WO2007049896A1

WO2007049896A1 - Backbone sporting equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2007049896A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun Hyun Cho
Original assignee: Jun Hyun Cho
Priority date: 2005-10-26
Filing date: 2006-10-24
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Also published as: KR200405261Y1

Abstract

A backbone exercise device comprises a quadrangular frame formed by transverse members and longitudinal members; a device body having a pair of rotation shafts which are coupled to the quadrangular frame by vertical coupling parts and extend in a transverse direction, and a pair of head parts, a pair of body parts and a pair of hip parts which are cylindrically formed to be rotated about the rotation shafts, first parts of which are installed separately on one rotation shaft and second parts of which are installed separately on the other rotation shaft such that a transverse space is defined between the first parts and the second parts and longitudinal spaces are defined between two adjoining parts; rotary handle sections fixedly coupled to the body parts of the device body; and fixed handle sections formed on ends of the transverse members of the quadrangular frame.

Description

BACKBONE SPORTING EQUIPMENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a backbone exercise device, and more particularly, to a backbone exercise device which allows a user to actively move the backbone and/ or the muscles around the backbone in a comfortable supine posture in an effort to correct or treat the backbone, thereby strengthening the muscles around the backbone through stretching and accomplishing an exercise effect. Background Art

[2] When a human walks in an upright posture, the lower half of the body supports the upper half of the body, and the majority of shocks are applied to the backbone in the human body. Due to this fact, a phenomenon in which the backbone is bent occurs.

[3] As the backbone is bent leftward, rightward or forward due to lack of exercise for a long time resulting from the convenience of modern life or due to bad habits or incorrect posture developed through everyday life, the waist, the neck, the feet, the pelvis, the muscles, the stomach, the blood circulation, etc. are adversely influenced. As a consequence, the health of the human body is worsened, and various diseases are likely to be contracted. Also, due to the bending of the backbone, a person psychologically deteriorates, and a problem frequently occurs in that it is difficult to have a normal social life or go through daily life.

[4] In the conventional art, as a measure for exercising the backbone, a method is used in which the human body is suspended upside down and the muscles around the backbone are concentratedly stretched.

[5] However, in this method, since the stretching is implemented in a state in which the human body is suspended upside down, the ankles are likely to be hurt, the mechanism used for this method inhibits activity in that activity other than stretching cannot be conducted, and it is difficult and dangerous for an old, feeble or overweight person to use the mechanism.

[6] Further, other conventional backbone exercise devices encounter problems in that their constructions are complicated, bulky, heavy and expensive, so that it is inappropriate for the general public to use such backbone exercise devices. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a backbone exercise device which allows a user to actively move the backbone and/or the muscles around the backbone in a comfortable supine posture in an effort to correct or treat the backbone, thereby strengthening the muscles around the backbone through stretching and accomplishing an exercise effect. Technical Solution

[8] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a backbone exercise device comprising a quadrangular frame formed by transverse members and longitudinal members; a device body having a pair of rotation shafts which are placed on the quadrangular frame, are coupled to the quadrangular frame by vertical coupling parts and extend in a transverse direction to be parallel to each other, and a pair of head parts, a pair of body parts and a pair of hip parts which are cylindrically formed to be rotated about the rotation shafts, first parts of which are installed separately on one rotation shaft and second parts of which are installed separately on the other rotation shaft such that a transverse space is defined between the first parts and the second parts and longitudinal spaces are defined between two adjoining parts on each rotation shaft; rotary handle sections fixedly coupled to outer sides of the body parts of the device body such that the body parts can be rotated by moving arms grasping the rotary handle sections from sides toward the center of the human body; and fixed handle sections formed on ends of the transverse members of the quadrangular frame.

[9] According to another aspect of the present invention, three transverse members and four longitudinal members are assembled to have a lattice- shaped configuration.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, the vertical coupling parts are integrally coupled to the rotation shafts in the longitudinal spaces to extend downward in a vertical direction, and are defined with coupling holes through which fasteners pass to fasten the vertical coupling parts to two longitudinal members in a manner such that the width of the transverse space can be adjusted along the longitudinal members.

[11] According to another aspect of the present invention, the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts are made of EVA.

[12] According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts is formed with projections on both ends thereof.

[13] According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts is formed with protrusions for acupressure treatment on an outer surface thereof.

[14] According to still another aspect of the present invention, each of the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts has magnetic pieces attached to an outer surface thereof.

[15] According to a still further aspect of the present invention, each rotary handle section comprises 'L' -shaped coupling elements which are fixedly coupled adjacent to both ends on the outer side of each body part to be parallel to each other, and a handle which is connected to distal ends of the coupling elements.

Advantageous Effects

[16] Thanks to the features of the present invention, a user can actively move the backbone and/or the muscles around the backbone in a comfortable supine posture in an effort to correct or treat the backbone, thereby strengthening the muscles around the backbone through stretching and accomplishing an exercise effect. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a backbone exercise device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[19] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the backbone exercise device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[20] <Description of Reference Numerals for Main Parts of Drawings>

[21] 100: quadrangular frame 110: transverse member

[22] 120: longitudinal member 200: device body

[23] 210: vertical coupling part 211: coupling opening

[24] 212: screw 220: rotation shaft

[25] 230: head part 240: body part

[26] 250: hip part 260: transverse space

[27] 270: longitudinal space 280: projection

[28] 290: protrusion or magnet piece

[29] 300: rotary handle section 310: coupling element

[30] 320: handle 400: fixed handle section

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[31] Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[32] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a backbone exercise device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the backbone exercise device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[33] As shown in the drawings, the backbone exercise device according to the present invention comprises a quadrangular frame 100, a device body 200, rotary handle sections 300, and fixed handle sections 400.

[34] The quadrangular frame 100 will be first described.

[35] The quadrangular frame 100 is formed of round bars and has transverse members

110 and longitudinal members 120. In the quadrangular frame 100, three transverse members 110 are arranged side by side at regular intervals to be parallel to one another, and four longitudinal members 120 are arranged side by side at regular intervals to be parallel to one another and perpendicular to the transverse members 110, as a result of which the quadrangular frame 100 has a lattice- shaped configuration when viewed in its entirety.

[36] The quadrangular frame 100 supports the device body 200 in a manner such that the device body 200 is separated from the ground by a predetermined distance. The device body 200 is disposed between the transverse members 110 of the quadrangular frame 100, and head parts 230, body parts 240 and hip parts 250 which will be described below are disposed between the longitudinal members 120 of the quadrangular frame 100. The intervals between the transverse members 110 and between the longitudinal members 120 are determined depending upon the size of the device body 200.

[37] Next, the device body 200 will be described.

[38] The device body 200 is placed on the quadrangular frame 100, and the device body

200 has a transverse size which is slightly greater than that of the quadrangular frame 100, so that the quadrangular frame 100 can be completely accommodated within the boundary of the device body 200.

[39] The device body 200 comprises a pair of rotation shafts 220 which are coupled to the quadrangular frame 100 by vertical coupling parts 210 and extend in a transverse direction to be parallel to each other, and a pair of head parts 230, a pair of body parts 240 and a pair of hip parts 250 which are formed as cylinders to be rotated about the rotation shafts 220. The first parts of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 are installed separately on one rotation shaft 220, and the second parts of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 are installed separately on the other rotation shaft 220 such that a transverse space 260 is defined between the first parts and the second parts and longitudinal spaces 270 are defined between two adjoining parts on each rotation shaft 220.

[40] The head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 are arranged to face the corresponding parts of the human body. In general, the head part 230 has the shortest length, the hip part 250 has an intermediate length, and the body part 240 has the longest length.

[41] The cylindrical head parts 230, body parts 240 and hip parts 250 are fitted around the pair of rotation shafts 220 to be rotated about the rotation shafts 220. The respective pairs of head parts 230, body parts 240 and hip parts 250 are separated from each other so that a transverse space 260 is defined between the first and second parts of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250. The head part 230, the body part 240 and the hip part 250, which are fitted around each rotation shaft 220, are separated from one another at regular intervals so that the longitudinal spaces 270 are defined between two adjoining parts.

[42] Bearings are interposed between the rotation shafts 220 and the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250, so that the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 can only be rotated, and cannot be moved along the rotation shafts 220.

[43] Here, the coupling parts 210 are integrally coupled to the rotation shafts 220 in the longitudinal spaces 270, that is, between the head part 230 and the body part 240 and between the body part 240 and the hip part 250, to extend downward in a vertical direction. The coupling parts 210 are defined with coupling holes 211 so that two intermediate longitudinal members 120 can be fitted through the coupling holes 211. The coupling parts 210 and the longitudinal members 120, having passed through the coupling holes 211, are fastened to each other by fasteners 212. Therefore, with the transverse space 260 adjusted to have a predetermined width, by tightening the fasteners 212, the vertical coupling parts 210 are securely fixed to the rotation shafts 220 and the longitudinal members 120.

[44] The head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 are made of a cushioning material, preferably EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), which has excellent workability and cushioning properties.

[45] Each of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 is formed with projections 280 on both ends thereof. Due to this fact, when the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 are rotated through the active motion of a user, the muscles around the backbone and the projections 280 are engaged with each other so that the stretching effect of the muscles can be increased.

[46] Also, each of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 is formed with protrusions 290 for acupressure treatment on an outer surface thereof. Due to this fact, acupressure treatment can be effected on the muscles around the backbone. Moreover, each of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250 can have magnetic pieces 290 attached to an outer surface thereof. Due to this fact, blood circulation can be promoted by magnetic fields created by the magnetic pieces 290.

[47] The backbone exercise device constructed as mentioned above is used in a manner such that, when the user lies down, the backbone is placed in the transverse space 260, and the corresponding parts of the human body are respectively placed on the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250.

[48] The rotary handle sections 300 will be described. [49] The rotary handle sections 300 are fixedly coupled to the outer sides of the body parts 240 of the device body 200 such that the body parts 240 can be rotated by moving arms grasping the rotary handle sections 300 from sides toward the center of the human body.

[50] Each rotary handle section 300 comprises 'L' -shaped coupling elements 310 which are fixedly coupled adjacent to both ends on the outer side of each body part 240 to be parallel to each other, and a handle 320 which is integrally connected to the distal ends of the coupling elements 310.

[51] In a state in which the user lies down so that the backbone is placed in the transverse space 260 and the corresponding parts of the human body are placed on the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250, by extending both arms, grasping the handles 320 and rotating the coupling elements 310, the body parts 240 are rotated. Since the coupling elements 310 have the 'L' -shaped configuration, by moving the arms grasping the handles 320, as the coupling elements 310 collide against the outermost transverse members 110, the handles 320 are prevented from being further rotated, by which the body parts 240 can be rotated within a predetermined angular range.

[52] As a consequence, it is possible to stretch the muscles placed on the body parts 240 through active motion of the user, by which the upper part or the lower part of the human body is moved downward or upward.

[53] The fixed handle sections 400 are formed on ends of the transverse members 110 of the quadrangular frame 100 so that they can be grasped by extending arms in a lying- down posture. When the upper part of the human body is moved downward by the rotation of the head parts 230, the body parts 240 and the hip parts 250, since the stretching is effected with the arms pulled upward, the stretching effect can be further increased.

[54] As a result, not only it is possible to correct and treat the backbone, it is also possible to stretch the muscles around the backbone through the active motion of the user, so that not only can muscles be strengthened, but also aerobics can be conducted.

[55] After the user adjusts the width of the transverse space 260 as desired by moving the vertical coupling parts 210 on the longitudinal members 120 in conformity with the size of the user, by tightening the fasteners 212 through the coupling holes 211, the longitudinal members 120 and the vertical coupling parts 210 can be fastened to each other, whereby the transverse spaces 260 can be fixedly defined. Industrial Applicability

[56] As is apparent from the above description, the backbone exercise device according to the present invention provides advantages in that a user can actively move the backbone and/or the muscles around the backbone in a comfortable supine posture in an effort to correct or treat the backbone, thereby strengthening the muscles around the backbone through stretching and accomplishing an exercise effect.

[57] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

[1] A backbone exercise device comprising: a quadrangular frame formed by transverse members and longitudinal members; a device body having a pair of rotation shafts which are placed on the quadrangular frame , are coupled to the quadrangular frame by vertical coupling parts and extend in a transverse direction to be parallel to each other, and a pair of head parts , a pair of body parts and a pair of hip parts which are cylindrically formed to be rotated about the rotation shafts , first parts of which are installed separately on one rotation shaft and second parts of which are installed separately on the other rotation shaft such that a transverse space is defined between the first parts and the second parts and longitudinal spaces are defined between two adjoining parts on each rotation shaft ; rotary handle sections fixedly coupled to outer sides of the body parts of the device body such that the body parts can be rotated by moving arms grasping the rotary handle sections from sides toward a center of the human body; and fixed handle sections formed on ends of the transverse members of the quadrangular frame.

[2] The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein three transverse members and four longitudinal members are assembled to have a lattice- shaped configuration.

[3] The device as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vertical coupling parts are integrally coupled to the rotation shafts in the longitudinal spaces to extend downward in a vertical direction, and have coupling holes defined therein, through which fasteners pass to fasten the vertical coupling parts to two longitudinal members in a manner such that a width of the transverse space can be adjusted along the longitudinal members.

[4] The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts are made of EVA.

[5] The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the head parts , the body parts and the hip parts is formed with projections on both ends thereof.

[6] The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts is formed with protrusions for acupressure treatment on an outer surface thereof.

[7] The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the head parts, the body parts and the hip parts is attached with magnetic pieces on an outer surface thereof.

[8] The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each rotary handle section comprises

'L'-shaped coupling elements which are fixedly coupled adjacent to both ends on the outer side of each body part to be parallel to each other, and a handle which is integrally connected to distal ends of the coupling elements.