WO2010063870A1

WO2010063870A1 - Exercising and therapy device

Info

Publication number: WO2010063870A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/000100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arto Kojo
Original assignee: Bodybow Oy
Priority date: 2008-12-05
Filing date: 2009-12-01
Publication date: 2010-06-10
Also published as: EP2352476A4; FI8286U1; FIU20080389U0; WO2010063870A4; EP2352476A1

Abstract

Exercising and therapy device to rehabilitate muscles, and to exercise coordination and balance, and to treat a backbone and joints thereof. The exercising equipment and therapy device includes a curved plane element (1) to perform movements and rehabilitating measures, exercising measures and/or treatment measures on and by the plane element (1). The exercising equipment and therapy device can be set to an immobile position. In this position the plane element (1) leans against the base (4) on its ends (2, 3) or on its end zones (21, 31). The immobile position has been meant into the rehabilitation use, into the exercising use and/or for the treatment use of the muscles and of the backbone and the joints thereof, the exercising equipment and therapy device can also be set to a swinging moveable position. In this position the plane element (1) leans against the base (4) on its curved part (11), which is between the ends (2, 3) or between the end zones (21,31) thereof. The swinging moveable position is meant for the exercising of the coordination and the balance. It is essential to the invention, that to secure the staying of the exercising equipment and therapy device in place in the immobile position a projection part or projection piece (5) is fixed to the end (2, 3) or to the end zone (21, 31) of the curved plane element (1), which projection part is in the inner surface of the plane element (1), advantageously in the vicinity of the end edge or of the end zone, in other words in the vicinity of the brim edge, and length of which projection part or projection piece is longer than the width of the curved plane element (1), in which case the projection part or the projection piece extends outside both side edges of the curved plane element.

Description

Exercising and therapy device

The target of the invention in question is an exercising equipment and therapy device, which is in accordance with the introduction of the claim 1, especially to rehabilitate body muscles, such as back muscles, stomach muscles and foot muscles, to practice movement coordination and balance and to treat backbone and its joints.

Nowadays, both in the raising of the condition and in a physical therapy as well as for improving muscle condition of the back and of the stomach and to treat pain condition of the backbone and the joints relating thereto, usually different bend trainings and stretching trainings, which are performed either on a carpet or on a training bench, which is planned to this kind of a purpose and which are both fixed training benches and breaking training benches, which are meant for trip use. The most significant drawback of the carpet or of the bench is the fact that the training cannot be directed to the backbone, to the joints thereof and not to the muscles of the back and of the stomach on the best possible effect but the training loads considerably back and stomach outsider muscles, especially buttock muscles and quadriceps, which is likely weakens the effect and profitability of the exercise. From harmful effects have to mention yet, that the starting position of stretching exercises restricts as well as on the carpet as also on the bench, almost without exception, to the resting position, that is the muscle is non-stretching, whereby maximization of the course of the stretching is not possible.

Nowadays it is generally used the exercise cycles, treadmills and rising onto a bench for improving the condition of foot muscles in addition to run trainings. Even though the trainings of this kind can be very well used to develop the condition of foot muscles, however, one cannot combine with the acquisition of the muscle condition by them the training of the balance and of the optimal movements coordination that are required for example in skating, skate-skiing or alpine skiing to. The weaknesses of the devices of this kind also are that their structure is complex and that they are expensive and difficult to use. Primary object of the present invention is to eliminate drawbacks and weaknesses, which are related to the earlier exercising and training devices, and to accomplish a new device, which is more versatile and more suitable to all kinds of user groups than the earlier ones, and which could be used for nearly all practicing and rehabilitating of the body.

These objects have been generally reached by the exercising and therapy device which has been mentioned in the beginning, the characteristics features of which have been presented in the characteristic part of the enclosed independent claim. Relating to other essential features of the exercising and therapy device reference is made to the depending claims of the enclosed set of claims.

So the invention is based on that ingenious insight that the exercising and therapy device, which functions as a training base comprises the plane element which serves as the training base and which has been shaped at least partly curved, advantageously mainly curved. Then the gravity can be used to intensify training movements and a starting position of stretching or bending training can be totally freely chosen, and at the same time the curved form of the plane element follows the backbone and supports the mobility of the backbone, and at the said starting position, a starting stretch with a desired magnitude is obtained easily to a muscle group, which increases the efficiency of the movements per- formance essentially.

Turned into the swinging position, the exercising and therapy device can be used as an excellent practicing equipment for running and for skating and for skate-skiing as well as for alpine skiing, which can be used to improve an exertion force and to develop balance combined with the circulation of the body, also advantageously as a declivity device of a leisure, such as an dancing or as a swinging board.

One can state as a summary, that the exercising and therapy device according to the present invention can be considered as a portable gym, the user group of which reaches from children to adults and from frail ones to top athletes. The idea of the invention is thus to adapt the form of the curve, most advantageously the form of the asymmetric curve and choice of the own place on the curved base in different starting positions and movements course, which leaves in a new way, already at the start position, from the stretching. In many stomach exercises and back exercises and side exercises a support can be applied by feet from a a lower part of a wall for having a sufficient stability. One can state as a summary, that which user group reaches from frail ones from the child- ren to the adults and to the top athletes. The invention is described in the following more detailed by means of a preferred embodiment thereof referring to the accompanying drawing, where

FIG.1 presents a combined exercising and therapy device according to the invention as a perspective view, which can be used as the declivity device of a leisure, such as the danc- ing or as the swinging board,

FIG.2 presents the exercising and therapy device of Figure FIG.l that has been equipped with a guard,

FIG.3 presents a partial side view of the end or of the end zone of the curved plane element of the exercising and therapy device, and FIG.4 presents a partial side view of the end or of the end zone of the curved plane element of the exercising and therapy device.

Figures FIG.1 and FIG.2 are referred to. As shown in Figures, the device according to an advantageous application example of the invention comprises a plane element 1, which has been shaped at least partly curved from its profile and which serves as the training base on it to perform the desired movements, rehabilitation and training measures and/or treatments.

In the immobile position the curved plane element 1 will lean as supported by the edges of its ends 2, 3 against a base, like against a floor or against suitable supports. By using the supports, the inclination of the training base can be adjusted and this way the same can be changed, i.e. the length of the course and correspondingly the load effect of the gravity can be added or reduced. This kind of an immobile position is meant into the rehabilitation use, into the practicing use and/or for the treatment care use especially of the back muscles and of the stomach muscles and of the backbone and of the joint thereof. The training base can also be optionally set to the position, where the same is swingingly moveable. In that case the exercising and therapy device will lean against the base 4 from its curved part 11, which is between the edges of the ends 2, 3, in other words the curved plane element 1 is against the base. This swinging position is meant especially to practice movement coordination of the foot muscles and the balance. The exercising and therapy device comprising the curved plane element, when turned into the swinging position, makes possible to arrange different competitions, such as dancing and/or running in place.

In this context one must state it that which material the curved plane element 1 has been made from is not the most essential from the point of view of the invention. However, it is advantageous that the plane element is made from such a material, which does not yield unnecessarily under the user, when bent to a curve, and that the same lasts without fracture the load directed by the user to it. The curved plane element, which is strong enough, can be made from a board of plywood or plastic that is for example about 15 - 25 mm strong, advantageously 20 mm strong.

In the example according to Figures FIG.l and FIG.2, the profile of the curved plane element is asymmetric. One must emphasize that the said profile can also be totally symmetrical, for example a part of the circumference of a circle.

The plane element 1 according to the example comprises.

• The first end zone 21 , which is essentially straight and which limited to the edge of the first end 2, which is in Figure the end zone on the left side, and the length of which is advantageously in the range between 8 - 20 cm. So that the aim of the curved plane element 1 to yield will not increase too much nor the strength of the plane element has to be expanded bigger than mentioned 20 mm, the length of the first straight end zone must be restricted no more than 30 cm.

• The second end zone 31, which is essentially straight and which is limited to the edge of the second end 3, which is in Figure the end zone on the right side, and the length of which is advantageously selected to be between 20 - 30 cm. So that the aim of the curved plane element 1 to yield will not increase too much nor the strength of the plane element has to be expanded bigger than mentioned 20 mm, the length of the first straight end zone must be restricted no more than 40 cm. • The curved part 11, which is between the first end zone 21 and the second end zone

31 and the radius of curvature of which is changing or constant and and selectable be- tween 20 - 50 cm, most advantageously however between 30 - 36cm.

In order to keep the user group of the exercising and therapy device as wide as possible, i.e. from children to adults, it is advantageous that the curvature radius of the curved plane element 1 is changing so that at on the side of the end of the first edge zone 21 the radius curvature is smaller than on the side of the end of the second edge zone 31 to make versatile training businesses possible, or vice versa.

To expand the physical training stress, especially to intensify and to complicate the rehabilitating and/or the practicing of the muscles, the exercising and therapy device can be equipped with a band loop of elastic material (not presented in Figures). For a band loop is extremely suitable a cloth covered elastic or cord, which is about 1 cm strong. In practice the band/strap loop/link can be placed for example around the user's neck, in which case load and effect of the bending and/or of the stretching trainings can be essentially expanded. Furthermore, the exercising and therapy device can placed to hang from the link/loop on the wall (not presented in Figures).

The band/strap loop/link can be fastened detachably to one end zone 21 of the plane element 1, for example to the first edge zone 21, advantageously either between a support piece 9 fastened onto the outer surface of the end zone of the plane element and a pad 7 or between the support piece and the edge zone of edge of the end 2 or to section of the projection part or of the projection element, which on the back surface of the end zone of the plane element. It is advantageous that the band/strap loop/link could be glided through plane element such that one can hold on to the strap/band element both from the side of outer surface of the plane element and from the side of the inner surface of the plane ele- ment. However, it is more advantageous to equip for the swing use the exercising and therapy device with two ban/strap loops/links, in which case the effectiveness of a kick practice, of a twisting practice and of the run practice can be increased by keeping manually shuts from the bands/straps during the training movements.

To secure the staying of the exercising and therapy device essentially in place in the immobile position, while the exercising and therapy device is supported by its edges of ends 2, 3 against the base, there is fastened to both end zones 21, 31 of the curved plane element 1 at the side of the inner surface, in other words at the inner curve side of the curved plane element 1, in the immediate vicinity of the edges of the ends 2 and 3, in other words in the immediate vicinity of the extreme ends the projection part or the projection piece 5, length of which is bigger than that of the curved plane element and which extends outside the side edges of the curved plane element 1.

The projection parts or the projection pieces 5 are of wood and the same have been fastened, in this example, on the side of the inner surface of the curved plane element to the brim edges of the end zones 21, 31, so that the exercising and therapy device will lean most advantageously against the base by the projection parts or by the projection pieces. It is advantageous that the inhibition elements of the sliding, which are for example rub- ber sleeves made of non-sulfur rubber and which do not leave traces when moving or sliding on the surface of the base, have been fitted around the heads of the projection parts or of the projection pieces to inhibit sliding of the exercising and therapy device on the base 4.

If the exercising or therapy device is made of plastic, the projection parts or the projection pieces 5 can be formed in the same casting processes as a curved plane element 1 is made, 1.

Reference is made to FIG.2, for making the use of the exercising or therapy device as comfortable as as easy as possible, the outer circumference of the curved plane element 1 comprises the pad 7, which extends at least partly over the length of the part 11 that is between the head edges 2, 3 of the plane element. Further the pad may be covered by a guard 8 or protection element, which may be also arranged to cover the plane element totally or an essential part of the plane element. It is possible to measure the pad also such that the same covers totally the outer circumference of the curved plane element. The fact of how the pad, and the possible guard or the protection element above is, is fastened is not the most essential from the point of this invention, however it is preferred, that the plane element 1 with hard surface extends as little as possible outside the side edges of the pad. It is preferred to choose the material of the pad, such that the same slides as little as possible on the skin or on a clothing of the user while making possible twisting of the exercising or therapy device on base in the swing use.

To intensify the condition exercises and therapy exercises, especially to support and to receive the curve form of the back or of side, when the exercising and therapy device is used in the immobile state, the exercising and therapy device is provided, most advantageously, with a shaped support piece 9 of hard material, which is fastened to the outer surface or to outer circumference of the curved plane element, advantageously to the end zone 21 , 31. It is advantageous that the support part 9 is located at the end zone 21 of the plane element, which curves asymmetrically and more mildly, as indicated in the figures, and/or at the end zone 31 of the plane element, which curves more steeply.

Reference is made to FIG.3 and FIG.4, which present as a side view the end 2, 3 or the end zone 21, 31 of the curved plane element of an exercising and therapy device, by means of which examples the exercising and therapy device is essentially immobile on the base. In the examples of Figures, the end 2, 3 or the end zone 21, 31 of the curved plane element 1 is provided with a lengthening 10. The lengthening is provided with a projection part or with a projection part 5, around the ends of which have been arranged the elements 6 against sliding, which are for example rubber rings, which have been made of non-sulphur FIG.3 and FIG.4, which present as a side view the end 2, 3 or the end zone 21, 31 of the curved plane element of an exercising and therapy device, by means of which examples the exercising and therapy device is essentially immobile on the base. In the examples of Figures, the end 2, 3 or the end zone 21, 31 of the curved plane element 1 is provided with a lengthening 10. The lengthening is provided with a projection part or with a projection part 5, around the ends of which have been arranged the elements 6 against sliding, which are for example rubber rings, which have been made of non- sulphur rubber. In the example of FIG.3, the lengthening 10 of the plane element 1 comprises a bent part of the plane element, a free brim edge of which is limited to the end edge of the level element, in other words to the end edge of the exercising and therapy device. The bending angle of the lengthening in relation to the outer surface of the plane element is > 90°. In the example of FIG.4, the lengthening 10 of the plane element 1 is composed of a piece, which s attached, for example by screw fastening means or by etc., to the end edge of the plane element, which extends from the surface level of the curved plane element 1 at an angle that is > 90°. The element against sliding may also be a rub- ber piece with a groove, in which case the groove receives the free end edge of the plane element and the groove piece forms the said element against sliding as such. Then it will be advantageous that the inhibition element of the sliding has been stiffened with an embedded element of hard material.

The invention is described above only by means of an advantageous example thereof. One must understand that this is not intended to limit the invention by any means, and as it is evident to any skilled in the art, the invention may be varied within the scope defined by the accompanying claims. Hence, in general, the device according to the invention can have a curve form of a circle or an asymmetric curve form, which changes continuously from its radius of curvature and between the ends of which there are at all no direct parts.

Claims

1. Exercising and therapy device for rehabilitating especially muscles, such as back muscles and stomach muscles and foot muscles, as well as for practising coordination and balance and for treating a backbone and joints of the backbone, which exercising equipment and therapy device comprises an essential part a plane element (1) having at least partly a curved profile to perform desired movements and rehabilitation measures, training measures and/or treatments measures on and by the plane element (1), and which exercising equipment and therapy device can be optionally set - to an essentially immobile position, in which case the plane element (1) leans against the base (4) on the ends (2,3) or on the end zones (21, 31), which immobile position is meant into the rehabilitation use, into the practicing use and/or into the treatments use of especially the back muscles and the stomach muscles and the backbone and the joints thereof, or - to a position, which is swinging movable, in which case the plane element (1) leans against the base (4) from its curved part (11) that is between the ends (2, 3) or the end edges (21,31), which swinging position is been meant for the practicing of especially the foot muscles as well as the coordination and the balance, characterized in, that to secure the staying of the exercising equipment and the therapy de- vice in place in the immobile position a projection part or a projection piece (5) is fastened to the side of the inner surface of the plane element (1), advantageously to the vicinity of the end (2, 3) or of end zone (21, 31) of the curved plane element (1), in other words of a brim edge, length of which projection part or projection piece is bigger than width of the curved plane element (1), in which case the projection part or the projection part extends outside both side edges of the curved plane element.

2. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 1, characterized in, that inhibition elements (6) of the sliding, which are for example rubber tires that are made of non- sulphur rubber, are fitted around heads (6) of the projection parts or projection pieces (5),.

3. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 1 and/or 2, characterized in, that there is a pad (7) on the outer surface or on the outer circumference of the curved plane element (1)?

4. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 3, characterized in, that at least on above the pad (7) there is a guard or protection element (8).

5. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that on the outer surface or on the outer circumference of the curved plane element (1), advantageously in the end zone (21, 31), there is a formed support part (9) of hard material for supporting and for receiving the form of the back or the curve form of the side, the support part (9) is located in the end zone (21) of the asymmetrically curving plane element, which curves more mildly, and/or in the end zone (31) of the asymmetrically curving plane element, which curves more steeply.

6. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the end (2, 3) or the end zone (21, 31) of the curved plane element (1) is equipped with lengthening (10) which is provided with the projection part or with the pro- jection piece (5), such as the rubber rings, which have been made from non-sulphur rubber, and that the inhibition elements (6) of the sliding are arranged around the heads of the projection parts or of the projection pieces.

7. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 6, characterized in, that the lengthening (10) of the plane element (1) is a part that has been fastened to the end edge of the plane element (1) extending from surface level of the curved plane element (1) at an angle, which is > 90°.

8. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 6, characterized in, that the lengthening (10) of the plane element (1) is composed of a part of the plane element (1) which is limited to the end edge of the plane element which is bent to an angle, which is > 90°.

9. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 6, characterized in, that the inhibition element (6) of the sliding is composed of an elongated and grooved rubber part, wherein the groove receives a free end of the plane element (1).

10. Exercising and therapy device, which is in accordance with claim 9, characterized in, that the inhibition element (6) of the sliding is stiffened by an embedded element of had material.