WO2013001314A2

WO2013001314A2 - Physical exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2013001314A2
Application number: PCT/GB2012/051532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Phillip ROBERTON
Original assignee: Fitness Aspirations Limited
Priority date: 2011-06-29
Filing date: 2012-06-29
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: WO2013001314A3

Abstract

A physical exercise apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical device having first and second end regions, said first and second end regions being closable with closure means, at least one closure means being removable from the respective end region. The apparatus may have an outer contact surface having material of different densities over the contact surface.

Description

PHYSICAL EXERCISE APPARATUS

This invention relates to a physical exercise apparatus, especially a foam roller for performing a variety of exercises.

Conventional foam rollers are used in exercises in physiotherapy, Pilates, yoga, fitness and rehabilitation. They are conventionally solid foam structures with a smooth surface and have a variety of individual hardnesses depending on the desired result and/or the particular preference of a user. Foam rollers are ideal for stretching exercises and can help improve stability and flexibility of the user and are useful for assisting with core strength and balance training.

A user of such foam rollers generally has to carry their exercise equipment, including their exercise apparel and the foam roller, and any other personal equipment, often, in a relatively large bag.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a physical exercise apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical device having first and second end regions, said first and second end regions being closable with closure means, at least one closure means being removable from the respective end region.

Owing to this aspect, an exercise device can be provided in which items are storable within the device and kept safe between closable end regions of the device.

Preferably, the hollow cylindrical device is a plastics tubular device being circular cylindrical in form and is, advantageously, covered by a relatively thin foam layer. The foam layer may have a smooth outer contact surface or it may be contoured to enhance the user interface surface of the device.

Preferably, the first end region is closed by a fixed closure means and the second end region is closable with a removable closure means. Alternatively, all of the end closure means may be removable. The removable end closure means is advantageously in the form of a removable cap device. Advantageously, the hollow interior of the cylindrical device is divisible into a plurality of compartments.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a physical exercise apparatus comprising a cylindrical device having an outer contact surface having material of different densities over the contact surface.

Owing to this aspect of the present invention a physical exercise device can be provided to offer different degrees of massage to a use according to the differing densities of the material at the contact surface.

The cylindrical device may be hollow or solid, but preferably hollow with one or more of the ends of the hollow cylinder being closable by removable cap devices. In addition, it is preferable that the outer contact surface is contoured in order to provide and enhanced massaging surface.

In order that the present invention can be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is an exploded side view of a foam roller having a removable end cap,

Figure 2 is an end view of the roller of Figure 1 with an open end;

Figure 3 is an end view of the roller of Figure 1 with an end cap connected to the roller;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the foam roller, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the foam roller.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a foam roller 2 comprises a hollow circular cylindrical device 4, made of a suitable plastics material, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC). An outer surface of the cylindrical device 4 is covered with a foamed plastics layer 6 such as medium density neoprene rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which may have a contoured outer surface according to any desired pattern. Such contouring can be helpful in the handling of the roller 2 during exercise. The foam layer 6 is preferably attached to the cylindrical device 4 by any suitable means, such as adhering with a glue. The roller 2 has first and second opposite end regions 8 and 10, one or both of them being closable by closure means. One end can be closed by a fixed end wall (not shown) whilst the other is closable by a removable cap 12 (both ends in Figure 1 being closed by respective caps 12). The cap 12 is also preferably made of a suitable plastics material. In addition, the cap 12 can be of the push-in friction-fit type, as shown, which includes a first portion 12a of slightly narrower diameter than the internal diameter of the cylindrical device 4 and a second portion 12b of larger or the same diameter and which forms a flange which stoppingly abuts against the end of the cylindrical device 4. Alternatively, the cap can be of the screw-in type where the first portion 12a has a screw thread and the respective end region has a corresponding thread for receiving the cap 12. The end cap 12 may further be secured in the or each end region by one or more conventional spring-loaded balls which click the cap in place and hold it securely. Furthermore, the end cap 12 may be secured in the or each end region with a pin-in-slot connection arrangement, whereby the slot, which could be in either the cap 12 or the cylindrical device 4, is of an L-shaped form in which the pin is inserted and then the cap 12 is twisted to lock the cap 12 in place. In any of the alternatives for fixing the caps 12 in-place, ring seals 13 in the form of O-rings may be used as necessary in order to create a water-tight chamber.

In this way, a storage space is formed in the hollow cylindrical device 4 between the first and second end regions 8 and 10.

Referring to Figure 3, an outer surface 14 of the cap 12 has a pair of hemispherical indentations 16 to assist a user in removing and replacing the cap 12.

Referring to Figure 4, the outer surface of the layer 6 is contoured by way of a plurality of raised l-shaped projections 18 arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the roller 2. In addition, the projections 18 have a sloped longitudinal profile at an appropriate angle such that at one end 18a the amount the projection projects outwardly is less than the opposite end 18b. The result of this sloped longitudinal profile is that the part of the projections 18 which project outwardly the most presses deeper into soft tissue of the user. The projections 18 may be arranged to have any desired angular orientation to the longitudinal axis and also have any desired longitudinal profile which may be tailored to the type of massage therapy required.

Referring to Figure 5, the layer 6 is contoured by way of a plurality of outwardly projecting pyramidal shapes 18'. The result of this shape is that the part of the pyramidal projections 18' which project outwardly the most presses deeper into soft tissue of the user. The projections 18' may be of different shapes or be combined with other shapes to suit a particular use.

A carry strap (not shown) may also be adjustably connectable between the first and second end regions 8 and 10 in order transport the roller 2. It is in addition compact for travel purposes. With the roller (without the foam layer attached) 2 being around 380mm long and around 1 10mm in diameter, the design of the roller 2 results in a suitable travel companion. However, different size rollers would, of course, be a possibility. With the foam layer 8 attached the overall diameter of the roller is around 150mm.

The roller 2 is designed to withstand constant, heavy, and repeated use without breaking.

It is preferable that the hollow core of the roller 2 is divisible into a plurality of discrete compartments with the use of one or more wall portions. The wall portions are preferably ones which are removable and which are fittingly received within the hollow core in order to be placed in the desired location along the length of the roller according to the items to be stored therein.

One advantage of the roller 2 is that it can be constructed with less foam material than conventional foam rollers, since the foam is in layer form covering the cylindrical device 4.

The roller 2 may be used in a wide range of exercises from crunches to bicycles to push-ups to strengthen core muscles. It can thus be incorporated into daily workout routines. The roller 2 is designed for individuals of all levels of experience, from professional athletes to recreational exercise enthusiasts.

The foam outer surface layer 6 may comprise foam of differing densities to provide areas of differing depth of massage; the higher the density of a part of the foam layer 6 providing a greater depth of massage to the user. The foam layer 6 may be divided into separate discrete massage zones according to the differing densities of the foam, rather than a random pattern of the differing densities. In addition, the differing density zones are advantageous owing to the fact that different people have different pain thresholds. The different densities would, advantageously, be within the range on the Shore 00 scale from substantially 30 to substantially 70.

The storage space in the roller 2 could be filled with one or more weighted articles in order for the roller 2 to become a changeable weight piece of fitness equipment.

The colour of the roller 2 could be changed according to preference and/or suitability for a particular use, for example, different colours could be used to indicate different ranges of hardness for individual rollers 2 or even different ranges on the same roller 2, such that a multi-coloured roller 2 could be provided.

Furthermore, a removable fabric cover, made of a material such as LYCRA (Registered Trade Mark) or similar, could be provided to fit over the outside of the roller 2 in order to improve durability and/or comfort for users. If such a cover is removed, for whatever reason, it can be conveniently and safely stored in the roller 2.

Claims

1 . A physical exercise apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical device having first and second end regions, said first and second end regions being closable with closure means, at least one closure means being removable from the respective end region.

2. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hollow cylindrical device is covered by a relatively thin foamed plastics layer.

3. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the foamed plastics layer may have a smooth outer contact surface.

4. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the foamed plastics layer is contoured.

5. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the foamed plastics layer is contoured by way of a plurality of raised l-shaped projections arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical device.

6. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the l-shaped projections have a sloped longitudinal profile such that at one end the amount the projection projects outwardly is less than the opposite end.

7. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the foamed plastics layer is contoured by way of a plurality of outwardly projecting pyramidal shapes.

8. A physical exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end region is closed by a fixed closure means and the second end region is closable with a removable closure means.

9. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the removable closure means is a cap device.

10. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the removable end closure means is secured in the end region with a pin-in- slot connection arrangement.

1 1 . A physical exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow interior of the cylindrical device is divisible into a plurality of compartments.

12. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 1 1 , wherein the hollow interior of the cylindrical device is so divisible by removable wall portions.

13. A physical exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising ring seals between the closure means and the end regions of the cylindrical device.

14. A physical exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a carry strap adjustably connectable between the first and second end regions.

15. A physical exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the foamed plastics layer has different densities over the contact surface.

16. A physical exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a fabric cover.

17. A physical exercise apparatus comprising a cylindrical device having an outer contact surface having material of different densities over the contact surface.

18. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the different densities range on the Shore 00 scale from substantially 30 to substantially 70.

19. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the material is a relatively thin foamed plastics layer.

20. A physical exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the material may have a smooth outer contact surface.

21 . A physical exercise apparatus according to to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the material is contoured.

22. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the material is contoured by way of a plurality of raised l-shaped projections arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical device.

23. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the l-shaped projections have a sloped longitudinal profile such that at one end the amount the projection projects outwardly is less than the opposite end.

24. A physical exercise apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the foamed plastics layer is contoured by way of a plurality of outwardly projecting pyramidal shapes.