WO2014001748A2

WO2014001748A2 - Improvements in or relating to exercise devices and articles of clothing

Info

Publication number: WO2014001748A2
Application number: PCT/GB2013/000287
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leslie Pape
Original assignee: Physioflexx Limited
Priority date: 2012-06-29
Filing date: 2013-07-01
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: WO2014001748A3; GB201211746D0

Abstract

An exercise device for locating at a body joint, e.g. a knee joint, includes a clothing article 2, e.g. a sleeve, preferably knitted from a mixture of fibres of which about one-half are thermoregulating, moist ure-wicking hollow fibres, one-third are reinforcing fibres and one-sixth are elastic fibres. Sewn to the outside of the article 2 at respective opposite ends of the knee joint are pockets 4 of elastic material. Each pocket contains an elastomeric resistance element 6 which is preferably of polyoxymethylene co-polymer and which is slightly loose in the pocket and has a meandering middle portion 8 and non-meandering, flattish end portions 10. At the inside of the article 2 and sewn thereto and to the pockets 4 at proximal and distal end portions and middle portions of the pockets are inelastic anchoring tapes 18. 2Q and 22, respectively.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO EXERCISE DEVICES AND

ARTICLES OF CLOTHING

This invention relates to an exercise device and an article of clothing. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise device for location at a body joint and comprising an elongate, elastomeric element which meanders.

Owing to that aspect of the invention, the exercise device can be very simple in construction and to produce. In particular, the elastomeric element may be moulded in one piece.

The elastomeric element is preferably of polyoxymethylene (POM) and injection-moulded so as to give memory retention. It is the meander which promotes spring action of the element.

Generally speaking, the post-moulding, free state of the element has a shape dependent upon the shape of the body surface where the element is to be located. In a preferred embodiment for a knee joint, the meander is generally in a plane and meanders about a longitudinal axis of the element, whilst respective end portions of the element distal and proximal of the meander which do not meander are flat and in that plane, the design of the element being such as to avoid handing.

Advantageously, the exercise device includes a tightly fitting article of clothing which supports the element in its desired position at the joint. The article may include a pocket in which the element is housed and which restrains the element against movement out of its desired position. The clothing is of stretch material, so as to be body-hugging.

The material is preferably of thermoregulating, moisture-wicking character to be "cool" when the wearer's body is hot and "warm" when the ambient atmosphere is cold, as well as being strong and elastic.

The material is a mixture of thermoregulating moisture-wicking fibres, preferably hollow fibres of, e.g. polyester; reinforcing fibres, e.g. of polyamide; and elastic fibres, e.g. of elastane. The proportions are advantageously between roughly one quarter and one-half of the thermoregulating, moisture wicking fibres (the range between one-quarter and one-half being constituted by non-hollow fibres with other properties, if appropriate) roughly one-third by weight of the reinforcing fibres; and roughly one-sixth by weight of the elastic fibres. The exact percentages are not of importance. The polyester fibres may be those obtainable under the brand name "ADVANSA THERMO COOL®" or "ADVANSA THERMO COOL THIN™" from Advansa B.V. in Holland.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothing article comprising a material comprising thermoregulating, moisture-wicking fibres, reinforcing fibres and elastic fibres.

The exercise device (or the article of clothing per se) is usable in a variety of applications, for example in physiotherapy and general exercise particularly to strengthen the muscles, and, for example, in long air flights to reduce the risk of blood clotting.

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

Figure 1 is a posterior, lateral, perspective view of an exercise device located at a runner's body joint, in this version a knee joint and including an elastomeric element, portions of the runner's legs being indicated in dot-dash lines;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a slightly modified version of the elastomeric element but in a post-moulding, free state; Figure 2A is a sectional view taken along the line IIA-IIA of Figure 2;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the element of Figure 2 taken in the direction of the arrow III in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic medial view of the exercise device;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic medial view of the exercise device, but with the device turned inside out;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the elastomeric element of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic lateral view of a first modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's ankle joint;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 7, but in a post-moulding, free state;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic lateral view of a second modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's elbow joint;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 9, but in a post-moulding, free state;

Figure 1 1 is a diagrammatic posterior view of a third modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's lower back;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 11 , but in a post-moulding, free state;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic posterior view of a fourth modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's full back;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 13, but in a post-moulding, free state;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic lateral view of a fifth modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's wrist;

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic lateral view of a sixth modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's hand;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 5 or 16, but in a post-moulding, free state;

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic posterior view of a seventh modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's neck;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 18, but in a post-moulding, free state; Figure 20 is a diagrammatic lateral view of an eighth modified version of the exercise device located at a wearer's hip;

Figure 21 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in the device of Figure 20, but in a post-moulding, free state;

Figure 22 is a diagrammatic posterior view of two, ninth modified versions of the exercise device located at a wearer's respective shoulder joints; and

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic plan view of an elastomeric element included in each of the devices of Figure 22, but in a post-moulding, free state.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is seen a tightly fitting article of clothing 2 in the form of a body-hugging, knee-supporting sleeve 2 which is of stretch material. Sewn to the outside of the sleeve is a pocket 4 which houses the elastomeric element 6. The knee (and thus the element 6) is seen bent in Figure 1.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2, 2A and 3, the element 6 is generally in a plane and consists of a middle portion 8 which meanders in that plane in several bends about a longitudinal axis of the element 6 and two end portions 10 which are identical mirror images of each other and are substantially flat and in that plane. Each end portion 10 is symmetrical about that plane. The version of the element 6 shown in Figures 2, 2A and 3 has generally outwardly thinning end portions 10, whilst the version of Figure 1 has material-saving recesses 12, locating projections 14 around the recesses 12, and a reinforcing web 16 extending to the nearest bend in the meander 8.

Referring to the more diagrammatic Figures 4 and 5, there would normally be two identical elements 6 and 6' , one at each end of the knee joint in respective pockets 4 and 4 , each with an entrance (and exit) 12 at the inside of the sleeve 2 for its element 6 and 6' . Also, sewn at the inside of the sleeve 2 is an upper or proximal anchoring tape 18, a middle or intermediate anchoring tape 20 and a lower or distal anchoring tape 22,with non-stretch tapes 24 (of, e.g., silicone) at the upper or proximal mouth of the sleeve 2, to deter slipping-down of the proximal part of the sleeve 2.

In the free state of the meandering middle portion 8, its longitudinal centreline is slightly bowed, so as to be anteriorly convex when installed in its pocket 4.

The version shown in Figures 7 and 8 is specifically for the ankle joint, with its meandering middle portion 8 curving through a right-angle and its substantially flat end portions 10 at a right-angle to each other. The upper end portion 10 is in the plan of the meander, whilst the lower end portion 10 extends in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the meander. There may be a more distal, additional, anchoring tape 22' provided.

The version shown in Figures 9 and 10 is more specifically for the elbow joint and is very similar to that shown in Figure 6 for the knee joint, but with fewer loops in its meander.

The version shown in Figures 11 and 12 is specifically for the lower back, (where the spine provides a series of body joints) with a corset 2, and a series of upwardly extending, approximately parallel, pockets 4 distributed across the corset 2 posteriorly thereof and containing respective elements which extend rectilinearly in the free state.

The version shown in Figures 13 and 14 is specifically for the whole of the back and is similar to the version of Figures 11 and 12, although it includes a vest 2 instead of a corset 2.

The version shown in Figure 15 is specifically for the wrist joint, with a sleeve 2 which may be partially closed at its distal end and there formed with holes for the thumb and fingers, the sleeve having, at the back of the wrist, a pair of parallel pockets 4 containing their respective elements 6.

The version shown in Figure 16 is specifically for the hand, with its sleeve 2 in the form of an open-tipped glove having open finger and thumb tips, with a single proximal anchoring tape 18 for the substantially parallel pockets 4 of three of the fingers, a single proximal anchoring tape 18' for the pocket 4 of the little finger, and four individual, distal, anchoring tapes 22 for the respective fingers.

The element 6 seen in Figure 17 is relatively narrow and thin and is rectilinear in the free state shown. For use in the version of Figure 16, it would be thinner than for use in the Figure 15 version.

The version shown in Figures 18 and 19 is specifically for the neck, with, in effect, a corset 2 having posteriorly approximately parallel pockets 4 containing their respective elements 6 which are rectilinear in a free state.

The version shown in Figures 20 and 21 specifically for the hip joint, with two parallel pockets 4 and their respective elements 6 at each side of a pair of trunks 2. Again, the longitudinal centreline of the meandering middle portion 8 is slightly bowed.

The version shown in Figures 22 and 23 includes a vest 2 at the posterior of each shoulder of which are two substantially parallel pockets 4 containing their respective elements 6, whereof the meandering middle portions 8 are slightly bowed in a free state.

In all of the version described with reference to the drawings, the amplitude of the meander of the middle portion 8 is substantially constant and the recesses 26 of the meander interdigitate (i.e. as viewed along the longitudinal axis of the meander alternate recesses overlap each other). Having the recesses 26 interdigitating permits a wide range of bending of the knee before the resisting force becomes relatively high. The end portions 10 are non-meandering, in fact substantially flat, so that the bending of the element is concentrated into the meandering portion 8. The meandering portion 8 has the appearance of a rod bent to produce the meander and is of substantially rectangular, preferably square, cross-section. The element 6 is of polyoxymethylene copolymer. That supplied by Mitsubishi Engineering as Acetal, Grade F20-03 is presently preferred. It will be noted that there is only one element 6 per pocket 4, but it is loose in the pocket to the extent of being able to move to a limited amount longitudinally of itself and transversely of itself in its own plane. Having more than one element per pocket could lead to their acting in the manner of fasces and thus highly stiffly.

The clothing article 2 may be of a polyurethane-polyurea co-polymer fibre, known as elastane or LYCRA®, which allows muscle expansion as well as passage of air (as opposed to neoprene rubber which highly resists muscle expansion - and so can waste them - and is airtight - thus promoting excessive sweating, especially over several hours use, whereas the article 2 is to be suitable for all-day use). The article 2 is preferably a knitted fabric, which may be produced by circular knitting, of yarns of a mix of fibres, namely thermoregulating, moisture- wicking, hollow fibres, (which are "cool" in a hot atmosphere and "warm" in a cold atmosphere) for example "ADVANSA THERMO COOL®" polyester fibres; polyamide fibres (which give strength to the article 2) and elastane fibres (which give elasticity). Preferred proportions are about one-half by weight of polyester, about one-third by weight of polyamide and about one sixth by weight of elastane. The material gives relatively high compression of muscle and thus suppresses production of lactic acid and thereby reduces tiredness by keeping blood flowing through muscle. That avoids the use of narrow, non-integral straps, such as "VELCRO" support straps, which tend to dig into muscle and become highly uncomfortable over longish periods of use.

The anchoring tapes, such as 18, 20 and 22, are inelastic and are attached by sewing at the insides of the sleeve 2 and to the end portions and middle portions of the pocket 4, which are themselves elastic, to anchor those end and middle portions relative to the article 2. The tapes 18, 20 and 22 may instead be at the outside of the article, but again sewn to both the sleeve and the end portions of the pocket. The inelastic tapes 18 and 22 each extend over a sufficient proportion of the periphery of the elastic article as significantly to deter significant peripheral movement of the corresponding end portions 10 of the element 6 when the article is being worn.

The anchoring of the end portions of the pocket 4 and thus of the end portions 10 relative to the article 2 by the tapes 18 and 22 serves to promote full bending of the element 6 rather than the forces exerted by the end portions 10 simply stretching the material of the end zones of the elastic pocket 4. The tape 20 serves a similar purpose of anchoring the middle portion of the pocket 4 and thus of the middle portion 8 relative to the article 2.

Employing a knitted fabric for the article 2 has the advantage of allowing tighter knitting of selected areas of the article than of other areas. For example, if the fabric of the article 2 is knit more tightly ( and therefore less stretchably) at the inside of a bending motion (in other words at the inside of a joint) than at the outside thereof, the desired bending of the element is further promoted. Each pocket 4 has, at the inner surface of the article 2, an entrance (and exit) corresponding to the entrance 12 and in the form of a transverse mouth covered by a flap, which is sewn to the article 2 down each side of the mouth to restrain the element 6 from bowing outwards at the mouth.

The various versions of the device described with reference to the drawings are intended to act as muscle activators, in that each works naturally against physical movement and strengthens the adjacent muscle groups. Although usable to aid recovery following joint and/or muscle surgery or damage, the device may be used simply to maintain or increase fitness through exercise.

Claims

1. An exercise device for location at a body joint and comprising an elongate, elastomeric element which meanders.

2. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein said element consists of a middle portion which meanders and respective opposite end portions which do not meander.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the meander has a rectilinear longitudinal axis.

4. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the meander has a slightly bowed longitudinal axis.

5. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the meander has a longitudinal axis which curves through a right-angle.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the recesses of the meander interdigitate as viewed along said longitudinal axis of the meander.

7. A device according to Claim 2, or any one of Claims 3 to 6 as appended to Claim 2, wherein said end portions are flat.

8. A device according to Claim 2 or 7, or Claim 3 or 4 as appended to Claim 2, wherein said end portions are identical mirror images of each other.

9. A device according to Claim 7 as appended to Claim 5, wherein one of said end portions lies substantially in a plane of the meander and the other end portion lies substantially in a plane transverse to the plane of the meander.

10. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the meander has the appearance of a bent rod.

11. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said element is a one- piece moulding.

12. A device according to Claim 11 , wherein said element has been injection- moulded.

13. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said element is of polyoxymethylene.

14. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said element lies generally in a plane.

15. A device according to Claim 14, wherein said element is substantially symmetrical about said plane in which said element generally lies.

16. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the amplitude of the meander is substantially constant.

17. A device according to any preceding Claim and including a clothing article which serves to support said element in a desired position at said joint.

18. A device according to Claim 17, wherein the material of said article is a knitted fabric. 9. A device according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein said material of said article comprises thermoregulating, moisture-wicking fibres.

20. A device according to Claim 19, wherein said material of said article also comprises reinforcing fibres.

21. A device according to Claim 19 or 20, wherein said material of said article also comprises elastic fibres.

22. A device according to Claim 21 as appended to Claim 20, wherein the fibres of the material of said article are in the proportion of between about one-quarter to one-half for said moisture-wicking fibres, about one-third for said reinforcing fibres and about one-sixth for said elastic fibres.

23. A device according to Claim 18, or any one of Claims 19 to 22 as appended to Claim 18, wherein the knit is tighter over one or more selected areas of said article than over one or more other areas thereof.

24. A device according to Claim 23, wherein the knit is tighter at an inside of the joint than at an outside of said joint.

25. A device according to any one of Claims 17 to 24, wherein said clothing article has at the outside thereof a pocket housing said element.

26. A device according to Claim 25, wherein said element can move relative to said pocket to a limited extent both longitudinally and transversely of itself.

27. A device according to Claim 25 or 26, wherein an entrance to said pocket for said element is covered by a flap attached to said article at both lateral sides of said flap.

28. A device according to any one of Claims 25 to 27, wherein there is only a single such element in said pocket.

29. A device according any one of Claims 25 to 28, wherein said pocket and said article are of elastic material and an anchoring tape is firmly connected to a sufficient, but significant, proportion of an end portion of the article to prevent substantially movement of the corresponding end portion of said element transversely relative to the wearer's body joint during exercise.

30. A device according to Claim 29, wherein another anchoring tape is firmly connected to a sufficient, but significant, proportion of an opposite end portion of the article to prevent substantially movement of the corresponding end portion of said element transversely relative to the wearer's body joint during exercise.

31. A device according to Claim 29 or 30, wherein a further anchoring tape is firmly connected to a sufficient, but significant, proportion of a middle portion of the article to prevent substantially movement of the corresponding middle portion of said element transversely relative to the wearer's body joint during exercise.

32. A device according to any one of Claims 25 to 31 , wherein said article has at the outside thereof a plurality of such pockets containing such elements.

33. A device according to Claim 32, wherein, for all of said pockets at said article, there is only one said element per pocket.

34. A clothing article comprising a material comprising thermoregulating, moisture-wicking fibres, reinforcing fibres and elastic fibres.

35. An article according to Claim 34, wherein the fibres of the material of said article are in the proportion of between about one-quarter to one-half for said thermoregulating, moisture-wicking fibres, about one-third for said reinforcing fibres and about one-sixth for said elastic fibres.

36. An article according to Claim 35, wherein the proportion of said thermoregulating, moisture-wicking fibres is about one-half.

37. An article according to any one of Claims 34 to 26, wherein said thermoregulating, moisture-wicking fibres are hollow.

38. An article according to any one of Claims 34 to 37, wherein said material of said article is a knitted fabric.

39. An article according to Claim 38, wherein the knit is tighter over one or more selected areas of said article than over one or more other areas thereof.