WO2015155707A1

WO2015155707A1 - Improved device for physical exercise

Info

Publication number: WO2015155707A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/052547
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicola SAULLE
Original assignee: Sport Sep S.R.L.
Priority date: 2014-04-09
Filing date: 2015-04-08
Publication date: 2015-10-15

Abstract

Described is a device for physical exercise, comprising a base structure (2) mainly extending along a predetermined direction (X) and having a first portion (4) and a second portion (5) alongside each other along the predetermined direction (X), a carriage (6) mounted on the first portion (4) and slidably movable relative to the base structure (2) substantially along the predetermined direction (X), a supporting element (9) installed on the carriage (6) and designed for supporting the trunk of a user, constraining means (23) supported by the base structure (2) in the vicinity of the second portion (5) and designed to engage the ankles of the user, a thrust plate (26) supported by the base structure (2) in the vicinity of the second portion (5) and designed to provide an opposing force to the user's feet, elastic means (32) designed to generate a force opposing the movement of the carriage (6) by the user.

Description

DESCRIPTION

IMPROVED DEVICE FOR PHYSICAL EXERCISE.

Technical field

This invention relates to a device for physical exercise designed to work the muscles of the lower limbs.

More specifically, this invention relates to a device for physical exercise which allows the muscle rehabilitation and strengthening of the entire rear chain of the lower limb. Background art

In the field of orthopaedic rehabilitation and in the field of sports training and the fitness sector, prior art isotonic machines are used which are designed for developing the bending muscles of the leg on the thigh, commonly known as leg-curls, which comprise a fixed support for the support of the user, who is either seated, lying down or standing up, depending on the type of machine. A mobile element to which the leg of the user is engaged, usually at the ankle, is constrained to the fixed support. The movable element is moved by oscillation of the leg whilst the thigh remains still.

The exercise obtained with these machines has the fulcrum of the movement on the knee and induces the use of other muscle groups, such as the gluteal muscles, the lumbar muscles etc. For this reason, the use of the prior art machines becomes impossible for individuals with muscular pathologies, such as contractures, sprains and pulls, or with osteoarticular pathologies related to the lumbar rachis, the hips, and the functionality of the ischiocrural, iliopsoas and gastrocnemius muscles.

More specifically, the individuals, athletes and non-athletes, who undergo surgery for reconstruction of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, with the technique which requires withdrawal of the tendons of the gracilis and semitendinous muscles for replacement of the ligament, cannot use the traditional machines for at least the first months after the operation, on account of the functional decrease of the rear part of the thigh which is inevitable with this type of operation.

The same applicant has developed a device for physical exercise which is able to overcome this shortcoming.

That device, whilst performing perfectly the required task, has, however, shown a clear limitation in the treatment of the entire muscular chain of the lower limb, in particular, not allowing the strengthening of important muscles such as the greatest gluteal muscle or the biceps muscle of thigh in their function of hip extensors or the quadriceps muscle of thigh in its function of leg extensor or the triceps muscle in its function as the plantar flexor of the foot.

In other words, starting from the premise that numerous muscles of the lower limb serve a dual function (for example, that of bending the knees and extending the hip), the limitation of the prior art devices is basically that of working the muscles only in one of their dual functions, for example in the bending movement of the knee but not in the extension of the hip. An example of such known devices is disclosed in document GB 325 435 which describes a device for physical exercise comprising a mobile carriage with elastic elements opposings the movement of the carriage away from a platform. Disclosure of the invention

The aim of this invention is to provide a device for physical exercise which able to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A further aim of this invention is to provide a device which is both easy and practical to use and, at the same time, inexpensive to make.

According to the invention, the above aims are achieved by a device for physical exercise comprising the technical features described in the appended claims.

Brief description of drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a preferred non-limiting example embodiment, and in which the drawing shows a schematic side elevation view, with some parts cut away or transparent to better illustrate others, a device for physical exercise made according to this invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a device for physical exercise made in accordance with this invention.

The device 1 comprises a base structure 2 which defines, for example by means of feet 3, a plane P for supporting on the ground.

The base structure 2 extends mainly along a predetermined direction X and has a first portion 4 and a second portion 5 alongside each other along the predetermined direction X.

The first portion 4 and the second portion 5 define, respectively, a first and a second supporting zone A, B designed to allow the positioning of a user in a prone position on the device 1 , with the trunk resting in the first zone A and the legs occupying the second zone B.

With reference to the orientation of the user on the device 1 , the first portion 4 is defined also as the front portion and the second portion 5 is defined also as the rear portion.

The device 1 comprises a carriage 6 at the first front portion 4 or supporting zone A. The carriage 6 is slidably movable relative to the base structure 2 along the above-mentioned direction X. In the embodiment illustrated, the carriage 6, has a plurality of wheels 7 designed to engage by rolling on respective tracks 8 supported by the structure 2 and of which only one is visible in the drawing.

The carriage 6 supports a supporting element 9, advantageously a cushion, designed to support the trunk of the user.

The supporting element 9 is connected to the carriage 6 by a hinge 10, to rotate relative to it and change its inclination relative to the plane P, depending on the specific requirements of the user. A rod 1 1 with respective screw or snap-on fixing means 12 allows the user to stably position the supporting element 9 at the desired angle.

The carriage 6 is slidably movable relative to the base structure 2 along the above-mentioned predetermined direction X between an advanced end position, illustrated in the drawing, wherein the supporting element 9 lies substantially superposed over the first portion 4, and a second withdrawn end position, not illustrated, wherein the supporting element 9 protrudes at least partly in a cantilever fashion from the first portion 4 and is at least partly superposed on the second portion 5.

Fixed to the carriage 6 there are also means 13 for gripping with the hands of the user. Advantageously, the gripping means 13 are mounted on the supporting element 9, at its front part and have the shape of handles designed to allow a comfortable hand grip.

As illustrated in the figure, the structure 2 of the device 1 comprises, at its front portion 4, for each side, an upper crosspiece 14 and a lower crosspiece 15. Since the accompanying drawing shows a side elevation view of the device 1 , it shows only one upper crosspiece 14 and only one lower crosspiece 15.

The upper and lower crosspieces 14, 15 are connected to each other by respective front and rear uprights 16, 17, again with reference to the orientation of the user.

A bracket 18 extending in a vertical direction towards the plane P extends from below the carriage 6.

The device 1 comprises a plurality of first and second elastic ties labelled, respectively, 19 and 20.

As illustrated in the drawing, the first ties 19 extend longitudinally between the bracket 18 and the front uprights 16, whilst the second ties 20 extend longitudinally between the bracket 18 and the rear uprights 17.

The first ties 19 have respective ends 19a, 19b opposite each other longitudinally designed to be rigidly connected, respectively, to the bracket

18 and to the front upright 16.

Similarly, the second ties 20, only partially illustrated in the drawing, have respective ends 20a, 20b opposite each other longitudinally designed to be rigidly connected, respectively, to the bracket 18 and to the rear upright 17.

The first and second ties 19, 20 extend longitudinally parallel to the direction X on opposite sides of the bracket 18 which defines, for the ties 19, 20, an engagement element.

The connection of the first and second ties 19, 20 to the bracket 18 is alternative, in such a way as to provide an elastic force opposing the movement of the carriage 6 selectively in one direction or the other.

More in detail, the drawing shows connected to the bracket 18 the first ties

19 which are designed to generate an elastic reaction force opposing the movement of the carriage 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow F1 .

The second ties 20, only partly illustrated in the drawing, are connectable to the bracket 18 alternatively to the first ties 19 (according to a configuration not illustrated) and are therefore designed to generate an elastic reaction force opposing the movement of the carriage 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow F2.

The above-mentioned ties 19, 20 define, together, elastic means 32 designed to generate a force opposing the movement of the carriage 6 by the user.

As mentioned above the ties 19, 20 are a plurality and the number of the ties actually operating is selected by the user depending on the amount of force he wants to exert. The second portion 5, or rear portion, comprises an upright 21 extending vertically supported by a beam 22 of which only a portion is shown in the drawing.

The upright 21 supports constraining means 23 designed to engage the ankles of the user.

The constraining means 23, of a substantially known type, comprise usefully two cylindrical elements 24 positioned parallel to each other at different heights relative to the plane P.

Advantageously, the beam 22 is coupled telescopically with a hollow longitudinal beam 25 of the structure 2, for varying the relative distance between the upright 21 and the first portion 4.

The device 1 also comprises means for adjusting and stopping, not illustrated, designed to be stably fix the mutual longitudinal position of the two beams 22, 25.

At the second portion 5, the device 1 also comprises a thrust plate 26 designed to provide an opposing force to the user's feet in a movement of extension of the lower limbs which determines a mutual moving away of the carriage 6 from the second portion 5, along the above-mentioned direction X.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, the device 1 comprises a frame 27 supporting the thrust plate 26.

The plate 26 advantageously has a surface portion 26a shaped like a spherical cap.

The plate 26 is connected to the underlying frame 27 by a ball joint 28.

The ball joint 28 defines, for the device 1 , means 29 for unstable connection of the plate 26 to the frame 27.

The frame 27 is connected to the structure 2 by a hinge 30 for rotating relative to it and moving the plate 26 between two configurations: a first operating configuration, illustrated in the drawing with a heavy line, wherein the plate 26 is facing the user (not illustrated) positioned with the trunk resting on the supporting element 9, and a second non-operating configuration moved away, illustrated in the drawing with a faint line, wherein the two cylindrical elements 24 defining the constraining means 23 are also facing the user.

The unstable connection means 29 comprise an element 31 for locking the ball joint 28 for fixing, as required, the position of the plate 26 relative to the frame 27.

According to alternative embodiments not illustrated, the thrust plate 26 is positioned on the upright 21 in a stable fashion, behind the cylindrical elements 24.

In use, in order to perform exercises for extending the lower limbs and after carrying out the suitable adjustments relating to the distance of the plate 26 relative to the first portion 4 and/or the inclination of the supporting element 9, the user, not illustrated, lies in the prone position with the trunk on the supporting element 9 and the feet in contact with the above-mentioned thrust plate 26.

Starting from this position, that is to say, with the legs bent, and with the thrust plate 26 in its first operating configuration, the user extends the legs exerting a related muscle force designed to overcome the resistance of the second ties 20 previously connected to the bracket 18.

In practice, the user connects and disconnects the first 19 or the second 20 ties to and from the bracket 18, depending on the type of exercise that is to be performed.

More specifically, if the user is interested in performing exercises, of the type described above, in which it is necessary to subject the lower limbs to an extension force, using, therefore, the thrust plate 26 as a contact element for the feet, they will connect the second ties 20 to the bracket 18. Alternatively, if the user is, on the contrary, interested in performing exercises with which to subject the lower limbs to a contraction force, that is to say, using the constraining means 23 to engage the ankles, they will connect the first ties 19 to the bracket 18. Advantageously, in the first case, that is, during the exercises of extension of the lower limbs, the plate 26, due to its unstable positioning (obtained thanks to the ball joint 28 and also the spherical cap shape of the surface portion 26a) makes it possible to activate in the user, who pushes against it with the feet, an effective stabilisation of the joints, especially of the tibiotarsus and the knee.

This invention achieves the preset aims and brings important advantages. More specifically, by using the device 1 described above it is possible to effectively exercise the entire muscular chain of the lower limbs, therefore allowing a response to a wide range of rehabilitation needs such as, for example, recovery of muscle lesions or functional restoration of the knee joint following reconstruction of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.

Thus, thanks to its versatility the device 1 advantageously allows to carry out on the same device both exercises requiring contraction force and exercises requiring extension force.

The term "thrust plate" means, in this description, any element with a portion designed to house at least partly the sole of a shoe or the foot to provide an opposing force to it, for example in the extension movement of the leg.

Claims

1 . A device for physical exercise, comprising

- a base structure (2) mainly extending along a predetermined direction (X) and having a first portion (4) and a second portion (5) alongside each other along the predetermined direction (X),

- a carriage (6) mounted on the first portion (4) and slidably movable relative to the base structure (2) substantially along the predetermined direction (X),

- a supporting element (9) installed on the carriage (6) and designed for supporting the trunk of a user,

- constraining means (23) supported by the base structure (2) in the vicinity of the second portion (5) and designed to engage the ankles of the user,

- a thrust plate (26) supported by the base structure (2) in the vicinity of the second portion (5) and designed to provide an opposing force to the user's feet,

- elastic means (32) designed to generate a force opposing the movement of the carriage (6) by the user, characterised in that the elastic means (32) comprise at least one elastic first element (19) designed to generate a force opposing the movement of the carriage (6) towards the second portion (5) and at least one elastic second element (20) designed to generate a force opposing the movement of the carriage (6) away from the second portion (5).

2. The device according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a frame supporting the thrust plate, the frame being connected to the structure.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the thrust plate (26) is movable at least between a first operating configuration wherein it faces the user positioned with the trunk resting on the supporting element (9) and a second non-operating configuration where they are far apart.

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the frame (27) is hinged on the base structure (2) for rotating the plate (26) between the two configurations.

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that it comprises means (29) for unstable connection of the plate (26) to the frame (27).

6. The device according to claim 5, characterised in that the means (29) for unstable connection of the plate (26) to the frame (27) comprise a ball joint (28).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterised in that the unstable connection means (29) comprise an element (31 ) for locking the ball joint (28) for fixing the position of the plate (26) relative to the frame (27).

8. The device according to any of the preceding claims , wherein the carriage has an element (18) for engaging the elastic means (32), characterised in that the first and second elements (19, 20) are ties and each have a respective first end (19a, 20a) connected to the engagement element and a respective second end (19b, 20b) connected to the base structure (2), the ties (19, 20) defining, respectively, the first and second elastic elements extending longitudinally parallel to the direction (X) on opposite sides of the engagement element (18).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterised in that the elastic means (32) comprise a plurality of ties (19, 20).

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that said plurality of ties (19, 20) is designed in such a way that the number of operating ties (19, 20) is selected by an user.