WO2016026047A1

WO2016026047A1 - Physical training accessory and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2016026047A1
Application number: PCT/CA2015/050795
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude GOYETTE
Original assignee: Entraineur Global 360 Inc.
Priority date: 2014-08-20
Filing date: 2015-08-20
Publication date: 2016-02-25
Also published as: CA2958916A1; CA2958916C

Abstract

A limb actuable physical training accessory is provided, that comprises a base, a docking element mounted to a top surface of the base, a top head removably mounted to the docking element and being configured for grabbing, and a plurality of wheels mounted to the base. The docking element is configured for receiving a limb other than a hand when the top head is removed therefrom, and the base is configured to translate upon translation of the top head mounted to the docking element, or upon movement of the limb received in the docking element.

Description

PHYSICAL TRAINING ACCESSORY AND USE THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to physical training accessories, and use thereof for training. BACKGROUND

The field of physical training has gained considerable attention and recognition over the last decades, such that numerous exercises exist and may be recommended for a specific individual having customized needs. Already existing exercises are sometimes revisited with variants or adapted to trends that allow physically training different parts of the body more efficiently. There is therefore a need for physical training accessories which can serve multiple purposes and allow an individual to perform a wide variety of such exercises.

With the advent of numerical technologies, it is now possible to easily access a wide variety of content pertaining to physical training. For example, DVDs of physical training programs may be bought in stores, or physical training content may be found on the internet through web sites, including video sharing sites, blogs, etc. It therefore became easier to practice physical training at home. There is thus a need for physical training accessories which can serve multiple purposes and therefore allow saving on space and costs. Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for a physical training accessory which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the aforementioned prior art problems.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address at least one of the above mentioned issues.

According to a general aspect, there is provided a limb actuable physical training accessory, comprising: a base; l a docking element mounted to a top surface of the base; a top head removably mounted to the docking element and being configured for grabbing; and a plurality of wheels mounted to the base; the docking element being configured for receiving a limb other than a hand when the top head is removed therefrom, and the base being configured to translate upon translation of the top head mounted to the docking element, or upon movement of the limb received in the docking element.

According to another general aspect, there is provided a use of the physical training accessory described herein for physical training. According to another general aspect, there is provided a kit for assembling a limb actuable physical training accessory, comprising: a base; a docking element mountable to a top surface of the base; a top head removably mountable to the docking element and being configured for grabbing; and a plurality of wheels mountable to the base; the docking element being configured for receiving a limb other than a hand when the top head is removed therefrom, and the base being configured to translate upon translation of the top head or upon movement of the limb received in the docking element. The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of its optional embodiments, which is given for illustrative purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a limb actuable physical training accessory according to an embodiment;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a base according to an embodiment; Figure 2b is a top view of the base shown in Figure 2a;

Figure 2c is front elevation view of the base shown in Figure 2a;

Figure 3a is top view of a supporting element according to an embodiment;

Figure 3b is a cross-section view of the supporting element shown in Figure 3a; Figure 4a is a perspective view of a docking element according to an embodiment;

Figure 4b is a top view of the docking element shown in Figure 4a;

Figure 4c is a cross-section view of a portion of the docking element shown in Figure 4a;

Figure 4d is a front elevation view of the docking element shown in Figure 4a;

Figure 5a is a perspective view of a top head according to an embodiment; Figure 5b is a front elevation view of a top head removably mounted to a docking element, according to an embodiment;

Figure 6a is a perspective view of a limb actuable physical training accessory in use, according to an embodiment;

Figure 6b is a perspective view of the limb actuable physical training accessory shown in Figure 6a in use;

Figure 6c is a perspective view of the limb actuable physical training accessory shown in Figure 6a in use;

Figure 6d is a perspective view of a limb actuable physical training accessory in use, according to another embodiment; and Figure 6e is a perspective view of the limb actuable physical training accessory shown in Figure 6d in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features described herein and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

In addition, although the optional embodiments described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises various components, and although they may consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the limb actuable physical training accessory, as briefly explained and as can be easily inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring to Figure 1 , broadly described, the invention relates to a limb actuable physical training accessory 20 (also herein referred to as "physical training accessory 20") that comprises a base 30 and a docking element 40 mounted to a top surface 58 of the base 30. It will be readily understood that the term "physical training" is non-restrictive and is intended to refer to exercising resulting from moving the accessory described herein. The expression "physical training" can therefore be replaced with terms known to be equivalent by a person skilled in the art. Besides, the term "user" is used herein to describe a male or female, child or adult, without limitation as to his age or gender. The masculine gender is used throughout to simplify the description.

Referring to Figures 2a-c, the base 30 can vary in shape and thickness, provided the top surface 58 features a sufficiently large area for the docking element 40 to be mounted thereto, and provided the docking element 40 mounted thereto is sufficiently large for receiving a limb, as described below. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2a-c, the base 30 is disc-shaped. In other embodiments, the base 30 can be a rectangular prism. In one embodiment, the base 30 can feature apertures or cavities. The base 30 can be made of wood, metal, plastic, rubber, or any other material or combinations thereof having properties enabling sustaining a weight common to a human being.

Referring to Figures 4a-d, in one embodiment, the docking element 40 can be a circular band-shaped element. In a further embodiment, the docking element 40 can feature a bottom wall. This latter embodiment can be advantageous when the base 30 features a cavity towards its center point such that the docking element 40 extends beyond the bottom surface 56 of the base 30, in that the docking element 40 can provide a platform for receiving a limb other than a hand, as will be discussed in more details below. The docking element can be made of metal, plastic, wood or other materials or polymers suitable or combinations thereof for allowing docking of the top head described below. In one embodiment, the docking element 40 can be mounted to a rather flat base 30, provided the docking element 40 is thick or rigid enough not to deform or deviate substantially when there is actuation of a top head as described below mounted thereon, or a limb received therein. In another embodiment, the base 30 can feature a protrusion or a supporting element 32, as shown in Figures 1 , 2a-c and 3a-b. The supporting element 32 can be an empty disc-shaped element providing at least one wall for mounting the docking element 40. The supporting element 32 can vary in shape, size, thickness and diameter, provided the docking element 40 can be mounted to the base 30. It follows that the supporting element 32 and the docking element 40 can be a sole piece mounted to the base 30, and to which the top head described below can be removably mounted.

Referring to Figures 1 , 4 and 5, the physical training accessory 20 further comprises a top head 50 removably mounted to the docking element 40 and being configured for grabbing, and a plurality of wheels 60 mounted to the base 30. Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the top head 50 can vary in shape provided the top head 50 can be mounted to the docking element 40 and is configured for grabbing. Referring to Figure 5, the top head 50 can feature a docking surface 46 for docking the docking element 40. In one embodiment, the docking surface 46 and the docking element 40 can be connected by fasteners, hooks, clips or other devices of the like. Preferably, the docking surface 46 and the docking element 40 can be connected by means that allow easily mounting the docking surface 46 to the docking element 40, and easily removing the docking surface 46 from the docking element 40. In one embodiment, the docking surface 46 and the docking element 40 can feature tread or teeth configured to complement each other and allow removably docking the top head 50 in the docking element 40. In another embodiment, the top head 50, or the docking surface 46, and the docking element 40 can be deformable, such that the top head 50 can be removably mounted to the docking element 40 by applying an external pressure to the top head 50. Referring to Figures 4a-d and 5b, in a particular embodiment, the docking surface 46, and the docking element 40 can have conical shapes configured in such a manner that, upon shoving the docking surface 46, down the docking element 40, at least one of the two of said components can deform, thereby provoking a tension allowing to hold the components in place. In further embodiments, the top head 50 or the docking element 40 can feature prongs for maintaining their assembly in place. Such embodiments advantageously facilitate the removal of the top head 50 from the docking element 40 and allow a user not to carry around tools for disassembling the top head 50 and the docking element 40. Referring to Figures 5a-b, the top head 50 can feature a contact surface 48. A physical trainer or user can grab the contact surface 48 for translating the physical training accessory 20, as explained below, and therefore physically train. The contact surface 48 and the docking surface 46 can or can not be made of the same materials. The contact surface 48 and the docking surface 46 can therefore be mounted to each other and thereby constitute the top head 50, or can be formed as a sole piece through molding, carving, etc. The top head 50, and more specifically the contact surface 48 and/or the docking surface 46, can therefore be made of rubber, plastics, or other materials or polymers having properties enabling proper support of an individual grabbing the physical training accessory 20 through the top head 50. In some embodiments, the contact surface 48 can be made of or coated with anti-adhesive material preventing a user from losing grip and potentially hurting himself in doing so. In one embodiment, the contact surface 48 can be made of or coated with wear-resistant materials. In one embodiment, the contact surface 48 can be a half-sphere allowing a user to firmly grab the top head 50 without having to meticulously align his hands with the top head 50, and therefore the physical training accessory 20 as a whole, while training. In other embodiments (not shown), the contact surface 48 can feature grooves or recesses further allowing the hand grabbing the contact surface 48 to firmly stay in place while actuating the physical training accessory 20. The top head 50 and/or the contact surface 48 can have different shapes that can emphasize the contribution of given muscles while physically training with the physical training accessory 20 as described below. The contact surface 48 can be configured for grabbing by more than one hand, from one or more individual. The contact surface 48 can further feature a soft wall or edge extending along its outer periphery, and this soft wall or edge can sit on the base 30 and/or the supporting element 32. Such an embodiment allows a user to comfortably position his fingers on the top head 50.

Since the top head 50 is removably mounted to the docking element 40, a user can replace the top head 50 separately, which can be advantageous in the event that repeated grabbing of the top head 50 can damage the top head 50 through shearing or scratching, for example. Replacing the top head 50 separately therefore allows the user to save on materials, and thus costs. Besides, replacing the top head 50 separately allows the user to easily adapt to changing trends in the field of physical training, as was pointed out earlier. Therefore, it will be readily understood that a variety of such top heads 50 having different shapes can be alternatively used for a given physical training accessory 20. Moreover, since the top head 50 is removable from the docking element 40, a user can advantageously wash the top head 50 separately. Repeated grabbing of the top head 50 can get the top head 50 dirty, and the user can therefore easily carry the top head 50 for washing with a dishwasher or cloth washer, for example, without having to carry the physical training accessory 20 as a whole.

Referring to Figure 1 and 2a-c, in one embodiment, the plurality of wheels 60 can vary in shape, size, and material, provided the plurality of wheels 60 allow translation of the physical training accessory 20. The ease with which the wheels 60 can roll can vary and therefore provide a range of difficulties for physical training. The wheels 60 can be attached at a plurality of locations on the base 30. In another embodiment, the wheels 60 can be collectively attached to a single location of the base, such as for example and without being limitative, through a rod, plate or element of the like. In one embodiment, the wheels 60 can be mounted to the bottom surface 56 of the base 30. The wheels 60 can be mounted to the base 30 by connecting elements 62. In particular embodiments, the connecting elements 62 can be bolts, rivets, or other elements of the like. In other embodiments, the wheels 60 can be mounted to the base 30 by welding, through the use of glue, or by other means known in the field. The wheels 60 can further feature brakes for blocking translation at will. In an alternative embodiment, the wheels 60 can be mounted to the lateral surface 54 of the base 30. In another alternative embodiment, the wheels 60 can be mounted to the top surface 58 of the base 30.

In one embodiment, not shown in the figures, the top end of the connecting elements 62 used for mounting the wheels 60 to the base 30, such as for example bolts, can be capped with protective material that can advantageously protect a user from scratching his limbs or hands onto the connecting elements 52. The protective material can be located on the top end of the connecting elements 52 protruding from the top surface 58 of base 30, individually, or can cover a portion or the whole of the top surface 58 of the base. The protective material can be, for example and without being limitative, rubber, foam, plastics, fabrics, or other material the can protect the user from protruding connecting elements 62. In one embodiment, the top end of the connecting elements 62 protruding from the top surface 58 of base 30 can be configured and designed to feature smooth edges or shapes that advantageously can prevent a user from scratching his limbs or hands onto the connecting elements 52, in conjunction or not with said protective material.

Referring to Figures 6d-e, the docking element 40 is configured for receiving a limb other than a hand when the top head 50 is removed therefrom, and the base 30 is configured to translate upon translation of the top head 50 mounted to the docking element 40, or upon movement of the limb received in the docking element 40. When the top head 50 is removed from the docking element 40, a cavity resulting from the configuration of the docking element 40 and/or the base 30, in conjunction or not with the supporting element 32, is created and thereby defines an area wherein a limb other than a hand can be received. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6d-e, a foot is inserted in the docking element 40. In other embodiments, not shown, other limbs can be inserted therein, such as for example and without being limitative, knees, feet, shoulders and legs. It will otherwise be understood that the docking element 40 can be configured for receiving artificial limbs for the physical training of physically challenged individuals. The docking element 40 can thus be further configured to match the shape of a given artificial limb. Because the top head 50 can be removed from the docking element 40, a given physical training accessory 20 can be used both for exercising arms upon grabbing the top head 50, and for exercising other body parts upon placing a limb other than a hand in the docking element 40. When the top head 50 is mounted to the docking element 40, a user can grab and translate the top head 50, and consequently translate the docking element 40 and the whole physical training accessory 20. When the top head 50 is removed from the docking element 40, a user can position a limb other than a hand in the docking element 40 and translate the physical training accessory 20. A plurality of physical training accessories 20 can therefore be used for coordinated movements allowing physical training. As shown in Figures 6a-e, the physical training accessories 20 can be used for physical training upon series of translations through various paths. For example, a physical training accessory 20 for which the top head 50 is mounted to the docking element 40 can be moved away from and towards the medial axis of the body of an individual, or above his head. A physical training accessory 20 for which the top head 50 is removed from the docking element 40 can be moved, using a limb other than a hand, away from the medial axis of the body of an individual, or towards his core. In the event that the wheels 60 include brakes, physical training accessories 20 can serve as fix platforms onto which an individual can stand and further move his body in conjunction with the actuation of one or more other physical training accessories 20.

Moreover, it will be readily understood that the components of a physical training accessory 20 such as described above can be provided as a set or kit. Such a set includes the base 30, with or without the supporting element 32. The set further includes the docking element 40, which can or can not be preassembled with the base 30, and the top head 50 removably mountable onto the docking element 40 and being configured for grabbing. The top head 50 can or can not be mounted to the docking element 40 in the kit. The top head 50 can also be provided as two connectable parts being the docking surface 46 and the contact surface 48. The kit also includes a plurality of wheels 60, which can or can not be preassembled with the base.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. It is appreciated that features of one of the above described embodiments can be combined with the other embodiments or alternative thereof.

Claims

1 . A limb actuable physical training accessory, comprising: a base; a docking element mounted to a top surface of the base; a top head removably mounted to the docking element and being configured for grabbing; and a plurality of wheels mounted to the base; the docking element being configured for receiving a limb other than a hand when the top head is removed therefrom, and the base being configured to translate upon translation of the top head mounted to the docking element, or upon movement of the limb received in the docking element.

2. The physical training accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the top head is mounted to the docking element.

3. The physical training accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base is made of wood.

4. The physical training accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the top head is made of rubber or plastic.

5. The physical training accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of wheels comprises at least three wheels mounted to a bottom surface of the base.

6. The physical training accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the top head and the docking element are complementarily configured for mounting said top head to said docking element by applying an external pressure.

7. The physical training accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the limb is selected from the group comprising knees, feet, shoulders and legs.

8. A use of the physical training accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for physical training.

9. A kit for assembling a limb actuable physical training accessory, comprising: a base; a docking element mountable to a top surface of the base; a top head removably mountable to the docking element and being configured for grabbing; and a plurality of wheels mountable to the base; the docking element being configured for receiving a limb other than a hand when the top head is removed therefrom, and the base being configured to translate upon translation of the top head or upon movement of the limb received in the docking element.

10. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the base and the plurality of wheels are preassembled.