WO2022130272A1

WO2022130272A1 - Modular gymnastic equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2022130272A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/061844
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damiano ZARA
Original assignee: Zara Damiano
Priority date: 2020-12-17
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2022-06-23
Also published as: IT202000031013A1

Abstract

The present patent for invention relates to a modular gymnastic equipment, adapted to improve the proprioception of an individual, mainly comprising two half-structures (3A) and (5A), substantially parallelepiped shaped and specular to each other, said half-structures being able to be used singularly or in combination with the other elements of the gymnastic equipment, and being able to be joined together, in order to form a compact structure, by means of one or more dovetail joints (7A) inserted in the appropriate recesses (13A) present in the half-structures themselves. At the base of each of the half-structures (3A) and (5A), one or more risers (2A) can be connected in order to increase the height of the entire monolithic structure, on which back-bending exercises can be carried out, for example, depending on the bending abilities of the user. A support plate (1 A) and a lid formed by two elements (4A) and (6A), which can also be connected by means of suitable joints, guarantee the stability of the entire structure. All the elements that make up the modular gymnastic equipment, which additionally includes a spacer (8A), disc-shaped weights (10A) and one or more balance beams (2B), (3B), are made of environmentally friendly bio-compatible materials, preferably natural wood, and the surface parts, in contact with the user, are treated with natural oils.

Description

MODULAR GYMNASTIC EQUIPMENT.

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention patent relates to modular gymnastic equipment for use in the comfort of the home for restoring or developing proprioception.

Background

“Proprioception” is a term used to describe the sensory inputs that originate, during centrally guided body movements, from particular structures: the “proprioceptors”. Their main function is to provide feedback information on the body’s own movements, in other words to signal, moment by moment, which movements the body is performing. In this sense, proprioceptors are nerve endings that send information to the nervous system; the stimuli are felt by particular receptors located in muscles, tendons and joint capsules.

These endings generate nerve impulses that are transmitted to the spinal cord and from there can remain in the spinal cord itself, for determining spinal reflexes, or reach other areas of the spinal cord or brain, for determining specific functions.

Proprioceptors have an important function in controlling the contraction of skeletal muscles and through the latter most of the body’s physical functions are performed. “Proprioception” is therefore the ability to perceive and recognise the position of one’s body in space and the state of contraction of one’s muscles, even without the support of sight.

Proprioceptive capacity is a particular sensitivity, thanks to which the organism has a perception of itself in relation to the outside world. In fact, it is not only sight, hearing or touch that informs us how the body is positioned in reality, but also proprioceptive sensitivity that allows us to feel the movement of an arm or a leg even when the eyes are closed and allows the body to move at its best.

After an injury (joint sprain, for example) or when experiencing a particular psychological condition, this sensitivity can be lost: the communication network between the central nervous system and muscles goes haywire; responses are no longer adequate. There are, however, exercises that can restore or develop proprioception, to give the body increasingly efficient performance. These exercises consist of a series of movements/stretches to improve posture and body balance, and should, especially for newcomers and untrained people, be guided, at least in the initial phase, by trained instructors.

The tools/machinery used today are specific to the exercise of particular areas of the body, so the gymnast is forced, in the vast majority of cases, to attend facilities/gyms, resulting in loss of time and money.

At patent level, several documents have been filed on the subject, relating to the IPC (International Patent Classification) A63B (Apparatus for physical training, gymnastics, swimming. Climbing or fencing.) and derivatives thereof. Some examples are provided below:

• Chinese Invention Patent no. CN109550132, filed on 26/09/2017 in the name of NINGBO INST. MATERIALS TECH & ENG CAS (CN) (Title: “Device for proprioceptive training and its method of use in neurological rehabilitation”); a device is described in which the user moves the limbs into the target position area under the sense of proprioception; when the limbs enter the target position area the controller controls the opening of the feedback terminal and the training is subject to feedback from at least one of the senses of hearing, sight and touch. The training device is suitable for different trainers and can be used for the recovery of patients in the field of medical rehabilitation.

• European Invention Patent no. EP3355999, filed on 21/09/2016 in the name of CAMEROTA FABIO (IT) (Title: “Telescopic belt with multifunctional support, adapted to be used in fitness and for improving proprioceptive skills”), describing a training kit for improving physical conditions based on a flexible, non-elastic, telescopic belt, said belt being composed of an elongated section in the form of a belt which assumes a U-shaped profile, when extended from two end sections downwards, to an adjustable height, using suitable fastening means. A flat rigid support is inserted and integrated into the central area of the belt using pairs of fasteners with which the perfect horizontality of the flat rigid support is regulated. The user exerts the effort component and the proprioceptive component related to a particular movement, using a wide range of instability values of an oscillating apparatus, including destabilising means, such as suspended weights, in a symmetrical or asymmetrical position with respect to the centre of the support.

• U.S. Invention Patent no. US2016175637, filed on 29/02/2016 in the name of NIKE INC. (US) (Title: “Article of footwear for proprioceptive training”), in which the footwear is connected, by means of appropriate stays, to an articulated band placed on the knee, thus increasing, during the physical exercise of forced walking, the proprioception of the foot with respect to the leg.

As already mentioned, the devices described in the above-mentioned documents are adapted to stimulate only specific parts of the body (legs, feet and arms in particular), as they do not have the characteristics of versatility and modularity of the equipment according to the present invention.

In the field of modular gymnastic equipment, numerous patents/utility models have in fact been filed, relating in particular to IPC classifications A63B17/04 (Apparatus for physical exercise combining various separable parts, such as ladders, poles, slides.) and A63B21/00 (Apparatus for developing or strengthening muscles and joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices.), but none of them is specific for the stimulation of proprioceptors or presents technical-construction characteristics similar to the equipment that will be described shortly.

By way of example, reference is made to US Invention Patent no. US2015190672, filed on 06/01/2015 in the name of INNOVATIVE REHAB PRODUCTS (FR) (Title: “Stability and strength training device”); this device consists of a ball that can be used in its entirety as a medicine ball or rolling device, or separated into two hemispherical elements and used for various exercises including push-ups, standing balance, agility training and strength development. The two hemispherical elements can be easily and firmly locked together with a U-shaped locking mechanism that, when operated, is congruent with the surface of the ball to create a medicine ball configuration. This device, even though it consists - as in the equipment we will shortly describe - of two half-structures (hemispheres) that can be used together or individually, is rather complex to use, and is not equipped with the necessary accessories to be able to carry out a series of more complex exercises, particularly for proprioception.

Finally, in the field of games/fun, mention should be made of Japanese Invention Patent no. JPH1 1300057, filed on 16/04/1998 in the name of KAWAI MUSICAL INSTR. MF G CO (JP) (Title: “Combination game”), which describes a game that can be assembled in various forms by combining a plurality of parts with each other, said parts being able to be stacked on top of each other. The parts consist of a plurality of boxes, each of which has a regular polygonal top plate and a plurality of side plates, each of which extends downwards from each side of the top plate, and between these boxes a structure in the form of a ladder, slide or board may be inserted, so as to adapt the game to the preferences of the children. The structure itself is simple in its construction and assembly and, according to the Applicant, improves the user’s proprioception; however, since it is intended exclusively for children’s play, it is not able to support the certainly heavier weight of an adult, due to the standard interlocking type used, and it is also completely unsuitable for balance exercises, since it is not equipped with the accessory elements of the gymnastic equipment to be described shortly.

List of documents cited in the state of the art:

• CN109550132;

• EP3355999;

• US2016175637;

• US2015190672;

• JPH11300057.

Contents

The present invention is aimed at overcoming the drawbacks described in the state of the art by providing a modular and multifunctional gymnastic equipment, preferably made of wood, which is modular in levels and adaptable by joints. The gymnastic equipment is easy to assemble and disassemble, takes up little space, is compact and robust and can be used for sports and rehabilitative activities, involving a new way of learning balance and a greater understanding of one’s own motor limits, with a consequent increase in physical and psychological performance.

Using such multifunctional gymnastic equipment it is, in fact, possible to:

• enhance balance;

• improve proprioception;

• perform back, arm, shoulder and finger stretches;

• finally, find out one’s range of spinal elongation, which is a warning sign of a possible motor deficit.

The tractions-oppositions in tendon-muscle lever (passive-active) are the strength and the peculiarity of the method applied to the equipment.

All this can be achieved using said multifunctional gymnastic equipment, which consists, in main embodiment thereof, of two specular half-structures substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped, joined together in order to form a compact structure, equipped with a suitable support plate on the ground and which allows the user to perform, once he/she has climbed on top of said compact structure, bending exercises to perform stretching exercises for the back; between the support plate and the two half-structures there are several risers, designed to adapt the stretching exercise to the ability of the user who, in order to perform the exercise, will have to bend his back until it touches the gaps between the support plate and the structure above it (in this sense, those who can perform greater stretching will insert more risers). The two half-structures, like all the other modular elements forming part of the equipment described, are fastened together using a special interlocking system, which does not require the use of screws and/or bolts.

A spacer can be inserted between the two half-structures for the purpose of carrying out particular exercises requiring a certain separation between said half-structures.

The gymnastic equipment further comprises one or more balance beams, used in combination with the main structure or individually. The combinations of said balance beams (coupled to form a single beam or arranged parallel to each other), supported on the ground by appropriate base supports, facilitate easy and rapid learning of coordination and balance; the ergonomic grips help in spinal elongation exercises and the acquisition of the squat, and the same locking grips can be held as traction grips; the single beam can also be fixed to a wall, in order to fully extend the body in natural load, with the feet suspended from the ground, e.g. for preparatory climbing exercises. In order to prevent slipping, the beam is equipped with an upper protective sheath made of all-natural material, which also provides an excellent cushioning effect, both when sitting and lying down.

The various risers used in combination with the main body can be used individually or in combination (two or more risers together) to train fingers and arms. The ergonomic grips of each riser allow precise and functional control of the lifting exercise, unlike classic gym “dumbbells”, which are unsuitable for functional tendon and muscle training. The user can benefit from this in forearm training by exerting strength and resistance in the grip of individual fingers, with the possible further addition of disc weights, which are inserted into the openings between the various risers and firmly locked in place by suitable magnets on the surface of the risers themselves.

In a constructive variant of the gymnastic equipment according to the present invention, the two half-structures constituting the main body of the equipment are of reduced dimensions and are provided with a single interlocking joint; by using them in combination with a suitable stick, it is possible to realise an equipment which allows several exercises to be performed in absolute safety and stability, as well as making it possible, for example, to rise on one leg, which helps with the acquisition of the “maximum squat”.

The various accessories that are part of this variant embodiment include a cube with a golden ratio shape, which is oscillating and particularly suitable for the many balance combinations.

The present gymnastic equipment meets all the requirements for quantifying the “Carbon Footprint - CFP”, that is a measure of environmental sustainability that is used to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions caused by a product (but also a service, organisation, event or individual), usually expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent, throughout the product’s life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to final disposal. In this regard, all the elements of the equipment can be made from wood from trees in the Triveneto Alps, available in considerable quantities following the numerous felling operations caused by the natural disasters of October 2018.

Finally, as the exercise is subject to continuous handling in close contact with the equipment, the surface is treated with natural oils, i.e. with bio-compatible products.

Description of the Drawings

• Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the main embodiment of the gymnastic equipment according to the present invention, formed by the two half-structures constituting the main body thereof, with lid, support plate and risers;

• Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the gymnastic equipment in Fig. 1 once assembled;

• Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the gymnastic equipment with the insertion of the spacer between the two half-structures that constitute the main body thereof;

• Fig. 4a shows an exploded view of the balance beams, which are part of the gymnastic equipment, with their respective supports and the relative detail of the non-slip sheath covering the upper surface of the poles;

• Fig. 4b shows the same balance beams as in Fig. 4a, assembled to form a single beam;

• Fig. 4c shows the balance beams arranged in parallel, so that other types of gymnastic exercises can be carried out;

• Figs. 5a and 5b show respectively the exploded and assembled views of the application of a balance beam to a wall;

• Fig. 6a shows a variant embodiment of the gymnastic equipment according to the present invention, wherein the two half-structures constituting the main body thereof are small and interlocking with a single dovetail joint; there are also a pole/stick, which is combined with said gymnastic equipment, and a golden ratio half-structure, used for particular gymnastic balance exercises;

• Fig. 6b shows the detail of the two half-structures in Fig. 6a, once joined;

• Figs. 6c, 6d and 6e show three different configurations of use of the variant embodiment of Figs. 6a and 6b;

• Figs. 7a and 7b show, respectively, an exploded view and an assembled view of two of the three risers, which are part of the gymnastic equipment according to the present invention, with the insertion of a weight in the shape of a disc between said risers, in order to be able to perform finger/arm muscle strengthening exercises;

• Figs. 7c and 7b show, respectively, an assembled view and an exploded view of the three risers, which are part of the gymnastic equipment according to the present invention, with the insertion of two weights in the shape of a disc between said risers, in order to be able to perform finger/arm muscle strengthening exercises.

Detailed description

In Fig. 1 , there is an exploded view of the gymnastic equipment that is the object of the present invention, the main body of which consists of two half-structures (3A) and (5A) having a substantially parallelepiped shape; the two half-structures, which are perfectly specular, are joined together, in order to form the compact structure shown in Fig. 2, by means of two dovetail joints (7A) inserted into the respective seats (15A) on the top and bottom of the inner surface of the two halfstructures (3A) and (5A).

In the same Fig. 1 there is a spacer (8A) which, as shown in Fig. 3, is inserted between the lower or upper seats (15A) of the two halfstructures (3A) and (5A), in order to be able to use the gymnastic equipment for particular gymnastic exercises.

As can be seen from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the gymnastic equipment has two half-structures (6A) and (4A) at the top which, once the gymnastic equipment itself has been assembled (Fig. 2), form the lid thereof; the two half-structures (3A) and (5A) are further equipped with suitable ergonomic grips (14A) on the outside.

The gymnastic equipment is provided with a support plate (1A), which is also comprised of two perfectly specular elements, each of said elements having protuberances (12A) on the upper surface which are inserted into the respective seats (13A) on the lower surface of the riser (2A).

As can be seen in Fig. 1 , the risers (2A), consisting of two specular parts, are three in total, and are fitted one on top of the other by inserting the protuberances (12A) of each riser into the respective seats (13A) of the riser above it; said risers (2A) are used in combination with the half-structures (3A) and (5A) to be able to adapt the gymnastic equipment to the different heights of the user.

The support plate (1A) and the risers (2A) are further secured together using relevant plugs (9A) which are passed through the aligned holes (9A’) in both the support plate and the risers.

Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate the balance beams (2B) and (3B), which are part of the gymnastic equipment and can be used in combination with the half-structures (3A) and (5A) and the risers (2A), with the support plate (1A) or alone, as shown in these figures; as can be observed, the beam (3B) is provided at one end with a male notch joint (6B), which is to be inserted into the corresponding cavity of the base support (1 B), and at the other end with a male dovetail joint (5B); this joint can be inserted into the corresponding female dovetail joint (4B) present on one end of the other balance beam (2B), so as to form, as shown in Fig. 4b, a single balance beam, supported by three base supports (1 B) positioned at the ends and in the middle (at the point of connection between beams (2B) and (3B)) of the entire structure. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4c, the two beams (2B) and (3B) can be arranged in parallel, with the base supports (1 B) positioned at the ends of each of the two beams, in order to allow them to be used for other types of exercises.

In a further application, the balance beam (2B) (or the beam (3B)) is fixed to a wall of the room/gym by connecting its triangular supports (2C), in whose recesses the notch joints (4C) at the ends of the beam (2B) are to be inserted, to appropriate brackets (1C), said brackets (1C) being rigidly connected to the wall; the resulting configuration, visible in Figs. 5a and 5b, allows the user to perform classic bar exercises for strengthening the arms. Balance beams (2B) and (3B) are equipped with a non-slip rubber sheath (7B) on the top to ensure safe execution of the exercise.

In Fig. 6a the exploded view of a second embodiment of the gymnastic equipment according to the present patent for invention is shown; in this version, the two specular half-structures (1 D) constituting the main body thereof, still having a parallelepiped shape but reduced in size with respect to the main embodiment, have a vertical groove (6D) in which the dovetail joint (2D) is inserted, in order to form a single structure as shown in Fig. 6b. The gymnastic equipment is completed by a stick (3D) and a cube with a golden ratio shape (4D), which oscillates and is particularly suitable for multiple balance combinations. The half-structures (1 D) are further provided with two appropriate holes (5D), one horizontal and the other inclined, in order to be able to obtain the combination shown in Fig. 6c, in which one half-structure (1 D) is placed on the ground along the longest face, while the other is placed vertically, and the stick (3D) is inserted through the inclined upper hole (5D) of one half-structure (1 D) positioned vertically, and resting on the groove (6D) of the other halfstructure positioned horizontally; the result is that the stick (3D) can act as an inclined balance beam, in order to perform certain gymnastic exercises; one of the ends of the stick (3D) is provided with an O-ring (3D’), in order to prevent the exit thereof once inserted into the holes (5D) of the half-structures (1 D).

In a different combination, the stick (3D) is passed through the aligned horizontal holes (5D) of the half-structures (1 D) to obtain the configuration shown in Fig. 6d.

In a further combination, illustrated in Fig. 6e, the stick (3D) is inserted through the inclined holes (5D) of the two half-structures (1 D), arranged in such a way that the inclined hole (5D) of one half-structure is at the bottom, while that of the other half-structure is at the top; in this way, the stick is inclined (and firmly locked on the upper inclined hole by the O-ring (3D’)), with a configuration similar to that described in Fig. 6c. The length of the stick (3D) in relation to the inclination of the inclined holes (5D) determines the perfect execution of the balance exercises.

Two of the risers (2A) can be used for finger and arm training, as shown in Figs. 7a (exploded view) and 7b (assembled view). The two risers are joined together by inserting the protuberances (12A) of the lower riser into the respective seats (13A) present in the upper riser; in the opening thus created between the two risers (2A) a weight (10A) in the form of a disc is then inserted, said disc being firmly blocked thanks to the magnets (11 A) present on the risers (2A). The ergonomic grip (14A) on each of the risers (2A) makes it easy to hold the gymnastic equipment, which can be assembled, as shown in Figs. 7c (assembled view) and 7d (exploded view), from all three risers (2A), with the insertion of two disc-shaped weights (10A).

Claims

1 ) Modular gymnastic equipment, used in particular for exercises to improve proprioception, characterised in that it comprises the following elements:

- two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A), each one provided with at least one seat (6D, 15A), said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A) being configured to be joined together in order to define a compact structure, by means of at least one dovetail rod (7A) inserted in said seat (6D, 15A) so as to allow a user to perform, once he/she has climbed on top of said compact structure, bending exercises to perform stretching exercises for the back, said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A) further being configured to be joined to each other at a distance by means of a spacer (8A), whose ends are adapted to be inserted in said seat (6D, 15A), so as to be able to perform particular exercises requiring a certain separation between said halfstructures (1 D, 3A, 5A);

- at least two risers (2A), each configured to be connected to a base of said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A) so as to raise each of said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A) above the ground;

- a support plate (1A) configured to be connected directly to the base of said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A) or to the base of one of said risers (2A);

- at least one balance beam (2B, 3B), comprising one or more base supports (1 B), usable either singularly or in combination with said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A).

2) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a lid formed by two elements (4A, 6A), configured to be arranged above said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A).

3) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said at least two risers (2A) is provided, at the opposite surfaces thereof, with recesses (13A) and projections (12A), such that the upper projections (12A) of a first riser (2A) are configured to fit into the lower recesses (13A) of the second riser (2A) arranged above said first riser (2A). 4) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support plate (1A) comprises upper projections (12A) configured to fit into said recesses (13A) of said risers (2A) or into recesses defined on the base of said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A).

5) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least two of said balance beams (2B, 3B), one of said balance beams (3B) being provided, at one end thereof, with a male dovetail joint (5B), and the second of said balance beams (2B) being provided, at one end thereof, with a female dovetail joint (4B), said male dovetail joint (5B) and said female dovetail joint (4B) being configured to be joined together to form a single balance beam resting on said base supports (1 B).

6) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to claim 5, characterised in that said two balance beams (2B, 3B) are configured to be arranged parallel next to each other, on said base supports (1 B).

7) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that each of said balance beams (2B, 3B) comprises, at the upper surface thereof, a protective sheath (7B), made of a natural non-slip material so as to prevent the user from slipping while performing balance exercises by placing his/her shoes or directly his/her bare feet on said beams (2B, 3B).

8) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that said balance beams (2B, 3B) comprise one or more triangular supports (2C) for allowing the fastening of said balance beams (2B, 3B) to the walls of a room/gym.

9) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said two risers (2A) are configured, when connected together, to define a housing configured to allow the insertion of at least one disc-shaped weight (10A), said risers (2A) being further provided with magnets for securing said weight (10A) between said two risers (2A), and with ergonomic grips so as to be able to use said two risers (2A) connected to each other and wherein said weight (10A) is inserted, for performing weight-lifting exercises for exercising fingers and arms. - 14 -

10) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A) each comprise inclined holes and horizontal holes (5D) configured to accommodate the ends of a stick (3D) so as to define an inclined or horizontal balance beam and so that the gymnastic equipment can be used to perform balance exercises, in particular rising on one leg.

1 1 ) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said stick (3D) is provided, at one end thereof, with an O-ring (3D’), for the purpose of preventing the exit of said stick (3D) once inserted into the holes (5D) of said two half-structures (1 D, 3A, 5A).

12) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said two halfstructures (3A, 5A) is provided with two of said seats (15A) present at the top and at the bottom on the internal surface of each of said two half-structures (3A, 5A).

13) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , characterised in that said seat (6D) of each of said two halfstructures (1 D) is defined by a vertical groove (6D).

14) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support plate (1A) consists of two perfectly specular elements.

15) Modular gymnastic equipment, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said balance beam (2B, 3B) is provided at one end with a male notch joint (6B) to be inserted into the corresponding cavity of the base support (1 B).