WO2023156521A1

WO2023156521A1 - Muscle performance measurement apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023156521A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/053889
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noel Doherty
Original assignee: Noel Doherty
Priority date: 2022-02-16
Filing date: 2023-02-16
Publication date: 2023-08-24
Also published as: IE20220033A1

Abstract

The apparatus (1) has a frame (2) with a ground-engaging base (3). A pair of spaced-apart posts (4) are upstanding on the base (3). A muscle performance measurement bar (5) is mounted between the posts (4) and is height adjustable thereon. A set of sensors, indicated generally by the reference numeral (7), is mounted on the bar (5) for engagement by a user to measure muscle performance of the user. A foot locator (8) is provided on the base (3) for positioning a foot of the user relative to the bar (5) during engagement of the sensors (7) by the user.

Description

“Muscle Performance Measurement Apparatus”

Introduction

This invention relates to an apparatus for measuring muscle performance in an individual with a view to improving and maintaining physical fitness and aiding recovery from injury.

Background of the Invention

In a previous patent application (publication no. WO 2022/003207 A1) I have disclosed a muscle performance measurement apparatus comprising a muscle performance measurement bar adapted for mounting on and use with a barbell rack of the type commonly found in a gymnasium. In US 10,729,369B2, there is disclosed a testing and training apparatus comprising an upright frame carrying a height-adjustable instrumentation support with sensors for detecting muscle performance.

The present invention is directed towards providing an improved muscle performance measurement apparatus which facilitates greater accuracy and repeatability in muscle performance measurement.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a muscle performance measurement apparatus comprising: a ground-engaging frame having a pair of spaced-apart upstanding posts, a muscle performance measurement bar mounted between the posts, the muscle performance measurement bar being height adjustable on the posts, at least one sensor mounted on the muscle performance measurement bar for engagement by a user to measure muscle performance of the user, characterised in that a foot locator is provided on the frame for positioning a foot of the user relative to the muscle performance measurement bar during engagement of the sensor by the user.

Advantageously, the foot locator enables accurate measurements of an athlete’s muscular performance to be taken over a series of training or measurement sessions with an athlete being able to engage the apparatus repeatably and accurately in the same position and thus provide an accurate assessment of muscle performance and in particular with regard to changes in muscle performance between different exercise sessions.

In one embodiment of the invention the frame has a ground-engaging base comprising a pair of spaced-apart parallel elongate side rails, each side rail having one of the posts upstanding thereon, and a foot locator rail extending between the side rails and being perpendicular to the side rails with a pair of foot receiving blocks mounted on the foot locator rail.

In another embodiment, each foot block has a curved toe-receiving groove.

In another embodiment the foot receiving blocks are adjustably mounted on the foot locator rail.

In another embodiment, the foot received blocks are laterally adjustable on the foot locator rail.

In another embodiment the foot locator rail is adjustably mounted on the side rails for movement towards and away from the posts.

In another embodiment, each side rail has an outwardly projecting ballast arm with an upstanding weight receiving rod for reception of one or more weights.

In another embodiment, a counterbalance is provided on the frame to support at least portion of the weight of the muscle performance measurement bar.

In another embodiment, the counterbalance comprises a spring mounted on each post, each spring connected to the muscle performance measurement bar by a cable which passes over a pulley mounted on the post.

In another embodiment, each spring is mounted within an associated post and is fixed adjacent a lower end of the post, the cable extending from the spring around the pulley at a top of the post and back down to the muscle performance measurement bar.

In another embodiment the bar engages each post by a carriage which is slidably mounted on the post for movement between a plurality of vertically spaced-apart locking positions on the post.

In another embodiment the bar is axially rotatable on the carriages between a number of circumferentially spaced-apart locking positions on each carriage.

In another embodiment three sensors are mounted on the bar, comprising a central sensor element and two peripheral sensor elements, one of the peripheral sensor elements being mounted at each side of the central sensor element.

In another embodiment, each peripheral sensor element is laterally adjustable on the muscle performance measurement bar.

In another embodiment of the invention there is a muscle performance measurement apparatus comprising a frame for mounting on a support, the frame having a pair of spaced-apart upright posts, a muscle performance measurement bar mounted between the posts, and at least one sensor mounted on the bar for engagement by a user to measure muscle performance of the user.

In another embodiment, there is provided a muscle performance measurement apparatus comprising a ground-engaging frame having a pair of spaced-apart upstanding posts, a muscle performance measurement bar mounted between the posts, the muscle performance measurement bar being height adjustable on the posts, at least one sensor mounted on the muscle performance measurement bar for engagement by a user to measure muscle performance of the user, and a counterbalance being provided on the frame to support at least portion of the weight of the muscle performance measurement bar. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a muscle performance measurement apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus;

Fig. 4 is another elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view of a set of sensors forming part of the muscle performance measurement apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a detail end elevational view of one of the sensors;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a muscle performance measurement apparatus according to a second embodiment the invention;

Fig. 8 is a detail elevational view showing portion of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig, 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail elevational view showing a turntable portion of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig, 7;

Fig. 10 is a detail elevational view showing the turntable portion of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig, 7 in another position of use;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of portion of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of portion of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of portion of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig. 7;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus, shown packed in a case for transport;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the case in transit;

Fig. 16 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of a muscle performance measurement apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a partially sectioned front elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus shown in Fig. 16, showing a muscle performance measurement bar of the apparatus in another position of use;

Fig. 18 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig. 16, corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a partially sectioned front elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 20 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of the muscle performance measurement apparatus of Fig. 16.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 thereof, there is illustrated a muscle performance measurement apparatus according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 . The apparatus 1 has a frame 2 with a groundengaging base 3. A pair of spaced-apart posts 4 are upstanding on the base 3. A muscle performance measurement bar 5 is mounted between the posts 4 and is height adjustable thereon. A set of sensors, indicated generally by the reference numeral 7, is mounted on the bar 5 for engagement by a user to measure muscle performance of the user. A foot locator 8 is provided on the base 3 for positioning a foot of the user relative to the bar 5 during engagement of the sensors 7 by the user.

The base 3 comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel elongate side rails 10. Each side rail 10 has one of the posts 4 upstanding thereon, located adjacent a front end 11 of the side rail 10. A foot locator rail 12 extends between the side rails 10 and is perpendicular to the side rails 10. A pair of foot receiving blocks 14 are mounted on the foot locator rail 12 for engagement by each foot of a person using the apparatus 1. Each foot receiving block has a scalloped or curved toe-receiving groove to receive the foot.

The foot receiving blocks 14 are adjustably mounted on the foot locator rail 12. In this case each foot receiving block 14 locates at one of a number of spaced-apart positioning holes 15 in the foot locator rail 12, a pin on a rear face of each foot receiving block 14 engaging with an associated hole 15.

The foot locator rail 12 is adjustably mounted on the side rails 10 for movement towards and away from the posts 4. An outwardly projecting flange 16 at each end of the foot locator rail 12 overlies one of the side rails 10. A locking pin extends through a hole in the flange 16 to engage with one of a number of associated spaced-apart location holes 17 along each side rail 10.

The adjustable arrangement of the foot receiving blocks 14 and foot locator rail 12 advantageously allows a user to accurately and repeatably engage the sensors 7 in the same position each time a measurement is taken to facilitate an accurate assessment of the condition of the muscles being measured on a continuous basis over time.

Each side rail 10 has an outwardly projecting ballast arm 20 with an upstanding weight receiving rod 21 for reception of one or more weights 22. Conveniently standard weight discs of the type used with a conventional weight-lifting bar can be used. The weights 22 resist movement of the apparatus 1 when it is in use. The side rails 10 may be provided with through holes for bolting the side rails 10 to the floor. The bar 5 is height adjustable on the posts 4. Each post 4 comprises an inwardly facing channel section member with an outer wall 23 with inwardly projecting front wall 24 and rear wall 25 defining a channel 26 therebetween. An upper crossbar 27 extends between upper ends 28, 29 of the posts 4. A plurality of vertically spaced-apart through holes 30 are provided in each post 4 for height adjustment of the bar 5 on the posts 4.

The bar 5 engages each post 4 by a carriage 32 which is slidably mounted on the post 4 for movement between a plurality of vertically spaced-apart locking positions on the post 4 corresponding to the through holes 30. A spring-loaded locking pin 33 on each carriage 32 is engageable with the through holes 30 to select the required height. In an alternative arrangement a linear motion slide rail system may be enclosed in the posts 4 for height adjustment of the bar 5.

The bar 5 is axially rotatable on the carriages 32 between a number of circumferentially spaced-apart locking positions on each carriage 32. A turntable 35 is operable for rotation of the bar 5. The turntable comprises two complementary overlapping discs 36, 37 on the bar 5 and carriage 32 respectively each with an array of circumferentially spaced-apart holes for reception of a complementary locking pin 39. Thus, the bar 5 can be rotated on the carriages 32 and locked in one of a number of pre-set angular positions. In this case two turntables 35 are provided, a turntable 35 being positioned at each end of the bar 5. However, in some cases only a single turntable 35 is provided at one end of the bar 5, the other end of the bar 5 rotating on the associated carriage 32.

Three sensors are mounted on the bar 5, comprising a central sensor element 42 and two peripheral sensor elements 43, 44, one of the peripheral sensor elements 43,44 being mounted at each side of the central sensor element 42. Each sensor element is rotatably mounted on the bar 5 for movement between a number of measuring positions on the bar 5.

Each sensor element 42, 43, 44 attaches to the bar 5 by means of a connector 50 which comprises an inner tubular connector sleeve 51 which encircles the bar 5. The central sensor element 42 will generally be fixed at a centre of the bar 5 against lateral or axial movement, and the peripheral sensor elements 43, 44 are movable sensors which are slidable axially on the bar 5 at either side of the fixed central sensor element 42. Spring loaded locking pins 62 engage axially spaced-apart holes 63 in the bar 5 for positioning the peripheral sensor elements 43, 44 on the bar 5.

A support arm 45, 46, 47 extends outwardly from each inner connector sleeve 51 , with the sensor elements 42, 43, 44 mounted at outer ends of the support arms 45, 46, 47 spaced-apart from the inner sleeve 51 and hence spaced-apart from the bar 5.

It will also be noted that each peripheral sensor element 43, 44 is pivotally mounted on the associated support arm 46,47 to provide a range of movement of up to 180 degrees as shown in Fig. 4. Locking pins releasably secure the sensor elements 43, 44 in each position of use.

The central sensor element 42 has load sensors 54, 55 at each end, The axis of these load sensors 54, 55 is parallel to the bar 5 axis. Each peripheral sensor element 43, 44 has an inner load sensor 56 at an inner end and an outer load sensor 57 at an opposite outer end. The outer load sensors 57 have a curved engagement face 58. Each peripheral sensor element 43, 44 has at least one sensor that can be used in both tension and compression. The load sensors 56, 57 can have interchangeable attachments, for example a hook or eye bolt.

Each sensor element 42, 43, 44 communicates with a peripheral device 60 (Fig. 1) either directly via cable or more preferably via wireless communication (WiFi/Bluetooth) to record and/or display muscle performance measurements generated by the sensor elements 42, 43, 44. A transmitter is provided in each of the sensor elements 42, 43, 44 for wirelessly transmitting sensor data to the peripheral device 60.

To ensure test repeatability, an athlete must replicate their foot/body position every time they perform a test. The apparatus of the invention achieves this with an adjustable foot locator assembly. The test positions are recorded in the data collection application on the peripheral device 60. Having physical stops provided by the foot receiving blocks 14 makes this a very simple and repeatable process.

Referring now to Fig. 7 to Fig. 15, there is illustrated a muscle performance measurement apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case a cross member 71 is mounted between the side rails 10 in alignment with the posts 4 to ensure the bottoms of the posts 4 are correctly spaced apart and the side rails 10 are correctly spaced apart. Common bolts may be used to lock both the cross member 71 and posts 4 on the side rails 10.

In this case also it will be noted that a single turntable 35 is provided at one end of the bar 5, the other end of the bar 5 being rotatably mounted in a complementary bushing 72 projecting inwardly from the carriage 32. The discs 36, 37 have circumferentially spaced-apart holes 75 for rotational adjustment of the bar 5.

Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show the apparatus 1 , 70 can conveniently be disassembled and packed in an associated case 80 for transport.

Referring now to Fig. 16 to Fig. 20, there is illustrated a muscle performance measurement apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 90. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case, each post 4 comprises a cylindrical tube 91 with a flanged foot 92 perpendicular to a central upright axis of the post 4 and projecting forwardly and rearwardly of the post 4. Each flanged foot 92 seats on an associated side rail 10 to which it is demountably secured by hand operated locking bolts 93, 94. Each locking bolt 93, 94 has a threaded shaft which passes through an associated hole in the flange 92 to threadedly engage associated threaded mounting holes in the side rails 10. In this case also, a counterbalance for the muscle performance measurement bar 5 is provided by way of a spring 95, 96 mounted within each post 4, within a bore 97 of the post 4. Each spring 95, 96 is mounted at a bottom of the post 4, having a fixed lower end 98 and a movable upper end 99. A cable 100 connects the spring 95, 96 to the carriage 32 on the post 4 within which the spring 95, 96 is mounted. An inner end 101 of the cable 100 is attached to the upper end 99 of the spring 95, 96, the cable 100 passing over a rotatable pulley 102 mounted adjacent a top of the post 4 and an outer end 103 of the cable 100 is secured by a fastener 104 to the carriage 32 on the post 4 within which the spring 95, 96 is mounted. Each carriage 32 in this case comprises a tubular collar 106 which slidably engages an exterior of each post 4. A hand operated locking knob 107 on the collar 106 controls an attached locking pin which extends radially inwardly through the collar 106 to engage a selected one of a vertically spaced-apart set of height adjusting holes on the post 4 for height adjustment of the muscle performance measurement bar 5 on the posts 4. The locking pin could be a spring-loaded locking pin which is manually retracted to slide the collar 106 on the post 4 and snaps into engagement with the selected height adjusting hole when released. Alternatively the locking pin could be a threaded locking pin which screws out on the collar 106 to release the collar 106 for sliding on the post 4, and screws in to engage with a selected threaded height adjusting hole on the post 4 to secure the collar 106 at the selected height on the post 4.

In use, the muscle performance measurement bar 5 can slide up and down the posts 4 and be locked at any desired height as previously described. The counterbalance springs 95, 96 support at least portion of the weight of the muscle performance measurement bar 5 or substantially neutralise the weight of the muscle performance measurement bar 5. Thus, a user can easily and smoothly slide the muscle performance measurement bar 5 up and down on the posts 4 when adjusting the height of the muscle performance measurement bar 5 on the posts 4.

In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” or any variation thereof and the terms “include, includes, included and including” or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A muscle performance measurement apparatus (1 ) comprising: a ground-engaging frame (2) having a pair of spaced-apart upstanding posts (4), a muscle performance measurement bar (5) mounted between the posts (4), the muscle performance measurement bar (5) being height adjustable on the posts

(4), at least one sensor (7) mounted on the muscle performance measurement bar

(5) for engagement by a user to measure muscle performance of the user, characterised in that a foot locator (12, 14) is provided on the frame (2) for positioning a foot of the user relative to the muscle performance measurement bar (5) during engagement of the sensor (7) by the user.

2. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame has a ground-engaging base comprising a pair of spaced-apart parallel elongate side rails, each side rail having one of the posts upstanding thereon, and a foot locator rail extending between the side rails and being perpendicular to the side rails with a pair of foot receiving blocks mounted on the foot locator rail.

3. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each foot block has a curved toe-receiving groove.

4. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the foot receiving blocks are adjustably mounted on the foot locator rail.

5. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the foot receiving blocks are laterally adjustable on the foot locator rail.

6. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the foot locator rail is adjustably mounted on the side rails for movement towards and away from the posts. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each side rail has an outwardly projecting ballast arm with an upstanding weight receiving rod for reception of one or more weights. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a counterbalance is provided on the frame to support at least portion of the weight of the muscle performance measurement bar. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the counterbalance comprises a spring mounted on each post, each spring connected to the muscle performance measurement bar by a cable which passes over a pulley mounted on the post. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein each spring is mounted within an associated post and is fixed adjacent a lower end of the post, the cable extending from the spring around the pulley at a top of the post and back down to the muscle performance measurement bar. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the muscle performance measurement bar engages each post by a carriage which is slidably mounted on the post for movement between a plurality of vertically spaced-apart locking positions on the post. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the muscle performance measurement bar is axially rotatable on the carriages between a number of circumferentially spaced-apart locking positions on each carriage. The muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein three sensors are mounted on the muscle performance measurement bar, comprising a central sensor element and two peripheral sensor elements, one of the peripheral sensor elements being mounted at each side of the central sensor element. he muscle performance measurement apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each peripheral sensor element is laterally adjustable on the muscle performance measurement bar.