U.S. patent application number 11/064057 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for training equipment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Physiodriver AS. Invention is credited to Trond Viggo Sjobakk, Erik Helmut Winn.
Application Number | 20060135323 11/064057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35238013 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060135323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sjobakk; Trond Viggo ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Training equipment
Abstract
Training equipment for the back, including a bar being bent, and
a pressure-element (5) being fastened in the middle of the curve
made from the bend or bends (3, 4) of the bar. Those parts of the
bar including the bend or bends (3, 4) and the pressure-element (5)
are symmetrical along a plane (I-I) through the bar, and through
the middle of the curve. The pressure-element preferably has a size
both along the bar and perpendicular to the cross sectional plane
of the curve.
Inventors: |
Sjobakk; Trond Viggo;
(Levanger, NO) ; Winn; Erik Helmut; (Trondheim,
NO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNISON, SCHULTZ, DOUGHERTY & MACDONALD
1727 KING STREET
SUITE 105
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Physiodriver AS
|
Family ID: |
35238013 |
Appl. No.: |
11/064057 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/92 ;
482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/006 20130101;
A63B 57/00 20130101; A61H 1/0292 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 23/0233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/092 ;
482/139 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A63B 71/00 20060101 A63B071/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 17, 2004 |
NO |
20045546 |
Claims
1. Training equipment for the back, comprising: a bar being bent,
and a pressure-element (6) being fastened in the middle of the
curve being made from the bend or bends (3, 4) of the bar, those
parts of the bar comprising the bend or bends (3, 4) and the
pressure-element (5) being symmetrical along a plane (I-I) through
the bar, and through the middle of the curve.
2. Training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the
pressure-element (5) has a size both along the bar and
perpendicular to the cross section plane of the curve.
3. Training equipment according to claim 1, wherein bar has two
bends (3, 4), wherein the angle (.phi.) of the bends (3, 4) are
equal and in the same plane.
4. Training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the
pressure-element (5) is oblong and preferably slightly concave.
5. Training equipment according claim 4, wherein the
pressure-element (5) is made of, or coated with a pressure
resisting elastic material.
6. Training equipment according to claim 5, wherein the
pressure-element (5) is made of silicone.
7. Training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the
pressure-element (5) is about 4-12 cm high, preferably 6 cm, 12-25
cm wide, preferably 13 cm, and 2-17 cm thick, preferably 5 cm.
8. Training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the equipment
is foldable.
9. Training equipment according to claim 8, wherein the bar is
telescopic.
10. Training equipment according to claim 8, wherein the bar is
made with a joint (9) behind the pressure-element (5).
11. Training equipment according to claim 1, wherein the equipment
is symmetrical along a plane (I-I) through the bar, and through the
center point of the curve.
12. Training equipment according to claim 1, which is a main part
of larger training equipment, preferably with resistance.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to training equipment to
improve the rotation of the back.
[0002] The spine is made up of 24 vertebrae, and between every
vertebra, there are several joints making movement between every
vertebra possible. Movement should be evenly distributed between
the joints, but quite often, the movement is more in one joint than
in the adjacent joint. This may cause an unbalanced distribution of
the mobility of the vertebrae, causing pain and unease. In order to
achieve maximum rotation and mobility of the back, all joints
should have maximum mobility.
[0003] Most humans in the western world today have a lifestyle that
is not stimulating the body to maintain and/or increase its
flexibility. This may result in a stiff body, and a lot of
associated problems. At worst, a stiff body can cause difficulty in
daily life, such as turning in bed, and cleaning oneself. Persons
that have developed Parkinson and/or Bekhterev's disease will have
reduced mobility of the joints due to the illness, and thus, they
have an extra need to work on /maintain rotation and mobility.
[0004] In golf, one also needs maximum rotation, especially in the
back and in the hips to achieve the best golf swing and thereby,
the best drive. A lot of golf players struggle with back injuries,
because among other things, they rarely warm up, and the golf swing
demanding maximum rotation of the whole spine.
[0005] Physiotherapists treat patients who have limited rotation of
the spine. In order to improve the rotation and/or reduce pain,
they perform a press onto the muscles and joints contributing to
the rotation-movement. At present, there is no training equipment
being developed to improve rotation of the spine, and neither is
there any training equipment available to prevent injury and/or
strengthen muscles and joints which are not injured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the present invention, is to provide training
equipment to stimulate the spine and the surrounding musculature in
order to optimize the rotation.
[0007] The invention is directed to equipment which can improve the
rotation of the spine.
[0008] Training equipment, according to the present invention,
comprises a bar being bent so that the ends are in the same plane.
In approximately the middle of the curve made by the bend or bends
of the bar, there is coupled a pressure-element. In most cases,
where the bend or bends are centred on the bar, the
pressure-element will be located in the middle of the bar. Further,
those parts of the bar including the bend or bends and the
pressure-element, should be mirrored through a plane across the
bar, along the center line of the curve. The ends of the bar
should, preferably, be divergent or parallel, but in the case where
the bar is bent evenly in a curve, the ends might also be
convergent.
[0009] In use, the pressure-element is held against the vertebral
column so that one end of the bar will stretch forward under each
arm of the person using the equipment (the user). The user grabs
the bar close to each end with each hand, and stabilizes the
pressure element towards the spine in this way. When the person
turns to the right, he should simultaneously pull the end of the
bar being held by the left hand, so that the pressure element
"rotates the spine" towards right. In this way, the spine will
rotate beyond what the users are capable of on their own. The user
must, however, not pull so hard that the pressure-element is
displaced in relation to the spine. In the same way, the user must
pull the end of the equipment being held in the right hand when he
rotates to the left.
[0010] By "pressure-element" meant is any element which can provide
pressure to the spine, when the equipment is being used. In order
to achieve the intended function, that is, to contribute to
rotation, the element must have a certain size both transverse
(width) and longitudinal (height) relative to the spine. That is,
along the bar and perpendicular to a cross sectional plane of the
bent bar. It is also an advantage if the pressure-element has a
certain thickness, and/or is mounted to the bar in such a way that
the required distance from the surface of the pressure element to
the bar is achieved. For comfort and to avoid pain, the element
should further be made of, or at the least coated with, a pressure
resisting elastic material.
[0011] The pressure-element is preferably oblong with a slight
concave surface. The element may advantageously be made of a stiff,
but yet elastic material, in order to provide a relatively firm
pressure on the spine, but at the same time being elastic so that
it can be placed very close to the back, ensuring that it is
comfortable. An example of such material are different types of
silicone.
[0012] The pressure-element has a height, h, being chosen to
embrace the right number of vertebrae, and to provide optimal
pressure to the spine. If the height h of the pressure-element is
too great, it will embrace to many vertebrae, and the pressure
provided on each vertebra will be too small. Problems can also
arise when the pressure-element is placed close to the back,
because the back is not straight. If the height, h, of the
pressure-element is too small, one might experience it being
uncomfortable, because the pressure is too concentrated, even if
the effect of improving the rotation is achieved. The
pressure-element also has a width b, and in the same way as the
height, it must be compromised. If the pressure-element is too
slim, it will not comfortably embrace the vertebrae, and the
pressure is too concentrated. The width of the pressure-element
will only be limited by practical reasons, and might, in principle,
be as wide as the user's back. It has been found that the
pressure-element should be between 4-12 cm high, with an optimal
height of 6 cm, and between 12-25 cm wide, with an optimal width of
13 cm to be used by most persons. The element also has a thickness,
t, and in the same way as the height and the width, it must be
compromised. It must be thick enough to provide pressure to the
spine without being destroyed, but at the same time, the distance
between the bar and the surface of the element should not be so
large that involuntary tilting of the pressure-element may occur
when the training equipment is being used. By "involuntary
tilting", it is meant that the contact surface of the
pressure-element is not in full contact against the spine, but
tilts upwards and downwards during use, without the user being able
to control it. The coupling between the pressure-element and the
bar will also influence the distance between the surface of the
pressure element and the bar. It has been found that the distance
between the bar and the surface of the pressure element should not
exceed 20 cm, and preferably is about 10 cm. The element itself
should have a thickness of between 2 and 17 cm, preferably 5
cm.
[0013] It is an advantage that the equipment as a whole is
symmetrical through a plane across the bar, through the
pressure-element and right in the middle of the ends. With an
embodiment which is not symmetrical, the user can only stretch one
side of the back at a time. When it is desirable to stretch the
other side, him or her must let go of the equipment, at least with
one hand, then turn it up-side-down, and place it against the back
again. Only then is the user ready to stretch the muscles/joints on
the other side of the back. The user will thus not be able to turn
alternately between left and right, which would be possible with
symmetrical equipment.
[0014] It is also an advantage that the equipment is symmetrical
along the plane through the center of the bar, meaning that the
upper and lower parts of the equipment are mirrored. In such a
case, the user can just pick up the equipment and use it, without
finding right/left or up/down.
[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the equipment is made to be
collapsible. This may be done in may ways, which would be obvious
to a person skilled in the art. In a specially preferred
embodiment, the bar is bent in two places with similar or identical
angles in the same plane, so that the bar is symmetrical about the
center line I-I. It is a further advantage if the ends are
divergent instead of parallel, as this will ease the use of the
equipment. The parts of the bar, from the bend to the end, and
between the bends, may be telescopic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will in the following be described by means of
an embodiment shown in the enclosed figures, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows the training equipment unfolded, before
use;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the pressure-element
according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a specific embodiment of the training equipment
of FIG. 1, folded; and
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the training equipment placed on a spine, and
the influenced vertebrae and joints.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the training equipment is
shown with two bends. The distance from one end 1, 2 to the closer
bend 3, 4 is equal, and corresponds to the distance between the
bends. Except for the bends 3, 4, the bar is straight. In the
center, between the bends, is a pressure-element in the shape of a
pillow 5, coupled to the bar. The pillow 5 is fastened to a clamp 6
(see FIG. 4), which in turn is being fastened to a pipe 7 which
slides on the bar between the bends. The pillow is made of
relatively hard silicone, which in the illustrated embodiment is of
Elastosil RT-625 a+b from Wilh. Wullumsen AS.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the pillow 5 according to
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The pillow has a width, b, and a
thickness, t, as shown in the Figure. Furthermore, it is concave,
and the angle .THETA. is about 170-160.degree., preferably
164.degree..
[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the angle .phi. of the
bends are not adjustable, but the bend may of course be made
adjustable if desirable. The angle of the bend may be between 160
and 90.degree., but preferably 120.degree.. Both the angle .phi. of
the bends 3, 4 and the total length of the bar is chosen by
considering the length and size of an average user. A shorter user
will be able to use the equipment by holding it further from the
ends 1, 2, so that it is not necessary to stretch the arms to use
the equipment. A taller user must correspondingly bend his or her
arms to hold the ends 1, 2 of the bar. The chosen measurements are,
however, such that both short and tall users can use the equipment
without feeling uncomfortable due to their size.
[0024] The ends 1, 2 of the equipment are preferably provided with
a coating 8, improving the grip. This coating is applied to the bar
from the end 1, 2 and towards the bend, preferably to about
halfway. In a preferred embodiment the coating 8 is of rubber and
has a rough surface, resulting in a better grip around the bar.
[0025] In FIG. 3 shown is an embodiment of the equipment, which is
foldable. The bar is telescopic in such a way that the distance
from bend 3, 4 to end 1, 2 can be adjusted, and that the distance
from bend 3, 4 to pillow 5 can be adjusted. It is further provided
with a joint 9 behind the pillow, so that both arms can be placed
on one side, meaning that in the folded condition the joint 9 is
one end, and the ends 1, 2 of the bar is the other. The pillow 5
is, as said, fastened to a clamp 6, which in turn is fastened to a
pipe 7 which slides on the bar. When the equipment is used, pipe 7
is located over joint 9, holding it rigid. When the equipment is
folded, pipe 7 is pushed to the side of the middle point, and joint
9 may be bent. The pipe 7 can be locked in different positions, for
instance, over joint 9, in many ways, which will be obvious to a
person skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, this
is solved by the inner diameter of pipe 7 corresponding to the
outer diameter of the bar, and that the friction between the inside
of pipe 7 and the outside of the bar is so large, that further
fastening is not necessary.
[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bar is made to be
moved into the coating 8 on the ends 1, 2, thereby reducing the
length of the bar from bend 3, 4 to end 1, 2, to the length of the
coating 8. Correspondingly, the distance between the bends 3, 4 is
reduced by providing that at least parts of the bar are
telescopic.
[0027] It is, of course, an advantage that the equipment can be
folded, because it makes it easier to transport, and it occupies
less space when not in use. Golf players, who often have a bad
rotation of the spine, can store the equipment in their golf bag,
and thereby providing a good opportunity to warm up the muscles
before, or during, a round of golf.
[0028] In FIG. 4, shown schematically is what happens in the spine
when the training equipment is used. For a better understanding,
only the spine and the training equipment is shown. With the
illustrated embodiment of the equipment, about three vertebrae will
be influenced at the same time, as shown in FIG. 4. The training
equipment is placed against the back of the user, and when him/her
turns to the left or right, the pressure-element will interfere
with the vertebrae and help these to rotate beyond what the user
might do on his/her own. At the same time, the pressure-element
pushes and stretches muscles placed around the vertebrae in
question.
* * * * *