U.S. patent application number 10/551486 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for device to carry out physical exercise.
Invention is credited to Ricard Cabedo Serna, Daniel Gonzalez Loyola, Eduardo Gutierrez De Cabiedes Hidalgo De Cabiedes, Marcos Requena Penat, Rafael Villar Laguna.
Application Number | 20070087902 10/551486 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33104265 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070087902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Penat; Marcos Requena ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
Device to carry out physical exercise
Abstract
A device to carry out physical exercise that comprises a
double-sided support (1), with one upper and one lower side. one of
which is considerably rigid and the other includes an inflatable
flexible element (3). The device comprises resting means for the
support that allow users to carry out aerobic and cardio exercises
and to work on their physical condition in general using the
considerably rigid side. The device of the invention is reversible
and allows users to work on the areas of aerobic, cardio, balance,
proprioception and coordination.
Inventors: |
Penat; Marcos Requena;
(Muchamiel, ES) ; Gutierrez De Cabiedes Hidalgo De
Cabiedes; Eduardo; (Pamplona, ES) ; Villar Laguna;
Rafael; (Alicante, ES) ; Gonzalez Loyola; Daniel;
(El Campello, ES) ; Cabedo Serna; Ricard;
(Alicante, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF BLOCK SCHORR AND SOLIS-COHEN LLP
250 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10177
US
|
Family ID: |
33104265 |
Appl. No.: |
10/551486 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB04/00787 |
371 Date: |
September 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/068 20130101;
A63B 23/0458 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 22/00 20130101;
A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 2071/027
20130101; A63B 2225/60 20130101; A63B 2225/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/052 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2003 |
ES |
P- 200300755 |
Claims
1. Device to carry out physical exercise that comprises a
double-sided support (1), with one upper and one lower side, one of
which is considerably rigid and the other includes an inflatable
flexible element (3), resting means for the support that allow
users to carry out aerobic and cardio exercises and to work on
their physical condition in general using the considerably rigid
side, wherein said inflatable flexible element (3) is slightly
dished and in that said inflatable flexible element (3) allows
users to carry out balance, propioception and coordination
exercises when standing on it, so that the device allows users to
work on both the areas of aerobic and cardio and the areas of
balance, propioception and coordination.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said resting means are feet
(5) that rotate around the support (1) and around a considerably
horizontal axis.
3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said inflatable flexible
element (3) is detachable and is joined to the support (1) by
joining means.
4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said considerably rigid
side comprises a contact platform (4) joined to the support (1) by
joining means.
5. Device according to claims 3 wherein said joining means comprise
a housing (2), which accommodate said inflatable flexible element
(3).
6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said housing (2) comprises
means (7) to set the position of said inflatable flexible element
(3).
7. Device according to claim 5, wherein said inflatable flexible
element (3) comprises means (8,10) to set its position in said
housing (2).
8. Device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible element (3),
being inflatable, has a rectangular base.
9. Device according to claim 1 wherein said inflatable flexible
element (3) comprises the more density or thickest area of the
base.
10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said flexible element (3),
being inflatable, comprises supports (18) on its base.
11. Device according to claim 3 wherein said inflatable flexible
element (3) comprises a platform joined to the base.
12. Device according to claim 2, wherein said support comprises
gaps (14) to partially scramble said feet (5).
13. Device according to claim 1, wherein said support (1) comprises
means (11) to fix elastic bands for exercises entailing toning up
muscles, body building and rehabilitation.
14. Device according to claim 4, wherein said contact platform (4)
is manufactured in a point-elastic material that is capable of
absorbing and restoring energy.
15. Device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises
means (21) to regulate its height.
16. Device according to claim 1 wherein said support (1) and said
feet (5) comprise means (12) to hold and handle said device.
17. Device according to claim 1 wherein inflatable flexible element
(3) comprises means (20) to hold and handle it.
18. Device according to claim 1 wherein said flexible element (3),
being inflatable, comprises at least one valve (19) to modify the
pressure inside it.
Description
[0001] This invention refers to a device that allows users to carry
out exercises to improve their physical condition, training and
rehabilitation, which specifically works the areas dedicated to
aerobic, cardio, balance, proprioception and coordination.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are devices that allow users to carry out physical
exercises that comprise a plastic support with a flat side for
aerobic and cardio exercises. Said devices, popularly known as
"Steps", comprise a contact platform or an element made of plastic
material on the side on which said exercises are carried out. The
height of the device is adjusted using supplements that are added
on the base of the support.
[0003] There are devices that allow users to carry out physical
exercises that comprise an inflatable flexible element shaped like
a ball to work balance and proprioception. Said devices present the
inconvenience of being very unstable as well as the fact that users
cannot do exercises standing up.
[0004] EP0769287 A1 describes a device that comprises an inflatable
flexible element that allows users to stand on. However, this
element is designed for foot massage and in no case for performing
balance exercises.
[0005] There are also devices that allow users to carry out
physical exercises that comprise an inflatable flexible element but
present the inconvenience that they are always auxiliary to other
devices, and do not allow users to work balance in an integral
manner.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,983 describes an inflatable device that
can be used for physical therapy, conditioning or training. Said
device has a double-sided support platform, a flexible element
attached to one side of said platform and a clamp that attaches
said flexible element to the platform. The flexible element has a
semi-spherical shape when inflated, before its use. The pressure of
the inflatable element can be modified, when users wish to modify
the stability, by means of a small valve located on said
device.
[0007] Said device can be used face up or face down to carry out
physical exercises. In the latter case, the user stands on the side
of the platform that does not have the inflatable flexible element
attached.
[0008] The device disclosed in the American patent presents the
inconvenience that it is not suitable for carrying out aerobic and
cardio exercises, nor for improving the physical condition in
general, since it is designed for working balance, proprioception
and coordination specifically. Furthermore, given the fact that it
includes an inflatable flexible element with a semi-spherical
shape, over 20 cm high, the device works on the users' balance in a
very unstable manner. The semi-spherical shape confers the device a
very small support surface that is extremely unstable, increasing
the risk of injuries and making it difficult for users to perform
exercises laying down or leaning on the device. Furthermore, the
circular shape of the flexible element makes pupils disoriented in
physical exercises classes.
[0009] Another inconvenience included in the device disclosed in
the American patent is that in order to modify the stability of the
inflatable flexible element the users must change the inner
pressure, which is very impractical in many cases since it involves
interrupting the physical exercise class.
[0010] There are no devices for carrying out physical exercises
that comprise a support made of plastic that is reversible, with
adjustable height, with a flat side for working the physical
condition in general and aerobic and cardio areas specifically, and
another side that comprises an inflatable flexible element that
allows users to carry out exercises to improve balance,
proprioception and coordination.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The object of this invention is to develop a device to carry
out physical exercises improving the physical condition in general
and aerobic, cardio, balance, proprioception and co-ordination
areas specifically. The device also solves the aforementioned
inconveniences and presents the advantages described hereunder.
[0012] In line with this objective, the device of the invention
comprises a double-sided support, one upper and one lower, one of
which is considerably rigid and the other side includes an
inflatable flexible element or the like and is characterized in
that it comprises resting means for the support that allow users to
perform aerobic and cardio exercises on the considerably rigid side
and work on their physical condition in general.
[0013] Thanks to these characteristics, the device of the invention
is reversible and allows users to work on the areas of aerobic,
cardio, balance, proprioception and coordination, integrating a
vast range of exercises and functions in a single element.
[0014] The term inflatable flexible element or the like refers to
an element that admits elastic deformation to the extent admitted
by any inflatable flexible element or, for example, an element made
of a foam-based material.
[0015] The term considerably rigid refers to an element that is
more rigid than the flexible element or the like.
[0016] Preferably, said inflatable flexible element or the like is
detachable and annexed to the support by joining means.
[0017] Preferably, said joining means comprises a housing, that
accommodates said inflatable flexible element or the like.
[0018] Since the inflatable flexible element is detachable, it can
be used individually and users can employ it upturned when carrying
out physical exercises such as press ups or use it to lean their
body on, etc. Furthermore, if said flexible element is inflatable,
given its detachable nature, the stability of said inflatable
flexible element is variable as regards direction and strength for
one same inflation pressure, since said element behaves differently
when used individually and when used restricted in the housing
located on one of the sides of the support. Thus, the stability of
the element can be adjusted without having to interrupt the class
to inflate or deflate the device.
[0019] Preferably said resting means are feet that rotate from the
support and around a considerably horizontal axis.
[0020] In view of these characteristics, the height of the device
can be modified, allowing users to work with a varied range of
levels of difficulty when carrying out exercises, since the device
can also be used with the support bases looking outwards, leaning
it directly on either of the upper or lower sides of the
support.
[0021] Preferably, the housing that accommodates the flexible
element and the flexible element or the like itself, comprise means
to fix their position securely. This aspect guarantees the fixing
of said flexible element onto the support, whilst the device is
being used.
[0022] Preferably, said inflatable flexible element or the like is
slightly dished. Consequently, the flexible element provides less
instability when carrying out balance exercises. The support area
is larger than that of a semi-spherical flexible element, thus
facilitating exercises, reducing the risk of injuries and improving
support in exercises in which users are laying down or leaning on
the device. On the other hand, it must be stated that, if the
flexible element is inflatable, since it is slightly dished, it
allows users to carry out gentle cardio exercises as well as
balance exercises.
[0023] Preferably, said flexible element, being inflatable, has a
rectangular base.
[0024] The rectangular shape of the base helps users orient
themselves when compared to the same element with a circular shape
base, since it avoids having to refer to other elements in the
environment, which facilitates group exercises. Another advantage
of the flexible element with a rectangular base, compared to the
flexible element with a circular base, is that its behavior is
marked by two symmetry axes, which implies two different
instabilities in terms of the direction of use and support, instead
of the same 360.degree. instability.
[0025] Preferably, said contact platform is made of a point-elastic
material that has the capacity to absorb and restore energy. This
allows for an optimal damping and bounce, which results in safety
and comfort when carrying out the physical exercises.
[0026] Preferably said inflatable flexible element or the like
comprises the area of the base that is the thickest or has the
highest density, which results in an area with the highest rigidity
that avoids excessive or inconvenient deformation whilst exercises
are carried out, and facilitates the restriction of said support
element.
[0027] Optionally, said detachable inflatable flexible element or
the like comprises a platform joined to the base.
[0028] Also preferably, said flexible element, being inflatable,
comprises supports on its base. Therefore avoiding the fact that
the central part of the base of the flexible element is leaning
directly on the floor or the base of the housing, which would
consequently lead to it changing its behavior when carrying out
exercises.
[0029] Preferably, said support comprises gaps to partially
scramble said feet, this allows for greater safety when carrying
out the exercises, when the device is used leaning on either of the
sides of the support.
[0030] Advantageously, said device comprises means to adjust the
height. Thus, users can carryout exercises employing a wide range
of different heights.
[0031] Preferably, said support comprises means to fix elastic
bands to it that allow users to improve muscle toning, bodybuilding
and rehabilitation.
[0032] Advantageously, said support, said feet and said flexible
element comprise means to hold and handle it easily without having
to hold it by the area that has been trodden on.
[0033] Advantageously, said inflatable flexible element, being
inflatable, comprises at least one valve to modify the pressure
inside it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] So as to enable a better understanding of the terms stated
above, a series of drawings have been included to, schematically
and illustratively, represent a practical case of the
embodiment.
[0035] In said drawings,
[0036] FIGS. 1 and 6 show an exploded view of a first and second
preferred embodiment of the device of this invention.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a view of a first preferred embodiment of the
device presenting the side including the inflatable flexible
element.
[0038] FIGS. 3 and 8 show a view of the first and second preferred
embodiments of the device of the invention presenting the feet in
an open position, in parallel to the support.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a view of a first preferred embodiment of the
device of the invention presenting the side including the contact
platform.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a view of several devices such as the one
envisaged in this invention piled on top of each other.
[0041] FIG. 7 show a view of the base of the inflatable flexible
element in a second preferred embodiment of the device of the
invention.
[0042] FIGS. 9 and 10 show two views of the second preferred
embodiment of the device of the invention in which a raiser has
been attached.
DESCRIPTION OF TWO PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 present a device of the invention that
comprises a support 1 made of blown or roto-moulded plastic that
defines an upper and lower side. Each side includes a housing 2.
One of said housings 2 accommodates, vertically and detachably, an
inflatable flexible element 3, whilst the other accommodates a
contact platform 4. The support 1 comprises support feet 5 located
on the two lateral parallel sides. Both the support 1 and the feet
5 comprise materials and/or anti-sliding elements that help to keep
the object in the same position whilst it is being used.
[0044] The contact platform 4 has a flat side 6 for users to carry
out aerobic and cardio exercises. Said platform is manufactured in
a polymeric material which is foam Ethyl-Vinyl-Acetate-based, that
is highly resistant and created to absorb impacts. It is a
point-elastic synthetic flooring that allows an excellent
restitution of energy since it contains micro cellular closed cell
foam.
[0045] The flexible element 3 is inserted vertically in the housing
2 of one of the sides of the support 1, where it is sufficiently
fixed for users to stand on the device without it moving. As can be
observed, it is a rectangular base inflatable element, with rounded
corners, sides perpendicular to the base and an slightly dished
upper side. The base can be thicker, with several handles shaped
like rebates and/or hollows that allow users to hold the flexible
element 3 easily when using it individually. It can be used
upturned for exercises such as press up or when users need to lean
on it, etc.
[0046] The slightly dished upper side of the flexible element 3
allows users to work on their balance without having to counter the
instability the same element 3 would present with a semi-spherical
upper side. Furthermore, the rectangular shape of the base, aids
users' orientation, who do not have to refer to other elements in
the environment (walls, lines, etc.), thus facilitating group
exercises when compared to the same element with a circular
base.
[0047] As displayed in FIG. 3, the feet 5 can rotate 180.degree.
around an axis located on each of the lateral sides, and parallel
to the upper and lower sides, being able to present three different
positions. FIG. 3 presents the feet 5 completely opened towards the
outside, accommodated on either flank of the sides of the support
1. In this case, the device can be positioned directly on the
floor, on the side comprising the platform 4, thus leaving it ready
for use on the side that comprises the flexible element 3, to carry
out balance exercises. The support feet 5 can also be positioned on
the side comprising the platform 4 (see FIG. 2), with which the
device would be ready for use on the side comprising the flexible
element 3, although, in this case, in a more elevated position,
thus allowing users to work on balance with a higher level of
difficulty.
[0048] The feet 5 can also be positioned on the side that comprises
the flexible element 3; consequently the device is ready for use on
the side that comprises the platform 4 (see FIG. 4), in order to
allow users to carry out aerobic and cardio exercises.
[0049] The fact that the feet 5 can be rotated allows users to
adjust the height with which they use the device. This aspect,
together with the fact that the flexible element 3 is detachable,
allows for the device to be used in a series of different
manners:
[0050] 1. Side of the support 1 on the flank comprising the
platform 4, positioned on feet 5.
[0051] 2. Side of the support 1 on the flank comprising the
platform 4, positioned directly on the opposite side for aerobic
and cardio exercises, at a lower height.
[0052] 3. Side of the support 1 on the flank comprising the
platform 4, with one of the feet 5 in an open position, 180.degree.
as regards the support and the other base in an open position,
90.degree. as regards the other side of the platform 4, to allow
users to carry out inclined aerobic and cardio exercises, or
exercises that are performed laying down, such as sit ups, for
example.
[0053] 4. Side of the support 1 on the flank comprising element 3,
positioned on feet 5.
[0054] 5. Side of the support 1 on the flank comprising element 3,
positioned directly on the opposite side, to allow users to perform
balance exercises at a lower height.
[0055] 6. Side of the support 1 on the flank comprising the element
3, with one of the feet 5 in an open position, 180.degree. as
regards the support and the other base in an open position,
90.degree. as regards the other side of said element 3, to allow
users to carry out inclined balance exercises, and exercises laying
down using said flexible element 3 as their support element.
[0056] 7. Flexible element 3 positioned upturned on the platform 4
of the device with the latter positioned directly on the floor.
[0057] 8. Flexible element 3 positioned upturned on the platform 4
of the device with the latter positioned on the bases 5.
[0058] 9. Flexible element 3 individually in an upright
position.
[0059] 10. Flexible element 3 individually in an upturned
position.
[0060] 11. Use of the device according to 1, combined with the use
of the flexible element 3 individually, in an upright and upturned
position.
[0061] 12. Use of the device according to 2, with the use of the
flexible element 3 individually, in an upright and upturned
position.
[0062] The behavior of the flexible element 3 can vary in terms of
the direction and the strength for one same inflation pressure,
since it behaves differently when used individually and used
accommodated in the support 1. As deduced from the different uses
set out in the previous paragraph, the device of the invention
allows users to work on their physical condition in general, and
improve aerobic, cardio, balance, proprioception and coordination
areas specifically, jointly and individually, at different heights,
with one single element integrating a vast range of exercises and
functions, such as rehabilitation exercises amongst others
[0063] Another advantage of the device of the invention is that it
can be piled up easily, as displayed in figure 5.
[0064] FIGS. 6 to 10 correspond to a preferred second embodiment of
the invention. The details that differentiate this second
embodiment from the first preferred embodiment appear
hereunder.
[0065] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the support 1 comprises a housing
2 with a series of flaps 7 on the side walls that fit into the
recesses 8 located on the side walls of the flexible element 3. The
joint fitting of the flaps 7 and the recesses 8 allows for the
correct fixture of the flexible element 3 in the housing 2, thus
avoiding a lateral movement or unwanted deformation, towards the
inside of the edges, when stepping on the device laterally.
[0066] Furthermore, the housing 2 comprises a series of ribs 9
positioned on the base that adapt to the recesses 10 of the
flexible element 3 to ensure a suitable adjustment of said element
3 in the housing 2, which are also used to strengthen, as do the
flaps 7, the structure of said support 1.
[0067] The support 1 comprises a series of grooves 11 located on
the larger sides, that are used to attach elastic bands that allow
users to practice toning up and body building.
[0068] Said support 1 and the feet 5 comprise a recess 12 on their
sides that acts as a handle to pick up the device. The four corners
of the upper and lower sides of the support 1 of the device present
rubber plugs 13 to avoid it sliding when the support 1 is
positioned directly on the floor.
[0069] The smaller sides of the support 1 comprise a gap 14 with
housings 15 on the side in which the nipple 16 of the head of the
feet 5 is inserted to establish the three positions of said
rotating base 5. The gap 14 is designed in order to allow the
fitting of the head of said feet 5 onto the support 1, when said
feet are positioned in an open position, 180.degree. as regards the
support 1. FIG. 8 presents a vision of the feet 5 in said position,
180.degree. as regards the support 1.
[0070] The inflatable flexible element 3 considered in the second
preferred embodiment presents a slightly dished upper surface, the
edges of which converge with the surface of the side of the support
1, avoiding the appearance of steps that constitute a risk of
injuries of the user.
[0071] As noticeable in FIG. 6, the upper surface of the inflatable
flexible element 3 has incorporated a series of superficial ribs 17
to avoid the user slipping when carrying out the exercises.
[0072] FIG. 7 presents the base of said flexible element 3
displaying the recesses 10, corresponding to a ribs, that make the
base of the element 3 more rigid, and a ridge 18 throughout the
whole contour which, provides greater rigidity, and also acts as a
support for said base, both when said flexible element 3 is used
individually and when it is accommodated in support 1. The
existence of said ridge 18 avoids the central part of the base of
the flexible element 3 being positioned directly on the floor or on
the base of the housing 2, and consequently, that said flexible
element 3 modifies its behavior when the user is carrying out
exercises.
[0073] FIG. 7 also presents a valve 19 to vary the pressure of the
flexible element 3, as well as a view of the recesses 8 on the
sides of the flexible element 3, that fit into the flaps 7 located
on the housing 2 of the support 1. On the smaller sides, said
recesses 8 configure a flap 20 that is used as a handle for the
flexible element 3.
[0074] FIGS. 9 and 10 present a device of the invention with a
raiser 21 inserted on the feet 5, said raiser 21 is a double-height
article, and consequently users can modify the height they employ
to work on the device.
[0075] The device in FIG. 9 is prepared for use on the side that
comprises the flexible element 3, to carry out balance,
proprioception and coordination exercises, although in this case,
they are carried out from a higher position given the introduction
of the raiser 21. In FIG. 10, the device is prepared for use on the
side that comprises the contact platform 4, to carry out aerobic
and cardio exercises, although in this case, they are carried out
from a higher position given the introduction of the double-height
raiser 21.
[0076] Despite it has not been presented in either of the preferred
embodiments, the device of the invention can be used in water
activities, since support 1 has a lid that allows it to be filled
up with water and a ballast, that enables the device to be
submerged underwater during its use and consequently allows it to
be used to carry out physical exercises.
[0077] Although this refers to two specific embodiments of the
invention, obviously a person skilled in the art may introduce
variations and modifications, or replace details with others that
are technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of
protection defined by the claims attached.
* * * * *