U.S. patent application number 11/804758 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for apparatus to maintain spinal alignment during the squat exercise.
Invention is credited to Michael Mac Millan.
Application Number | 20070287606 11/804758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38822658 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070287606 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mac Millan; Michael |
December 13, 2007 |
Apparatus to maintain spinal alignment during the squat
exercise
Abstract
The invention is an apparatus that allows weight resistance to
be applied to the upper torso during the performance of the squat
exercise and actively aligns the spine to reduce the chance of
spinal injury. The apparatus consists of a set of pads or rests on
the shoulders in front of the spine which are connected through a
pivot or lever to a lower back rest or pad behind the spine which
create and maintain spinal alignment. The pivot between the front
and back rests, is positioned over, but not contacting, the spinal
axis of the user and is the point at which resistance is
applied.
Inventors: |
Mac Millan; Michael;
(Gainesville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Mac Millan
4964 SW 91st Drive
Gainesville
FL
32608
US
|
Family ID: |
38822658 |
Appl. No.: |
11/804758 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60809216 |
May 30, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/97 ;
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0628 20151001;
A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 2023/0411 20130101; A63B 2230/62
20130101; A63B 21/4047 20151001; A63B 2208/0223 20130101; A63B
2208/0204 20130101; A63B 23/0233 20130101; A63B 23/0244
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/097 ;
482/094 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06; A63B 21/08 20060101 A63B021/08 |
Claims
1) An apparatus to maintain spinal alignment during the squat
exercise comprising: A rest or plurality of rests that are
positioned against the anterior to middle portion of the shoulders
generally capable of exerting a downward and posteriorly directed
force; A rest or plurality of rests positioned against the lower
spine, i.e. small of the back, generally exerting an anteriorly
directed force; A connecting member between the anterior shoulder
rests and the posterior lower back rests of each side, such that
when the user exerts force onto either rest, the opposite rest will
exert a reciprocal rotational force against the user; A point on
the connecting member between the rests, that lies along the
neutral, i.e. mechanical, axis of the spine, where resistance can
be applied and transmitted to the user through the anterior and
posterior rests; The result of the forces created by the opposing
anterior shoulder rests and lower back rests, is that the spine is
compelled to remain in alignment and is prevented from flexing
forward.
2) An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the rests applied to
anterior and middle potions of the shoulders are comprised of two
parallel rests that lie on the left and right side of the
shoulders, and contact the front to middle portion of the
shoulders; generally capable of exerting a posteriorly directed
force.
3) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member
between the shoulder rests and the lower back rests is in fact a
lever whose pivot point is positioned over the neutral, i.e.
mechanical, axis of spine, which generally lies behind the head and
over the middle of the posterior shoulders.
4) An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a connecting
member from each of the shoulder rests, which travels through the
pivot point of the connecting member and extends posteriorly behind
the user and behind the neutral mechanical axis of the spine.
5) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member
from the shoulder rests which proceeds posteriorly, past the pivot
point, will be intersected by and have attached to it a transverse
crosspiece between the connecting members of each side.
6) An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a lumbar rest
attached to the transverse crosspiece between the left and right
sides; which can rotate in an arc around this transverse connector
for the purpose of engaging the lumbar rest against the low
back.
7) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the the pivot point
on the connecting member between the anterior shoulder rests and
the posterior lumbar rests can engage a long lever arm that is
hinged on an external, immobile base, such that when the user
exerts force on the applied shoulder and lumbar pads, the engaged
lever arm will be raised and travel up with the user. Any
resistance carried by or applied to the external lever arm will
likewise be carried by the user, through the lever arm attachment
on the pivot point of the connecting member between the anterior
shoulder rests and the posterior shoulder rests.
8) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot point on
the lever between the anterior shoulder rests and the posterior
lumbar rest can have weight resistance applied directly to it by
means of a hook, a peg, a post, or a cradle that holds a weight
plate, a barbell or a dumbbell onto the pivot.
9) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot point on
the lever between the anterior shoulder rests and the posterior
lumbar rest can have weight resistance applied directly to it by
means of a cable or a plurality of cables that exert a downward
force.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] I hereby claim the benefit of my earlier provisional patent
application "Lumbar Load Sharing Upright Squat Apparatus",
application No. 60/809,216.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Throughout history man has manipulated heavy loads by
placing poles, yokes, and bars across the shoulders and behind the
neck. In this position the load would lie directly along a
vertical-axis that traveled almost exclusively through supporting
skeletal structures. While resting behind the neck, a straight line
can be drawn from the load through the body going directly towards
the ground. This line of application lies along the mechanical axis
of the spine passes through the center of the pelvis, and exits at
the point where the heels are placed on the ground. By having the
load transmitted through skeletal structures, this line of
application can support large amounts of weight with little risk of
injury.
[0003] In industrialized societies, the use of shoulder-bone
material handling has largely been eliminated. The primary
remaining use of applying loads across the shoulders is in
performing physical exercise. For the purposes of health, fitness,
and athletic performance, individuals will apply loads across the
shoulders and behind the neck while performing a deep knee bend
maneuver. The added resistance of the shoulder-borne weight is
beneficial in developing muscle in the lower extremities. As a
general rule, an exercise movement in which the lifter is standing
upright, bearing load across the shoulders and lowering and raising
the torso by bending the knees and hips is called a "squat".
[0004] The relative merits of this exercise have been debated for
years, but it suffices to say that it is a widely performed
exercise movement. One well recognized, significant concern with
this movement has to do with amount of weight that is delivered to
the spinal column during its performance. The spine is
biomechanically designed to accommodate large axial loads while it
is in the extended, upright posture. This is attributed to
appropriately distributing the load across certain load bearing
regions of each individual vertebra. In the area of most concern,
the low back, these load bearing regions are called the anterior
(front), middle, and posterior (rear) columns of the spine. The
least capable area of bearing load is the anterior column of the
lumbar spine. This is because the soft nucleus, or center, of the
intervertebral disc is located here, and under excessive loading
could potentially rupture. The middle column is more capable of
load bearing. Here the load is resisted by the thick outer wall of
the disc which can support large loads without risk of rupture.
Finally, the posterior column is best suited to bear weight because
it consists entirely of bony elements and joints which have high
compressive strength capabilities.
[0005] The primary adaptation that the human body has made to
protect the spine is to have the lumbar vertebra curve backwards to
form an arch. The concave portion of the arch forms what is seen as
the small of the back. This curved arch serves to compress down on
the bony posterior column and the fibrous middle column, while
unloading the softer nucleus in the front of the spine. This is the
position that the spine must be held in during the squat exercise
so that the load does not cause damage to the low back.
[0006] It can however be difficult to maintain an arch in the low
back while performing squats. The most common error is among people
first learning the movement. They can simply just lose their
balance and lean forward. Also, even in experienced exercisers,
fatigue of the back muscles, responsible for maintaining the back
arch, can occur during the exercise and again the spine leans
forward and the discs are endangered. Finally, the actual motion of
the squat exercise itself can put the low back at risk. When
descending deeply in the squat position, the inherent biomechanics
of the squat motion itself necessitates that the trunk lean forward
to maintain the mechanical axis. If, in leaning forward, the weight
on the shoulders exceeds the ability of the lifter to maintain the
proper back arch, the force across the spine can shift forward and
endanger the less resilient structures.
[0007] Because of the potential of injury to the low back, the
squat exercise is often avoided, despite its effectiveness in
developing the important muscles of the lower extremities. The
purpose, therefore, of this Invention, is to modify the load
application of resistance to the spine and upper body, so that the
squat exercise can be performed with minimal risk of injuring the
low back.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The concept of the invention is to create from the single
downward line of force application of the weight, two separate,
opposing points of force application that pivot around a central
axis. The source of the resistance is applied through this central
pivot and along the mechanical axis of the spine and pelvis, just
above the shoulders and behind the neck. The actual pivoting point
does not contact the lifter, but instead, transmits the applied
load to two opposing lever arms that extend out in opposite
directions from this point. The front lever will consist of two
parallel, padded rests which will go horizontally forward on either
side of the head to reach the front of the shoulders. These lever
arms, being positioned forward to the pivot, will tend to rotate
upwards and backwards when force is applied to them from the front
of the shoulders. The rear lever arm is also attached to the
rotating pivot point, and extends posteriorly and vertically
downward, towards the low back. When the lifter pushes upward onto
the forward lever arms, the rear, lower arm (which is padded)
rotates downwardly and forwardly to engage the small of the back.
The net effect of the opposing rear and forward arms help protect
the lifter in two ways. First, the rear arm applies pressure into
the small of the back maintains the protective arched position.
Second, the low back now shares the load of the applied force with
the shoulders. Thus, the pivoting apparatus prevents flexion of the
lumbar spine and distributes the load lower on the trunk.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The features of the invention are apparent in supplied
drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The unique features will be readily
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art of exercise and
exercise machine construction. The pertinent members or components
of the invention are shown first with the apparatus unoccupied in
FIG. 1 and then with a user engaged in the apparatus in FIG. 2. The
side view with the user in place shows the relationship of the
points of contact of the apparatus against the user.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the apparatus showing
the spatial relationship of each of the members to each other, and
one means for load to be applied to the apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus with a user engaged
within the apparatus. The side view again demonstrates not only the
relationship of each of the members of the apparatus to each other;
but also demonstrates the relationship and points of application of
each of the components onto the user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring to the drawings, wherein the reference numerals
throughout both drawings refer to like parts on each drawing. The
rotating central pivots, 1, are actually two like members, one on
each side. As shown in FIG. 1, each rotating central pivot, 1,
consists of first, a cylindrical sleeve attached on one end to a
metal bracket, 10, with arms of the bracket extending out in both
directions from the attachment point of the sleeve. The rotating
central pivot, 1, is also comprised of a metal shaft or axle which
is contained within the sleeve. As shown in FIG. 1, the shaft or
axle which extends out of each rotating central pivot, 1, extends
away from the sleeve and terminates onto and rigidly affixes to the
resistance application lever, 4. In this preferred embodiment, the
resistance for the performance of the squat exercise is delivered
through the resistance application lever, 4, such that a weight or
resistance that is applied in a downward direction to the
resistance arm lever, 4, will be transmitted from the resistance
application lever, 4, and through the shaft member of the rotating
central pivot, 1, by means of its rigid attachment to the
resistance arm lever, 4.
[0013] The resistive force that is applied downwardly to the
resistance application lever, 4, is therefore transmitted to the
rotating central pivot, 1, by means of the rigid attachment of Its
axle component to the resistance application lever, 4. As described
previously, the sleeve component of the rotating central pivot, 1,
is rigidly attached to a metal bracket, 10, that extends out both
forwardly and backwardly from its attachment. By means of Its rigid
attachment to the metal bracket, 10, any resistive force
encountered by the rotating central pivot, 1, is transmitted into
the metal bracket, 10. The rotating central pivots, 1, on each side
are coaxial to the other in relation to the respective rotation of
the shaft of each within its respective sleeve.
[0014] As stated, the metal bracket, 10, extends out in both
directions from its attachment to the sleeve of the rotating
central pivot, 1. One direction that the bracket extends along is
called, "forward". As seen in FIG. 2, there is an orientation of
the user in the apparatus such that the user faces in one preferred
direction. The direction that the user faces is called the forward
direction. Any lever, armature, or bracket that extends along a
path opposite to the forward facing user will be considered to be
extending in the "backward" direction. The central point from which
the bracket extends in either direction is in fact the rotating
central pivot, 1.
[0015] The position of the user in relation to the rotating central
pivots, 1, is a critical relationship. The user must be positioned
in such a way that the axis of the rotating central pivots lies
perpendicular and intersects a line that travels along the vertical
mechanical axis of the spine of the user. The spinal axis of the
user varies somewhat between individuals, but generally lies along
a line that begins on the shoulders just behind the head, and then
travels down through the spine, the pelvis, and then enters the
ground in area of the heels. The relationship of the position of
the rotating central pivots to the spine of the user is shown in
FIG. 2. The forward portions of each of these metal brackets, 10,
also curve slightly downward. These forward portions of metal
brackets, 10, have affixed to them a curved, metal-backed, pad or
cushion which is called the anterior shoulder pad, 2. The purpose
of these pads is to lie against just the front part of the
shoulders of the user, i.e. in front of the rotating central pivot,
1, and in front of the user's vertical spinal axis. The lengths of
the forward portions of the metal brackets, 10, also cannot extend
so far forwardly that the user's spinal axis is no longer aligned
with the rotating central pivot, 1. Therefore, the length of the
forward portion of the metal bracket, 10, is determined by the
position of the rotating central pivot, 1, and how it aligns with
the vertical spinal axis and the relationship with the anterior
shoulder pads, 2, so that they engage the correct area of the
shoulders. The two anterior shoulder pads, 2, are separated by such
a distance that permits the user's head to lie between them. The
result of this relationship is that as the user exerts an upwardly
directed force against the anterior shoulder pads, 2, the front
portion of the metal bracket, 10, will tend to rotate upwardly
around the axis of the rotating central pivot, 1, simultaneously
causing the backward portions of each of the metal brackets to tend
to rotate downwardly.
[0016] The backward extension of each of the metal brackets, 10,
engages at its end a posterior axle, 8, which connects the metal
bracket, 10, of one side to the like member of the other. This
posterior axle, 8, is connected so that it can freely rotate. This
posterior axle, 8, has attached at its midportion a rigid member
which extends out and away, lying perpendicular to the axis of the
posterior axle, 8. This perpendicular member is called the lumbar
pad support post, 3. This support post by virtue of its rigid
attachment to the posterior axle, 8, rotates in the same arc of
motion as the axle it is attached to.
[0017] Along the length of the lumbar pad support post, 3, there is
a lumbar pad positioner, 7, which engages and slides along the
length of the lumbar pad support post, 3. Once the positioner is in
the desired position it can be securely fixed to the post by means
of a key or screw that locks the lumbar pad positioner, 7, to the
lumbar pad support post, 3.
[0018] Once the posterior axle, 8, is rotated into desired
position, it will need to then be rigidly locked in that position
to prevent the pressure of the users low back from moving it out of
the desired position. One means of accomplishing this is
demonstrated by item number 6 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0019] The mechanism indicated by number 6 in these figures is to
be called the posterior axle locking mechanism. This mechanism
consists of a flange which is rigidly affixed to and extends from
the posterior axle, 8, itself. In this embodiment the flange
contains a series of holes arranged in a circular pattern at some
distance from, and concentric to, the axis of rotation of the
posterior axle, 8. Aligned with these holes in the flange of the
posterior axle locking mechanism, 6, is a tab extending from and
rigidly affixed to a portion of the backward extension of the metal
bracket, 10. This tab, likewise, has a hole through it and this
hole can align with one of any of the holes contained in the flange
of the locking mechanism, 6, depending on the rotational position
of the posterior axle, 8. When the lumbar pad support post, 3, is
in the desired position, a key shown in item 6 in the figures, can
be placed through the hole in the flange of the locking mechanism,
6, and engage the hole in the tab attached adjoining metal bracket,
10. By having a key go through both holes, the locking mechanism,
6, is completely fixed in the desired position.
[0020] Attached to the lumbar pad positioner, 7, is the lumbar pad,
5. The lumbar pad, 5, is of such size as to contact and lie wholly
within the area called, "the small of the back" or lumbar spine. To
help maintain arm position within the apparatus, it is helpful to
have handles, 9, available. There are two cylindrical handles that
extend out from the front shoulder pads, 2.
* * * * *