The present disclosure relates to exercise devices. In particular, exercise devices that may be used in a plurality of positions to condition various parts of the body.
The disclosed exercise device supports and orientates the body in diverse ways to enable effective exercising. In addition, the exercise device provides resistance and a method to vary the resistance to exercise different muscles of different strengths, to vary the resistance whilst exercising specific groups of muscles, to match the level of resistance to the change in muscle strength as the muscle tires while exercising, and to increase resistance as the strength of a muscle increases over time.
Existing exercise devices often position a user very close to the ground or on the ground, making it uncomfortable for the user to exercise and making it difficult for an unconditioned person to use the exercise device or aid.
Traditional exercise devices may also pose a risk to the user by allowing the exercise device to tip too far backwards during use.
Conventional exercise devices often provide insufficient resistance and no ability to vary the resistance as a user improves their strength.
The disclosed exercise device may allow an exerciser to position themselves more comfortably and safer than on existing exercising aids. The unique asymmetrical shape may enhance exercise results by improving safety. The shape may provide a more stable structure that inhibits or eliminates tipping past a point in which a user is in control of the device position. Furthermore, resulting from the asymmetrical shape of the device, an increase in exercise resistance can be achieved compared to other soft material exercise devices.
The invention provides an exercise device comprising an inflatable, or semi-solid, or solid body with a structure having a surface with multiple curved portions that allow the device to move in a controlled manner when a user in engaged with the device, and provide various amounts of resistance a user may apply to obtain the level of workout intensity desired.
The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
In one illustrative embodiment, exercise device 1 may comprise an inflatable body with air as the fill inside the body. The volume of air may be unevenly distributed, with first rounded end 12 containing a volume of air that is significantly more than what is contained in second rounded end 14.
First side 8 of exercise device 1 may be curved outwardly in a first direction extending between first rounded end 12 and second rounded end 14.
To exercise, an exerciser may use exercise device 1 in at least two ways: First, by positioning exercise device 1 with its first side 8 on the floor as shown in
Also, when exercising sitting in concave area 16 adjacent to the relatively smaller second rounded end 14 with the back pressed against convex support 18 adjacent to the relatively large first rounded end 12, the asymmetrical shape in general and in particular the relatively larger first rounded end 12 of exercise device 1 prevents or inhibits it from being tipped too far backwards by providing a counterforce that resists the force applied by the exerciser, which may reduce the risk of potential injury to the exerciser.
By moving the body's center of gravity and/or by pulling with the feet against the ground, generates a force that is applied against the second rounded end 14. Resulting from the asymmetrical shape of exercise device 1, when applying force while sitting in concave area 16 adjacent to the relatively small second rounded end 14, exercise device 1 generates a force for exercising that becomes progressively lighter the further the second rounded end 14 is rotated and tipped forwards towards the floor.
As shown in
Generally, specific distances, distance ranges and relative distances described as measured from the ground are taken with exercise device 1 at rest on its convex surface 8.
The structure of the exercise device may include optional handles 6, which can be gripped by an exerciser during use of exercise device 1. In the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings, handles 6 are located toward second rounded end 14. In a further embodiment, handles 6 are more centrally located, such as beneath concave area 16, as viewed in
The exercise device may include an air valve 4 to enable pumping or blowing air into inflatable body 2. Valve 4 may be recessed to reduce unwanted contact by an exerciser with the valve.
Further details of the structure and use of exercise device 1 will now be provided.
Turning to
In position b, the exerciser is pushing against convex support 18, causing inflatable body 2 to roll and rotate counterclockwise along the outwardly curved first side 8, causing first rounded end 12 to move closer to the ground and second rounded end 14 to move further away from the ground. Resulting from the asymmetrical shape of inflatable body 2, as the exerciser continues to push against convex support 18 and the inflatable body rolls and rotates counterclockwise, the resistance of pushing against convex support 18 progressively increases, making the exercise more difficult to perform. Also, resulting from first rounded end 12 forming part of convex support 18 and by sitting on second rounded end 14 on the opposite side of inflatable body 2, when rotating the asymmetrical structure counterclockwise, inflatable body 2 is restrained from rolling and rotating too far backwards, hindering tipping too far backwards, which could potentially cause injury to the exerciser.
Turning back to
The radius 26 of concave area 16 may be in the range of 185-205 mm A further illustrative range of radius 26 is 190-200 mm. In illustrative embodiments the relationship between the radius 22 of second rounded end 14 and radius 26 of concave area 16 of second side 10, may be described for example, as radius 26 of concave area 16 of second side 10 being in the range of 1.6-1.9 times larger than radius 22 of second rounded end 14, or further radius 26 may be 1.7-1.8 times larger than radius 22. The relative radius 26 may advantageously provide improved back support for common exercises such as crunches.
The relative radii of radius 20 of first rounded end 12 to radius 26 of concave area 16 of second side 10, may also promote device stability, comfort and user support. In an illustrative embodiment radius 20 of first rounded end 12 is 11% to 14% larger than radius 26 of concave area 16.
As noted above, the asymmetrical shape of exercise device 1 may provide stability and facilitate different exercises. The difference in height of first rounded end 12 and second rounded end 14 from the ground may provide these advantages. In an illustrative embodiment, height 30 as measured from the top of first rounded end 12 to the ground is in the range of about 620-660 mm A further illustrative range of height 30 is 610-650 mm.
In an illustrative embodiment, height 32 as measured from the top of second rounded end 14 to the ground is in the range of about 340-380 mm A further illustrative range of height 32 is 350-370 mm. In an illustrative embodiment height 30 is 70%-80% greater than height 32. In a further illustrative embodiment height 32 is 70%-80% of height 30.
In an illustrative embodiment, height 30 is in the range of 555 mm to 595 mm, and height 32 is in the range of 415 mm to 455 mm.
Illustrative ranges of the radius 24 of first side 8 include, 500-540 mm and 510-530 mm. The radius 26 relative to radius 24 may advantageously provide improved rotation of first side 8 when an exerciser performs exercises whilst positioned on second side 10 of exercise device 1.
Illustrative positions of the center points of arcs that define first round end and second round end are as follows. Center point 38 of first rounded end may be positioned in the range of 400-440 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1. Center point 40 of second rounded end 14 may be positioned in the range of 230-270 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1.
In a further illustrative embodiment center point 38 of first rounded end may be positioned in the range of 300-400 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1. Center point 40 of second rounded end 14 may be positioned in the range of −270-370 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1.
First rounded end 12 may be defined by a first arc having a first center point. Second rounded end 14 may be defined by a second arc having a second center point. Radius 20 of first rounded end 12 is then defined by a distance between the first center point and a point on the first arc, and radius 22 of second rounded end 14 is defined by a distance between the second center point and a point of the second arc.
An illustrative position of center point 42 of arc of first side 8 is in the range of 500-540 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1.
An illustrative position of center point 44 of concave area 16 is in the range of 475-515 mm from the bottom of exercise device 1.
An illustrative position of handle 6 is schematically shown in
Width 28 extends between a point at which a circle defined by radius 20 of first round end 12 meets a circle defined by radius 24 of first side 8, and a point at which a circle defined by radius 22 of second round end 14 meets the circle defined by radius 24 of first side 8. As shown in
In an illustrative embodiment, a first circle 52 defined by radius 20 of first rounded end 12 and a second circle 54 defined by radius 22 of second rounded end 14, are both within a third circle 56 defined by radius 24 of first side 8. A fourth circle 58 defined by radius 26 of the concave area 16 of second side 10 meets each of first circle 52 and second circle 54. As shown, circles 52, 54, 56, 58 abut one another, but as will be understood by the ranges and sizes of various dimensions, the illustrative circles can be laid out with some overlap. Thus, the relative positions of circles 52, 54, 56, 58 depicted having radii 20, 22, 24, 26, respectively may be varied from what is shown in
In an illustrative embodiment, the center of circle 56 formed by radius 24 of the convex surface of first side 8 is higher than the center of circle 58 formed by radius 26 of the concave portion of second side 10, which is higher than the center of circle 52 formed by radius 20 of first rounded end 12, which is higher than the center of circle 54 formed by radius 22 of second rounded end 14. This configuration can facilitate a user performing exercises while having their feet on the ground, while allowing for the user to more easily return to a standing position. Furthermore, having the surface of side 8 being a continuous arc extending from circles 52, 54 formed by radii 20 and 22 further assists in balancing exercise device 1 and providing the ability to rock to a sufficient degree to perform various conditioning exercises.
Turning back to
U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,307B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,988B2 describe exercising aids that have shortcomings that may be overcome by embodiments of the exercise device disclosed herein. Some of the shortcomings of prior art exercising aids include: difficulty for an unconditioned user to perform exercises using the device and to stand up from a seated position on the aid; risk of injury from the exercising aid tipping backward; and resistance being lower than may be needed to achieve the desired workout level.
The invention includes methods of exercising, conditioning and physical therapy having the steps of: providing an exercise device according to any of the embodiments described herein and their equivalents, and performing physical therapy, strengthening, balancing or conditioning exercises using the device to facilitate the exercises, including varying resistance while performing the exercises. In a particular embodiment, exercise device 1 is inflated or deflated to a firmness conducive to a selected exercise.
While the invention has been described by illustrative embodiments, additional advantages and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to specific details shown and described herein. Modifications, for example, to specific shapes and sizes and incorporation of equivalent components, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosed exercise device not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiments, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2020/00975 | Feb 2020 | ZA | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/514,582, filed Oct. 29, 2021, entitled Exercise Device, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/144,735, filed Jan. 8, 2021, entitled Exercise Device, which is a continuation of International Application PCT/US2020/021521, filed Mar. 6, 2020, entitled Exercise Device, which claims priority to South African provisional application number 2020/00975, filed Feb. 17, 2020, entitled Exercise Device, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220288446 A1 | Sep 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17514582 | Oct 2021 | US |
Child | 17829974 | US | |
Parent | PCT/US2020/021521 | Mar 2020 | US |
Child | 17144735 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17144735 | Jan 2021 | US |
Child | 17514582 | US |