The present invention relates to a trunk rotation apparatus used for exercising, strengthening or controlled rehabilitative movement.
Workers employed in physical labour and workers employed in sedentary labour both have need of a trunk rotation apparatus. Those involved in physical labour require the trunk rotation apparatus for controlled rehabilitative movement to recover from the effects of over exertion or injury. Those involved in sedentary labour require the trunk rotation apparatus to exercise their trunk to recover from the effects of prolonged inactivity.
The present invention relates to a trunk rotation apparatus suitable for both exercising, strengthening or controlled rehabilitative movement.
According to the present invention there is provided a trunk rotation apparatus which includes a support, a gripping bar and a mounting for mounting the gripping bar to the support for translation movement.
The trunk rotation apparatus, as described above enables a basic trunk gyration movement to be performed while maintaining one's feet on the floor.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the trunk rotation apparatus, as described above, a greater variety of movements may be performed when the mounting includes a universal joint permitting pivotal movement about a first substantially horizontal axis and pivotal movement about a second substantially horizontal axis, the second horizontal axis being substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal axis. This provides simultaneous translation movement through two planes.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the trunk rotation apparatus, as described above, the configuration of gripping bar that is preferred is arcuate with a first end, a second end and a central mounting point equidistant between the first end and the second end. The a arcuate gripping bar is oriented relative to the support to position the first end and the second end farther away from the support than is the central mounting point.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the trunk rotation apparatus, as described above, the preferred form of support is adapted to support the trunk rotation apparatus from above. It is preferred that the support be made so that it expands and contracts to raise or lower the gripping bar which adjusts the distance of the gripping bar relative to an underlying floor upon which a person making the movements must stand. One possible support configuration includes a peripheral mounting, a hub, and several arms (preferably three) securing the hub to the peripheral mounting. This configuration can be made to expand and contract by providing arms that are telescopically extendible.
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
The preferred embodiment, a trunk rotation apparatus generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to
Referring to
A mounting 50 is provided for mounting gripping bar 42 to hub 18 of support 12 for translation movement. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting 50 includes a universal joint 52 that permits pivotal movement about a first substantially horizontal axis 54 and pivotal movement about a second substantially horizontal axis 56. Second horizontal axis 56 is substantially perpendicular to first horizontal axis 54. Universal joint 52 allows simultaneous translation movement about both axis 54 and axis 56.
Operation:
The use and operation of trunk rotation apparatus 10 will now be described with reference to
Once installed, support 12 can be expanded or contracted, as described above, to lower and raise gripping bar 42 to suit the height of a user 58. Once securely installed and adjusted, trunk rotation apparatus 10 is suitable for exercising, strengthening or for controlled rehabilitative movements. In order to use trunk rotation apparatus 10, user 58 would grip gripping bar 42. User 58 can position his or her hands 60 at any position along gripping bar 42, as long as hands 60 are spaced equidistant from central mounting point 48. This may involve placing hands 60 close together or spread as far apart as possible with one hand 60 at first end 44 of gripping bar 42 and other hand 60 on second end 46 of gripping bar 42. By changing the positioning of their hands 60, user 58 changes the location of the resultant load taken by the back 62 and trunk 64. User 58 positions his or her body 66 in preparation for movement. This positioning need not be in vertical alignment with overhead trunk rotation device 10. In preparation for movement, user 58 may stand with feet 68 together or feet 68 apart. User 58 may stand off center by being forward or backward from vertical alignment. The various starting positions for hands 60, feet 68 and body 66 provide a wide range of load options for back 62 and trunk 64. There are also a variety of possible motions. Hereinafter, some of the motions will be described in order to demonstrate the utility of the device 10. It will be appreciated, however, that there are many other motions and exercises possible with trunk rotation apparatus 10.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A controlled stretching can also be performed by employing a “one side” pull to stretch first one and then the other side of the torso. This is accomplished by positioning the users hands asymmetrically on the gripping bar 42, with one hand close to central mounting point 48 and the other hand close to first end 44 or second end 46.
In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that, more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2342795 | Mar 2001 | CA | national |
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74397 | Jun 1994 | CA |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20020142897 A1 | Oct 2002 | US |