EP2318102A1

EP2318102A1 - A portable exercise device for releasable attachment about a movable joint of a user's body

Info

Publication number: EP2318102A1
Application number: EP09746034A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simon Bubb
Original assignee: Sybre Ltd
Current assignee: Iso-Tone Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-13
Filing date: 2009-05-08
Publication date: 2011-05-11
Also published as: GB0808631D0; GB2460039A; WO2009138717A1; GB2460039B

Abstract

A portable exercise device (41) for releasable attachment about a movable joint of a user's body. The device (41) comprising at least one selectively variable resistance hub (2) for location on a pivot axis of the movable body joint, first attachment means (1, 6) extending from the hub (2) for releasable connection to the body at a first side of the joint, and second attachment means (3, 4, 9) extending from the hub for releasable connection to the body at a second side of the joint which is opposite the first side. The first attachment means (1, 6) being pivotably engaged with the hub (2). The hub (2) includes a resistance device which is in the hub (2) and which is engaged with part of the first attachment means (1, 6). The resistance device comprises a fluid and a rotor (16). The in use rotor (16) acts against the fluid as the first attachment means (1, 6) is pivoted.

Description

i

A portable exercise device for releasable attachment about a movable joint of a user's body

This invention relates to an exercise device for human lower leg muscles, in particular an exercise device that forces the contraction of the gastrocnemius, soleus and tibilias anterior.

The lower leg muscles, in particular the gastrocnemius and soleus, which together make up the calf, and their antagonist tibilias anterior, contribute to the performance and efficiency of bipedal movement as they are responsible for plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the foot when standing, walking, running and jumping.

In the sports and fitness industries, lower limb dexterity, shape and strength are valuable assets in athletes who are more likely to succeed in their field. In the general gym going population, a balance of upper and lower body aesthetic development is sometimes just as important an attribute as performance. It is also known that in cases of sustained periodic inactivity such as rehabilitation from accidents or operations, leg muscles in particular often atrophy. Furthermore, circumstances that result in decreased mobility can cause everyday walking and climbing to develop into tasks that are performed with increased exertion.

Isotonic isolation exercises that target the lower leg muscles to increase size or performance often involve using large equipment that although effective are also cumbersome and suited to gymnasium environments. The alternatives are smaller, oversimplified or over-complicated devices that rely on bodyweight, gravity or rudimentary resistance mechanics. These said available alternatives fall short of an ideal combination of concentric and eccentric muscle contractions that can provide satisfactory exertion across a range of resistance and time to encourage type I, type Ha and type lib muscle fibre adaptation.

Typical examples of prior art consisting of large apparatus are patents: US 2006199707

(Webb & Ball), WO 2007046078 (Quinn), WO 2006102730 (Bedard & Boulay). The apparatus described therein effectively allow the user to facilitate type Ha and type lib muscle fibre contractions necessary for muscular hypertrophy through significant weight-bearing concentric and eccentric contractions in a seated, lying or standing position. Disadvantageously, in prior art such as WO 2006102730 (Bedard), the knee joint is usually fixed in a straight leg position mainly affecting the engagement of the gastrocnemius muscle which originates from the posterior medial and lateral condyles of the femur and inserts on the calcaneus, negating the effective use of the soleus. Disadvantageously, prior art US 5135457 (Caruso) describes an alternative, more than 90 degree knee position, mainly affecting the engagement of the soleus which originates on the proximal tibia and fibula and inserts into the calcaneus, negating the effective use of the gastrocnemius.

Smaller, possibly portable apparatus, often using gravity and bodyweight to exert a force sufficient for muscular contractions are described in prior art patents: US 4159111 (Lowth), GB 2370998B (Flynn), GB 2430632 (Liao), FR 2875139 (Dukan), DE 202004018526 (Muehling), AU 200214745 (Ashley). The apparatus described therein are viable as low intensity exercise devices for engaging type I muscle fibres in the calves due to less force required to contract muscle over a longer time period. Disadvantageously, patent CA 2390479 (Turner), is not sufficiently effective because biomechanical adaption necessary for muscle growth would depend on the ability to add load at the proximal end of a joint hierarchy. Therefore, a device that is able to provide the comparable variable resistance of fixed gym floor equipment in a compact portable design, allowing for a biomechanical range of joint angles to engage all dorsi flexor and plantar flexor muscle groups through type I, type Ha and type lib fibre activation would offer improvements upon prior art.

Many prior art exercise device designs or those on the market such as the 'Sky-King Calf Isolator' and 'Parabody Seated Leverage Calf Station' typically restrict the legs in a predetermined angle set by the physical design of the apparatus.

Apparatus invented to date such as patent US 6503178 (Gibbons), advantageously and in a similar fashion to the present invention encompasses the foot in a compact brace system allowing for use out of an exercise-specific location. However, the 'Calf Master' US 6503178 (Gibbons) concentrates on applying force in plantarflexion direction only with a single load thereby bypassing the possibility of using the tibialis muscle in a concentric contraction. Hypertrophy occurs when the muscle is contracted with more than body weight multiple times until the build up of lactic acid or the complete expense of creatine phosphate causes muscle to fatigue and cease effective contractions. In this case, microtraumas can occur along the length the muscle fibres. Consequently, protein aids the repair of the fibres but at increased density much like scarring, which in turn increases the muscles' size. Said adaption can only occur with progressive load such as that which is provided by the present invention.

Therefore, in light of such health and fitness needs to develop the plantar flexors and dorsi flexors, an exercise device with a high resistance mechanism, which ergonomically contours the skin and can possibly be worn under clothes for maximum portability, has been invented.

The present invention can improve the strength, size and efficiency of the lower leg muscles by means of enabling low repetitions, typically 2 to 6 at high resistance of 2.5x bodyweight, repetitions of 6 to 12 with medium resistance of 2x bodyweight, and repetitions of 12 or more with a lighter resistance of 1.5x bodyweight.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable exercise device for releasable attachment about a movable joint of a user's body, the device comprising at least one selectively variable resistance hub for location on a pivot axis of the movable body joint, first attachment means extending from the hub for releasable connection to the body at a first side of the joint, and second attachment means extending from the hub for releasable connection to the body at a second side of the joint which is opposite the first side, the first attachment means being pivotably engaged with the hub, and the hub including a resistance device which is in the hub and which is engaged with part of the first attachment means, the resistance device comprising a fluid and a rotor, the in use rotor acting against the fluid as the first attachment means is pivoted.

The present invention in the preferred embodiment addresses the issue of being able to work both agonist and antagonist calf muscles independently.

In particular, this is accomplished in a preferably advantageous embodiment of the device with two ankle-level laterally positioned high-resistance damper hubs independently providing varying degrees of tension or resistance. The resistance means may also be provided using other systems including, but not limited to, helical torsion springs Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b; effective yet less preferable due to the lack of variable resistance, or clock power springs Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b; less preferable due to the possible lack of sufficient resistance, or a modification on dashpot shock absorber system Fig. 8 which can provide high resistance with a control means to vary that resistance.

More particularly, the present invention provides two lower leg support struts connected to a foot bracket via two rotor control arms that pivot rotors within two hubs comprising hydraulic damping chambers providing resistance in one direction only via a through- opening with check valve; clockwise or anticlockwise to exercise the tibialis anterior and calf muscles respectively.

Advantageously, the ergonomic and compact design of the present invention enables the user to choose variable knee joint angles to affect efficacy of muscle engagement. In particular, when the leg is bent between a straight leg position and 90 degrees, predominant recruitment of the soleus, which lies beneath the gastrocnemius, occurs. When the leg is close to being straight, predominant recruitment of the gastrocnemius occurs.

Therefore, in accordance to the present invention and in improvement of prior art, there is provided an apparatus whose purpose is to encourage progressive adaptation of the bundles of muscle fibres and myofascia along the muscle length by providing essential gradual overload using a hydraulic hub unilateral base encasing a viscous fluid.

The description given below presents details of embodiments, by way of examples only, described with reference to the accompanying drawings [based on left leg with outer hub shown working tibialis anterior] in which:

Fig. 1 is a left side view of preferred embodiment of device with a toe cap, leg in place and foot in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion (lightly shaded);

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the device and leg in neutral position;

Fig. 2b is a perspective view of components comprising present portable exercise device invention as shown in Fig. 2a; Fig. 3a is a perspective view of resistance device components;

Fig. 3b is a perspective internal view of hub in neutral position, with arrows showing direction of fluid flow;

Fig. 3c is a perspective internal view of view of hub when rotational pressure is applied, with arrows showing direction of fluid flow;

Fig. 3d is a side perspective internal view of hub with arrows showing rotation of resistance control dial;

Fig. 4 is a left side view of other embodiment incorporated into shoe design for maximal portability whilst on the move; Fig. 5 is a left side view of other embodiment for use as biceps and triceps exerciser with additional arch support;

Fig. 6a is an internal view of hub resistance mechanism variation in neutral state;

Fig. 6b is an internal view of hub resistance mechanism variation in tensile state;

Fig. 7a is an internal view of hub resistance mechanism variation in neutral state; Fig. 7b is an internal view of hub resistance mechanism variation in tensile state;

Fig. 8 is a partial side internal view of hub resistance mechanism variation with arrows showing fluid flow.

The portable exercise device 41 shown in Fig. 2a, comprises as shown in Fig. 1, a releasable first attachments means consisting of a shin engagable element which is a supporting strut 1 one on either side of the leg, merging at the lower end into a selectively variable resistance hub 2, housing an extended pivoting foot engagable element which is a foot bracket 6. The selectively variable resistance hub 2, is assembled at the bottom end of the supporting strut 1 which extends up towards knee height. A second attachment means strap 3 is held with pivoting clasps 4 that slide within a strut slot 5 running vertically from near the top of the supporting strut 1 to allow sufficient support strapping for different leg lengths. These clasps will possibly need a securing member much like a nut to keep the clasps 4 from escaping from the strut slot 5. The user will undo the straps 3, place foot into the foot bracket 6, into the toe cap 17, and then tighten said straps.

The invention as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a foot bracket 6 that fits on the bottom of the foot or shoe. On each side near the top of foot bracket 6 is a triangular clasp 4 that holds one end of a strap 3. In Fig. 2b the clips or clasps 4 consist of a pin inserted into the pivot hole 7 in the foot bracket 6 side wall and supporting struts 1. The clasp 4 pivots to allow each strap 3 to adjust sitting angle to accommodate various foot and shoe sizes. The straps 3 have protective padding 8 and can be configured in four locations; securing the device around the lower tibia, which connects using the same pivot as a rigid light weight material arch support 9, the upper leg, and around tarsals, and phlanges. The strap 3 can be made of a flexible yet non-stretchable, durable and light-weight material with protective padding 8, centrally attached, facing towards the foot. On the upper surface of the foot bracket 6 a section of anti-slip material 10 can be used to reduce slippage. The foot bracket 6 consists of a rotor control arm support 11 housing a solid rotor control arm 12 of construction strong enough to ensure repeated usage without warping or breaking, from the bottom of the foot bracket 6 extending through the top and inserting into the selectively variable resistance hub 2 through the hub slot 15 ending in a pivoting rotor socket base 13. The end of the rotor control arm 12, is extruded to a metallic circular disc with a hexagonal or other socket type shape hollowed centre in a two piece, weld type fashion or a single one-piece construction 13. The extruded socket disc base 13 is a flat disc that sits in a rotor arm sleeve 14 in the selectively variable resistance hub 2 allowing clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation. The selectively variable resistance hub 2 has a hub case slot section 15 in the lower third in which the rotor control arm 12 moves. The hub case slot section 15 constricts rotational angles of the rotor control arm 12 which connects with the rotor arm 16 to allow sufficient rotation to maximise exertion of fluid pressure.

In Fig. 1, the foot bracket 6 shows an embodiment of the invention with the use of a rectilinearly adjustable Toe cap 17.

In Fig. 2b, the selectively variable resistance hub 2 houses the hub base 18, which holds the rotor arm 16, which slots into the rotor socket base 13. The damper assembly is air and fluid tightened with a hub backing enclosure 19 and hub outer seal 20 which comprises an adjustable cover element which is a resistance control dial 21.

In Fig. 3b, the hydraulic hub base 18 consists of one chamber. The chamber is intersected by a rotor 16 that consists of a central collection chamber 25 and two arms

16. The rotor 16 will have four apertures 22 that allow fluid 23 to enter and escape into or out from the central collection chamber 25. The rotor arms 16 intersect the hub base

18 chamber to create a five chamber configuration. The two opposing chambers are separated by rotor arm 16 consisting of through-opening with check valve 26 that control the one-way direction of the fluid flow in order to sustain the pressure when the foot is flexed.

Fig. 3c shows that as the foot is flexed towards the ceiling, the rotor arm 16 inside the hub base 18 forces the fluid 23 into the central collection chamber 25. When the foot is returned to neutral, the through-opening with check valve 26 open to allow the fluid 23 to refill the chambers causing no added resistance if the resistance control dial 21 on the opposite side hub is set to low. If the resistance control dial 21 on the opposite side hub is set to high, there will be resistance on the way up and down as one hub refills the other is forcing the fluid through the arm apertures 22. The resistance control dial 21 placed on the outer seal 27 controls an embedded, threaded shaft 28 connected to a regulator 29 that when rotated clockwise slides towards the bottom of the central collection chamber 25 thereby decreasing the arm apertures 22 size amounting to more force necessary to push the fluid through. Conversely, when the resistance control dial 21 is turned anti-clockwise, the threaded shaft 28 rotates the regulator 29 sliding it upwards thereby increasing the arm apertures 22 amounting to less force necessary to push fluid through.

The fluid 23 must be of consistency sufficiently viscous to allow for effective resistance when forced through arm apertures 22. This is essential to satisfactorily affect the tibialis anterior 30 during dorsiflexion and the calves 31 during plantarflexion

The resistance control dial 21 can be of circular shape with grooves around edge to provide easy non-slip rotation. The assembly should be sealed air-tight. Fig. 4 Shows an embodiment in which there is reduced leg support strut 1; to decrease size and weight and could be incorporated into a shoe or trainer 32 type design for instance by building the device into current or new footwear to allow for use while walking outside. Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment, in which the present invention can be modified to be ergonomically contoured around the arm 33, utilising an expandable rigid support arch 34 and a rigid support arch hinge 35 with a locking system allowing the user to fit inside. The foot bracket 6 of the present invention is now adapted to be used as a forearm engagable element which is an arm support 36. Support strut 1 is now an upper arm engagable element.

Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b show an embodiment of the inner resistance method using helical torsion springs 37 that when placed in the hub case 2 provides resistance on rotating the rotor control arm 12.

Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b show an embodiment of the inner resistance method in which using clock power springs 38, the hub case 2 can be tension adjusted using a resistance control dial 21 that enlarges a circular system making the springs more tense therefore increasing effort necessary to rotate.

Fig. 8 shows a further alternative embodiment of the inner resistance method in which a shock-absorber type system consisting of conical screw adjuster 39 that forces fluid through apertures 40 running around the cone edge, therefore enabling the user to select suitable resistance.

Claims

1. A portable exercise device for releasable attachment about a movable joint of a user's body, the device comprising at least one selectively variable resistance hub for location on a pivot axis of the movable body joint, first attachment means extending from the hub for releasable connection to the body at a first side of the joint, and second attachment means extending from the hub for releasable connection to the body at a second side of the joint which is opposite the first side, the first attachment means being pivotably engaged with the hub, and the hub including a resistance device which is in the hub and which is engaged with part of the first attachment means, the resistance device comprising a fluid and a rotor, the in use rotor acting against the fluid as the first attachment means is pivoted.

2. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resistance hub includes a housing in which a part of the first attachment means is pivotably received.

3. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resistance hub includes a regulator for regulating a resistance imparted to the resistance device.

4. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resistance device further comprises at least three chambers in which the fluid can flow, and at least one rotor arm.

5. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 4, wherein five said chambers and two said rotor arms are provided.

6. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the regulator comprises at least one aperture in the rotor, and an adjustable cover element, the adjustable cover element being movable to selectively cover the aperture, thereby altering a flow rate of the fluid therethrough, and thus altering a resistance imparted to the rotor.

7. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor includes at least one through-opening, and a check-valve at the through-opening.

8. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resistance hub is a hydraulic device having a fluid therein which provides resistance to movement of the first attachment means.

9. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resistance hub provides resistance to movement of the first attachment means in only one angular direction.

10. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the resistance hub provides resistance to movement of the first attachment means in two opposite angular directions.

11. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first attachment means is adapted for connection to a more distal part of a user's limb, and the second attachment means is adapted for connection to a more proximal part of a user's limb.

12. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first attachment means includes at least one bracket and at least one re leasable strap for securely connecting the bracket to the first side of the joint, and the second attachment means includes at least one strut and at least one further releasable strap for securely connecting the strut to the second side of the joint.

13. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bracket is a foot engagable element, and the strut is a shin engagable element.

14. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 13, wherein two said struts are provided for location at opposite sides of a user's shin.

15. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the said at least one strut is elongate and rigid, and has a longitudinal extent which in use extends to or adjacent to a second movable joint of a user's body.

16. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first attachment means is included as part of a shoe.

17. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bracket is a forearm engagable element, and the strut is an upper arm engagable element.

18. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second attachment means is non-pivotably engaged with the resistance hub.

19. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein two said selectively variable resistance hubs are provided opposite each other.

20. A portable exercise device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the two in use resistance hubs impart resistance in opposite angular directions.

21. A portable exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said at least one resistance hub is circular.

22. A portable exercise device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figure 5, Figures 6a and 6b, Figures 7a and 7b, or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.