EXERCISING DEVICE FOR STIMULATING DEEP MUSCLES AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE EXERCISING DEVICE

Abstract

An exercising device for fitness training includes a main body forming a container, and a first end and a second end. The main body defines a length between the first end and the second end. The container has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a cross-section which varies between the first end and the second end such that the outer surface and the inner surface define a waveform. A first cover is detachably arranged on the first end and a second cover is detachably arranged on the second end. The container can be filled with a liquid which causes the exercising device to vibrate when it flows through the main body at varying speeds. In addition, a method for operating the exercising device is provided.

Claims

1. An exercising device for fitness training, the exercising device comprising: a main body forming a container, including a first end and a second end, and having a length defined between the first end and the second end; the container having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a cross-section which varies between the first end and the second end such that the outer surface and the inner surface define a waveform; a first cover detachably arranged on the first end; and a second cover detachably arranged on the second end.

2. The exercising device of claim 1, wherein: the cross-section varies between narrow cross-sections and wide cross-sections, the narrow cross-sections are present three times over the length of the main body, and the wide cross-sections are present four times over the length of the main body.

3. The exercising device of claim 2, wherein the main body, when viewed from a side, has a curved shape of a bow with concave portions formed between the wide cross-sections and convex portions formed between the narrow cross-sections.

4. The exercising device of claim 2, wherein the narrow cross-sections have a first diameter of 4 centimeters and the wide cross-sections have a second diameter of 7 centimeters.

5. The exercising device of claim 1, further comprising at least one threaded cap, and wherein: the main body has at least one opening at at least one of the first and the second end to permit a liquid to be filled in the container, the opening includes a thread, and the at least one threaded cap is configured to be threaded into the opening to tightly seal the container.

6. The exercising device of claim 5, further comprising at least one seal ring configured to be positioned between the at least one threaded cap and the main body.

7. The exercising device of claim 5, wherein a weight of the exercising device is adjusted by adjusting an amount of liquid filled in the container.

8. The exercising device of claim 5, wherein: the main body defines a first axis which extends through the first end and the second end, the substantially hollow cylindrical shape, with the cross-section that varies between the first end and the second end, causes the liquid to flow through the main body at varying speeds which cause a predetermined vibration of the exercising device when the exercising device is pivoted about a second axis, and the second axis is transverse to the first axis.

9. The exercising device of claim 8, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

10. The exercising device of claim 1, wherein: the main body defines a first through hole at a first distance from the first end and a second through hole at a second distance from the second end, the exercising device further comprises a stretchable rubber cord having a first cord end and a second cord end, the first cord end is inserted and locked in the first through hole, and the second cord end is inserted and locked in the second through hole.

11. The exercising device of claim 1, wherein: each of the first cover and the second cover are made of soft rubber, the main body includes cavities at the first and second end, the first and second covers have groves, and the first and second covers are mounted on the main body by placing the groves into the cavities in the main body.

12. The exercising device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the cavities is provided in the at least one threaded cap.

13. A method for operating the exercising device, the method comprising: providing the exercising device with a main body, the main body forming a container, the main body including a first end and a second end, and having a length defined between the first end and the second end, the container having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a cross-section which varies between the first end and the second end such that the outer surface and the inner surface define a waveform; detachably arranging a first cover on the first end and a second cover on the second end.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: configuring the exercising device such that the cross-section varies between narrow cross-sections and wide cross-sections, the narrow cross-sections being present three times over the length of the main body, and the wide cross-sections being present four times over the length of the main body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the main body, when viewed from a side, has a curved shape of a bow with concave portions formed between the wide cross-sections and convex portions formed between the narrow cross-sections.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the narrow cross-sections have a first diameter of 4 centimeters and the wide cross-sections have a second diameter of 7 centimeters.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: filling the container with a liquid; defining a first axis which extends through the first end and the second end of the main body, causing, by the substantially hollow cylindrical shape with the cross-section which varies between the first end and the second end, the liquid to flow through the main body at varying speeds thereby causing a predetermined vibration of the exercising device when the exercising device is pivoted about a second axis, and the second axis being transverse to the first axis.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising: defining, by the main body, a first through hole at a first distance from the first end and a second through hole at a second distance from the second end, providing the exercising device with a stretchable rubber cord having a first cord end and a second cord end; inserting and locking the first cord end in the first through hole, and inserting and locking the second cord end in the second through hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the exercising device according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows another a side view of the exercising device having a curved shape of a bow,

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the main body of the exercising device shown in FIG. 1 with an axis of rotation,

[0030] FIG. 4A shows a side view of the exercising device with a stretchable rubber cord in an unstretched state according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure,

[0031] FIG. 4B shows a side view of the exercising device with a stretchable rubber cord in a stretched state,

[0032] FIG. 4C shows another side view of the exercising device with a stretchable rubber cord in a stretched state held by a person who exercises,

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a cover,

[0034] FIG. 6A shows a side view of the exercising device with cross-sections in a concave portion of the main body,

[0035] FIG. 6B shows a side view of the exercising device with cross-sections in a convex portion of the main body,

[0036] FIGS. 7A to 7E show cross-sections of the concave portion of the main body,

[0037] FIGS. 8A to 8E show cross-sections of the convex portion of the main body,

[0038] FIG. 9 shows rear, front, top, bottom, and side views of the exercising device according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, and

[0039] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of method for operating the exercising device.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be explained below with reference to the accompanying schematic figures. Features that coincide in their nature and/or function may in this case be provided with the same designations throughout the figures.

[0041] The terms “exhibit”, “have”, “comprise” or “include” or any grammatical deviations therefrom are used in a non-exclusive way. Accordingly, these terms can refer either to situations in which, besides the feature introduced by these terms, no further features are present, or to situations in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expression “A exhibits B”, “A has B”, “A comprises B” or “A includes B” may refer both to the situation in which no further element aside from B is provided in A (that is to say to a situation in which A is composed exclusively of B) and to the situation in which, in addition to B, one or more further elements are provided in A, for example element C, elements C and D, or even further elements.

[0042] Furthermore, the terms “at least one” and “one or more” and grammatical modifications of these terms or similar terms, if they are used in association with one or more elements or features and are intended to express the fact that the element or feature can be provided singly or multiply, in general are used only once, for example when the feature or element is introduced for the first time. When the feature or element is subsequently mentioned again, the corresponding term “at least one” or “one or more” is generally no longer used, without restriction of the possibility that the feature or element can be provided singly or multiply.

[0043] Also, the terms “preferably”, “in particular”, “by way of example” or similar terms are used in conjunction with optional features, without alternative embodiments thereby being restricted. In this regard, features introduced by these terms are optional features, and there is no intention to restrict the scope of protection of the claims, and in particular of the independent claims, by these features. In this regard, the disclosure, as will be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art, can also be carried out using other configurations. Similarly, features introduced by “in one embodiment of the disclosure” or “in one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure” are to be understood to be optional features, without this being intended to restrict alternative refinements or the scope of protection of the independent claims. Furthermore, all possibilities of combining the features introduced by these introductory expressions with other features, whether optional or non-optional features, are intended to remain unaffected by said introductory expressions.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view and FIG. 2 shows a side view of an exercising device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The exercising device 1 includes a main body 100. The main body 100 forms a container and has a first end 105, a second end 110, and a length defined between the first end 105 and the second end 110. The container has an outer surface, an inner surface (not shown), and a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a cross-section that varies between the first end 105 and the second end 110 such that the outer surface and the inner surface define a waveform. In addition, the main body 100 of the exercising device 1 defines a first axis 165 which extends through the first end 105 and the second end 110.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the cross-section of the substantially hollow cylindrical shape varies between portions of the main body with narrow cross-sections 125 and portions of the main body with wide cross-sections 130. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the narrow cross-sections 125 are present three times over the length of the main body 100, and the wide cross-sections 130 are present four times over the length of the main body 100.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows another a side view of the exercising device 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2, when viewed from a side, the main body 100 of the exercising device 1 has a curved shape of a bow 135 with concave portions 140 formed between the wide cross-sections 130 and convex portions 145 formed between the narrow cross-sections 125.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the narrow cross-sections 125 have a first diameter of 4 centimeters and the wide cross-sections 130 have a second diameter of 7 centimeters. However, the disclosure is not limited to these diameters and other diameters are possible. These diameters of the cross sections are carefully selected to obtain predefined vibrations of the main body when the exercising device 1 is rotated as described in further detail below.

[0048] Returning back to FIG. 1, which further shows a threaded cap 150. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 100 has an opening 155 at the second end 110 to permit a liquid to be filled in the container. It is also possible to provide the opening at the first end 105 (not shown) or to provide two openings, one opening at the first end 105 and another opening on the second end 110.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the diameter of the opening is 2.5 centimeters and the diameter of the threaded cap 150 is 3.8 centimeters.

[0050] The opening 155 includes a thread. The threaded cap 150 is configured to be threaded into the opening 155 by a tool 195 to tightly seal the container. To properly seal the container, seal ring 160 may be positioned between the threaded cap 150 and the main body 100.

[0051] Not every person who exercises has the same load capacity. Therefore, it is an important aspect of the disclosure to permit characteristics of the exercising device 1 to be adjusted in accordance with the capabilities of the person who exercises. Accordingly, an amount of liquid in the main body 100 of the exercising device 1 can easily be added or removed at any time to adjust the weight of the exercising device 1 to the person's capabilities. The amount of liquid in the main body does also have an impact on the vibrations and ultimately on the stimulation of the deep muscles and fasciae. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of liquid, the vibrations, and thereby the effect on the stimulation of the deep muscles and fasciae are also adjusted.

[0052] Typically, the liquid is water, but it is not limited thereto. Other liquids with specific weights different from water can also be used. It is intended that the exercising device 1 appeals to as many senses of the person who exercises as possible. These senses include, but are not limited to, seeing, feeling, and hearing. This is crucial to distract from the athletic stress. Therefore, the material and the structure of the exercising device 1 are selected such that the person who exercises can hear the liquid flowing through the main body 100 while feeling the vibration. For this purpose, the main body 100 of the exercising device 1 is made of an at least partially transparent material which permits the liquid to be observed when it flows through the main body 100. According to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the material can also be non-transparent. The material further permits the sound created by the flow of the liquid to be observed by the person who exercises.

[0053] The specific configuration and structure of the exercising device 1 permits the exercising device 1 to be utilized during a fitness training as spear, as paddle, or as bow and arrow. The vibrations cause by the flowing liquid and the weight of the amount of liquid in the main body of the exercising device provides the load in the deep muscles and in the fasciae.

[0054] According to an aspect of the disclosure, the material of the main body 100 of the exercising device 1 has a green transparent color and is made of plastic from a renewable raw material which can be 100% recycled or at least 95% recycled.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, the exercising device 1 further includes a first cover 115 which can be detachably arranged on the first end 105 of the main body and a second cover 120 which can be detachably arranged on the second end 110 of the main body. Each of the first and second covers 115, 120 can be made of a soft rubber material. When the exercising device 1 is operated during a fitness training, for example, it is typically held on the end caps by the person who exercises. The rubber material ensures a sufficient grip. In addition, the first and/or second cover protects the threaded cap 150 from any impact.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, when the exercising device is pivoted about at least a second axis 170 of rotation which is transverse to the first axis 165, the substantially hollow cylindrical shape, with the cross-section that varies between the first end 105 and the second end 110, causes the liquid to flow through the main body 100 at varying speeds which cause a predetermined vibration of the exercising device 1.

[0057] Depending on a choreography of the fitness training, the second axis 170 can be at least temporarily perpendicular to the first axis 165 and can frequently vary. Thereby, the vibrations frequently vary and thereby, the deep muscles that are stimulated, vary.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, main body 100 of the exercising device 1 defines a first through hole 173 at a first distance from the first end 105 and a second through hole 175 at a second distance from the second end 110.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A to 4C, the exercising device 1 may further include a stretchable rubber cord 180 with a first cord end 183 and a second cord end 185. The first cord end 183 is inserted and locked in the first through hole 173 with a closure part 198 which is attached to the first cord end 183. The second cord end 185 is inserted and locked with a second closure part 192 in the second through hole 175 with another closure part 192 attached to the second cord end 185. The diameter of each of the through holes 173, 175 for receiving the stretchable rubber cord 180 is 2.00 centimeters on one side and 1.40 centimeters on the opposite side.

[0060] According to an aspect of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the main body 100 includes cavity 190 at the first end 110 and a cavity 193 in the threaded cap 150. As shown in FIG. 5, the first and second end covers 115, 120 include groves 113. The first and second covers 115, 120 are mounted on the main body 100 by placing the groves 113 into the cavities 190, 193 on the main body 100 and in the threaded cap 150, respectively.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B in conjunction with FIGS. 7A to 7E and FIGS. 8A to 8E. FIG. 6A shows a side view of the exercising device in which cross-sections P, N, M, L, and K in a concave portion of the main body are indicated. These cross-sections are shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E in which FIG. 8A shows cross-section P, FIG. 8B shows cross-section N, FIG. 8C shows cross-section M, FIG. 8D shows cross-section L, and FIG. 8E shows cross section K.

[0062] FIG. 6B shows a side view of the exercising device in which cross-sections F, E, D, C, and B in a convex portion of the main body are indicated. These cross-sections are shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E in which FIG. 7A shows cross-section F, FIG. 7B shows cross-section E, FIG. 7C shows cross-section D, FIG. 7D shows cross-section C, and FIG. 7E shows cross section B.

[0063] In addition, FIGS. 7A to 7E and 8A to 8E show the location of first axis 165 relative to the center of each cross section. As can be seen in FIGS. 7A to 7E and 8A to 8E, not only does the diameter of the cross-section vary over the length of the main body 100, the center of the cross-section also varies over the length of the main body relative to the first axis 165.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows various views of the main body 100 including a front view 905, a rear view 910, a right sight view 915, a left side view 920, a top view 925, and a bottom view 930.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 10 (with continued reference to FIG. 1), a flow chart is described of method 200 for operating the exercising device 1. The method 200 starts at step 205. At step 205, the exercising device 1 with a main body 100 is provided. The main body 100 forms a container, includes a first end 105 and a second end 110, and defines a length between the first end 105 and the second end 110. The container has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a cross-section that varies between the first end 105 and the second end 110 such that the outer surface and the inner surface define a waveform.

[0066] A first cover 115 on the first end 105 and a second cover 120 on the second end 110 are detachably arranged on the main body 100.

[0067] The method 200 continues to step 210 at which the exercising device 1 is configured such that the diameter of the cross-section between narrow cross-sections 125 and wide cross-sections 130 varies, wherein the narrow cross-sections 125 are present three times over the length of the main body 100, and the wide cross-sections 130 are present four times over the length of the main body 100.

[0068] At step 215 of the method 200, the container formed by the main body 100 is filled with a predetermined amount of liquid, and step 220, a first axis 165 is defined which extends through the first end 105 and the second end 110 of the main body 100, and the liquid is caused, by the substantially hollow cylindrical shape with the cross-section that varies between the first end 105 and the second end 110, to flow through the main body 100 at varying speeds thereby causing a predetermined vibration of the exercising device when the exercising device is pivoted about a second axis 170, and the second axis 170 being transverse to the first axis 165. According to the method 200, the second axis 170 can also be perpendicular to the first axis 165. In other words, in step 220, varying predetermined vibrations of the exercising device are caused by the liquid flowing at varying speeds through the exercising device thereby stimulating certain deep muscles of the person who exercises with the exercising device.

[0069] According to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the method 200 further includes defining, by the main body 100, a first through hole 173 at a first distance from the first end 105 and a second through hole 175 at a second distance from the second end 110, providing the exercising device with a stretchable rubber cord 180 having a first cord end 183 and a second cord end 185, inserting and locking the first cord end 183 in the first through hole 173, and inserting and locking the second cord end 185 in the second through hole 175. This allows combining a stretching movement, performed by the person who exercises, with the vibrations generated by the liquid flowing through the main body 100 of the exercising device 1 at varying speeds. By combining the stretching movement with the vibrations, different deep muscles can be stimulated at the same time.

[0070] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0071] 1 exercising device [0072] 100 main body [0073] 105 first end of main body [0074] 110 second end of main body [0075] 115 first cover [0076] 120 second cover [0077] 125 narrow cross-section [0078] 130 wide cross-section [0079] 135 curved shape of a bow [0080] 140 concave portions [0081] 145 convex portions [0082] 150 threaded cap [0083] 155 opening [0084] 160 seal ring [0085] 165 first axis [0086] 170 second axis [0087] 173 first through hole [0088] 175 second through hole [0089] 180 stretchable rubber cord [0090] 183 first cord end [0091] 185 second cord end [0092] 190 cavity [0093] 193 cavity [0094] 195 tool [0095] 198 closure part