METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENSION AND STRETCHING OF THE SPINE CALLED “A POLE” SIMULATOR

Abstract

The method and apparatus for stretching, i.e., the so-called A POLE simulator, consists of one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, which apertures serve for inserting upper cylindrical handles perpendicular to the planks, onto which cylindrical handles a patient holds onto with both of her/his hands, while pressing his/her forehead against the plank(s), thus stretching his/her spine, with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position, and where by increasing the forward incline of the torso progressively in 5-10 degree increments and holding a fixed position at 10-15 second intervals until a maximum stretching distance forward is reached, after which the user returns in the initial position by moving the torso backwards in 5-10 degree increments (hereinafter the simulator) is intended for decompression of the spinal column, which effectively relieves stress, stretches and weakens the muscles of the back, muscles of the abdomen and chest. The simulator is a curved rod made of solid material In the upper part of the rod there are a number of holes, they serve to insert the upper crossbar perpendicular to the rod. The user, depending on his height, sets the crossbar to the required height and grabs the crossbar with both hands. In the lower part of the rod there is a hole for inserting the lower crossbar, on which shock absorbers are installed on both sides, which provide comfort to the user. The lower bar is placed under the stomach to the user's pelvic bone in a sitting position. By increasing the dosed tilt and holding the user's body forward for several seconds, the spinal column is decompressed, tension is relieved, back muscles, abdominal and chest muscles are stretched and relaxed. The device uses harnesses for people with disabilities to secure the arms of a disable person through armpits to the upper bar thus ensuring that the person is able to do the exercises. The angle of the tilt is determined by a tilt angle indicator bubble level located on rod or plank. The device is also designed to be portable and foldable in half in the middle of the plan or rod by using a hinge and a latch.

Claims

1. A device comprising a simulator designed for stretching the human body, including the human spine, which simulator, consists of one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, which apertures serve for inserting upper cylindrical handles perpendicular to the planks, onto which cylindrical handles a patient holds onto with both of her/his hands, while pressing his/her forehead against the plank(s), thus stretching his/her spine, with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position, and where by increasing the forward incline of the torso progressively in 5-10 degree increments and holding a fixed position at 10-15 second intervals until a maximum stretching distance forward is reached, after which the user returns in the initial position by moving the torso backwards in 5-10 degree increments and holding a fixed position at 10-15 second intervals.

2. The device according to claim 1 can further comprise one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, where the planks can be split into two or more shorter parts by way of attaching each part to the other through hinges, in order to ensure an increased portability of the apparatus.

3. The device according to claim 1 can further comprise handles which can be of shapes other than cylindrical, such as, shaped in a concave manner in order to ensure better finger grip.

4. The device according to claim 1 can further comprise one or two or more curved planks where the curvature of such planks may vary, and the planks may be of varying shapes, in order to fit various body shapes of intended users.

5. The device according to claim 1 with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position, where the rollers can be made of different materials of different density, and which rollers can be of different length or circumference, in order to ensure the comfort of the users.

6. The device according to claim 1 where the degrees of the incline may be more or less than 5-10 degrees, and the time of holding in a specific position when stretching can be more or less than 10-15 seconds, depending on the comfort and the ability of the user.

7. A device for people with disabilities who for some reason are not able to grab the upper bar of the simulator, another modification of the simulator (the M-simulator) is provided. The M-simulator is equipped with two straps that hook onto the user's armpits, and the other end is attached to the upper crossbar of the M-simulator.

8. The device according to claim 7 containing two straps and the modified upper crossbar, on which recesses are added to fix the straps on the crossbar. Recesses are necessary for securely securing the straps on the upper rung.

9. A device designed for people who travel, with the folding rod of the simulator is foldable in the middle by use of a hinge, thus making the exercise machine compact, portable and convenient for transportation.

10. The device according to claim 9 which is a folding rod consisting of two arcs. The arcs are interconnected on the one hand through a strap hinge, and on the other hand, through a latch, for reliability, stability and safety of the invention.

11. The device according to claim 9, when assembled, two arcs form a rod which is the base. The use of the simulator remains the same, as previously described in previous claims. The mechanism of use and impact of the folding simulator is no different from the main simulator discussed above in prior claims.

12. A device acting as a tilt angle indicator bubble which is used to measure, determine and indicate the angle of the tilt of the rod or plank, and which is located and protruding on a side of the rod or plank thus enabling the user to determine the tilt angle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The exemplary embodiment maybe further understood with reference to the following description. The exemplary embodiment describes a so called A POLE spine stretching simulator, which consists of one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, which apertures serve for inserting upper cylindrical handles perpendicular to the planks, onto which cylindrical handles a patient holds onto with both of her/his hands, while pressing his/her forehead against the plank(s), thus stretching his/her spine, with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position.

[0016] A user, in a sitting position, places the lower rollers attached to the round aperture on the bottom of the curved planks into the crevasse between the bottom of the stomach and the upper thigh.

[0017] User, sitting in the middle of a chair or another surface that may be used for sitting, where user's legs are bent at the hip and knee joints at an angle of 90, with the back straight. Feet are at the shoulder width, parallel to each other, fully touching the floor.

[0018] The simulator' rollers are placed in the fold under the abdomen at the beginning of the thigh, on the ilium, at an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical plane. It is important not to rest the simulator on the thigh bone, but instead to stick it into the crevasse between the stomach's lower part and the upper thigh, i.e., where the stomach meets the thigh when the user is in a sitting position.

[0019] The user fixes the upper handle at a height convenient for the user, with the elbow joints being slightly bent.

[0020] User raises hands up, grabs the upper handle with the hands, with elbow joints slightly bent. The head or the forehead may be rested on the simulator's planks.

[0021] An exercise partner (such as an assistant, doctor, trainer) stands opposite the user and holds the top of the simulator, giving the user the opportunity to relax the upper body, without interfering with user's further exercise.

[0022] User starts slowly to move forward. On exhale, user slowly leans forward by 5-10 degrees, fixes the body in such position for 10-15 seconds, relaxes the head, the muscles of the back, the arms, and the abdomen.

[0023] An exercise partner (such as assistant, doctor, trainer) slowly accompanies the user forward following user's bending forward, and slightly holding the simulator to fix user's torso for 10-15 seconds, without interfering with the exercise, for comfortable relaxation of user's muscles. Subsequent forward inclinations are performed slowly on exhale to the maximum allowable comfortable incline to the user.

[0024] An exercise partner (such as assistant, doctor, trainer) slowly accompanies user's subsequent forward inclinations slightly holding the device, following the user and not interfering with the exercise. With any discomfort, the user may slowly return to the starting position.

[0025] Returning to the starting position is carried out slowly in the opposite direction without changing the position of the head, arms, trunk, legs. On exhalation, user slowly moves backwards by 5-10 degrees, fixes the body in such position for 10-15 seconds, and so on until the body returns to its original position.

[0026] An exercise partner (such as assistant, doctor, trainer) slowly accompanies user's backward movement, holding the exercise machine slightly followed by user to the starting position, slightly holding the exercise machine to fix the torso for 10-15 seconds, without interfering with the exercise, for comfortable, relaxing user's muscles.

[0027] In the initial position of the hands slowly lower down. The partner (assistant, doctor, trainer) holds the simulator, giving user the opportunity to lower user's hands down to rest for 1-1.5 minutes. User may repeat the exercise assuming the starting position and all subsequent instructions 2-3 times.

[0028] If the exercise is easy and user's physical fitness allows user to perform the relaxation exercise without discomfort, the user can take the subsequent initial position by fixing the handle one or two links higher at a height convenient for the user.

[0029] The principle of performing the exercise with an accompanying partner (doctor, trainer, assistant) or without him or her, does not change. If the exercise is performed confidently and easily and your physical fitness allows user to perform the relaxation exercise without discomfort, over time the user can do the exercise by oneself without assistance.

[0030] This invention is also designed for people with disabilities who are unable to grab the upper bar of the simulator, another modification of the simulator (M-simulator). The M-simulator is equipped with two straps or harnesses that hook onto the user's armpits, and the other end is attached to the upper crossbar of the M-simulator. The M-simulator differs from the previous one in two parts: the presence of two straps and the modified upper crossbar on which recesses are added to fix the straps on the crossbar. The mechanism of use and impact of the M-simulator does not differ from the above described main simulator. The crossbar of the simulator with recesses is for people with disabilities. Recesses are necessary for securely securing the straps on the upper rung.

[0031] The next embodiment of this device is for people who travel, it comprises the folding rod of the simulator. The exercise machine is compact, portable and convenient for transportation. Folding rod consists of two arcs. The arcs are interconnected on the one hand a strap hinge, on the other hand, a latch, for reliability and safety of the invention. When assembled, two arcs form a rod, which is the base. The use of the simulator remains the same, as previously described by us of the main device. The mechanism of use and impact of the folding simulator is no different from the main simulator discussed above.

[0032] The muscles involved in the methodology for performing exercises on the simulator A POLE:

Muscles of the Back (superficial+intermediate+Deep layers of intrinsic back muscles):

Levatores Costarum

[0033] Cervical interspinales
Cervical intertransversarii
Lumbar interspinales
Lumbar intertransversarii
Rotatores brevis
Rotatores longus

Multifidus

[0034] Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis cervicis
Semispinalis thoracis

Interspinales

[0035] intertransversarii

Spinalis

[0036] Spinalis capitis
Spinalis thoracis
Spinalis cervics

Longissimus

[0037] Longissimus thoracis
Longissimus cervicis
Longissimus capitis

Iliocostalis

[0038] Iliocostalis lumborum
Iliocostalis thoracis
Iliocostalis cervicis
Suboccipital and deep neck muscles
Obliquus capitis inferior
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Rectus capitis anterior
Rectus capitis lateralis
Obliquus capitis superior
Splenius cervicis
Splenius capitis

Sternocleidomastoid

Scalene

[0039] Longus colli
Longus capitis
Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles
Splenius capitis
Longissimus capitis
Muscles of Posterior Back (superficial)
TrapeziusDescending (superior), Ascending (inferior) and Middle (or all parts together)

Latissimus Dorsi

[0040] Muscles of Posterior Back (deep)

Levator Scapulae

RhomboidMajor and Minor

[0041] Scapulohumeral (intrinsic shoulder) muscles
Deltoidclavicular (anterior), Acromial (middle) and spinal (posterior)

Supraspinatus

Infraspinatus

[0042] Teres minor and Major

Subscapularis

Muscles Of Arm

[0043] Biceps Brachiishort and long heads

Brachialis

Coracobrachialis

[0044] Triceps Brachiilong, lateral and medial heads

Anconeus

[0045] Muscles of Anterior Compartment of Forearm (superficial)
Pronator teres
Flexor carpi radialis

Palmaris Longus

[0046] Flexor Carpi ulnarishumeral and ulnar head
Muscles of Anterior Compartment of Forearm (intermediate)
Flexor digitorum superficialishumero ulnar and radial heads
Muscles of Anterior Compartment of Forearm (deep)

Flexor Digitorum Profundus

[0047] Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus
Muscles of Posterior Compartment of Forearm (superficial)

Brachioradialis

[0048] Extensor carpi radialis longus
Extensor carpi radialis brevis
Extensor digitorum
Extensor digiti minimi
Extensor carpi ulnaris
Muscles of Posterior Compartment of Forearm (deep)

Supinator

[0049] Abductor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis brevis
Extensor indicis
Intrinsic muscles of Hand
Opponens pollicis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor pollicis brevissuperficial and deep head
Adductor pollicisoblique and transverse head
Abductor digiti minimi
Flexor digiti minimi
Opponens digiti minimi

Lumbricals 1-4

[0050] Dorsal interossei, 1-4
Palmar interossei, 1-3

Anterior Chest Muscles

[0051] Pectoralis MajorClavicular and Sternocostal head

Pectoralis Minor

Subclavius

Serratus Anterior

Neck Muscles

Platysma

[0052] Sternocleidomastoidsternal and clavicular heads

Mylohyoid

Geniohyoid

Stylohyoid

Digastric

Sternohyoid

Omohyoid

Sternothyroid

Thyrohyoid

[0053] Longus colli
Longus capitis
Rectus capitis anterior
Anterior scalene
Rectus capitis lateralis
Splenius capitis
Levator scapulae
Middle scalene
Posterior scalene

Cricothyroid

Thyro-arytenoid

[0054] Posterior crico-arytenoid
Lateral crico-arytenoid
Transverse and oblique arytenoids

Vocalis

[0055] Superior pharyngeal constrictor
Middle pharyngeal constrictor
Inferior pharyngeal constrictor

Palatopharyngeus

Salpingopharyngeus

Stylopharyngeus

Muscles of Thoracic Wall

External Intercostal

Internal Intercostal

Innermost Intercostal

[0056] Transversus thoracis

Subcostal

[0057] Levatores costarum
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior

Muscles of the Abdomen

External Oblique

[0058] Internal oblique
Transverse abdominis
Rectus abdominis

Diaphragm

Muscles of Posterior Abdominal Wall

Psoas Major

Iliacus

Quadratus Lumborum

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0059] FIG. 1 is a General view of the proposed device simulator. The basis of the simulator is the rod or pole or plank 1 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Crossbeam or crossbar cylinders or bars 2 and 5 are shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3. Shock absorbers such as foam rollers 3, or rollers made of any soft material, are shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, mounted on the lower crossbar on both sides. Tilt angle indicator bubble level 4 located on rod or plank 1 is shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. In the upper part of the rod or plank 1 in FIG. 1 there is a series of holes where the crossbeam or crossbar 2 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is inserted, depending on the height of the person.

[0060] The figures FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 schematically show the use of the simulator. FIG. 7 is a representation scheme for lengthening the muscles of the back of the user when using the simulator by dosed tilt and holds the body.

[0061] FIG. 4 preparation for the initial position, installation of the user simulator sitting in the middle of the chair, body facing up, legs shoulder width apart at an angle of 90 degrees, the simulator 1 with a bar 2 at the top, a bar 5 at the bottom, and shock absorbers 3 on the lower bar 5, is installed into a corner organized by the user's stomach and hips. With outstretched arms, the bar 2 is gripped. The upper bar 2 is inserted into one of the holes in the upper part of the rod, depending on the user's height.

[0062] In this position, a force triangle is formed with vertices at points A, B and C, where:

[0063] A is the center of the ball head of the human hip joint,

[0064] B is the center of the crossbar 2 of the simulator, captured by the hands of a person,

[0065] C is the center of the crossbar 5 with shock absorbers 3, which, through the soft tissues of the body in the abdomen and thigh muscles, abuts against the pelvic and femoral bones of a person. The crossbars 2 and 5 can also freely rotate relative to the rod 1.

[0066] Thus, a triangle is formedABC. The sides of this triangle are formed by:

[0067] ABthe spine and outstretched arm,

[0068] BCthe core of the simulator,

[0069] CAthe side is formed by the muscles of the hips, abdomen, femur and pelvic bones of a person. The femur and pelvic bones of a person are connected to each other by a ball joint. Thus, all three sides of the triangle ABC are connected to each other by articulated joints. This allows the triangle to change if one or more sides of the triangle change their size (length).

[0070] Consider the same scheme in the case when a person with a simulator leaned forward a certain angle without releasing the simulatorFIG. 5.

[0071] In this case, another triangle formedADC, in which the hinges A and C remained in their places, and due to the inclination of the rod, the third vertex of the triangle moved to point D.

[0072] Due to its high rigidity, the length of the simulator rod did not change; the side BC and CD in both triangles studied did not change and are equal to each other.

[0073] For ease of analysis, these triangles FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 are compatible. Since the location and distance of the hip joint and the place where the crossbar rests have not changed, the AC sides of the triangles ABC, ADC, AEC are equal to each other. This allows you to combine these triangles, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0074] From FIG. 7 it can be seen that the angle between the same segments of AC and CB in the triangle ABC is , in the triangle ADC the angle between AC and CD is , in the triangle AEC the angle between AC and CE is Y. From this we conclude that the segment AD is greater than segment AB and segment AE is greater than segment AD. The geometric solution to this problem shows that the length of the segment AD is greater than the length of the segment AB by L, the length of the segment AE is greater than the length of the segment AD by L2. The AB side is organized by the arm and the spinal column and pelvis and this elongation occurs due to deformation of the intervertebral discs and muscles adjacent to the vertebrae, since the stiffness of the bones (arms, pelvis and vertebrae) is much higher than the stiffness of the intervertebral discs of the spinal column. In this state, when the body is tilted forward, a tensile force appears, applied by the upper bar to the hands and the lower bar to the pelvis and hips. The magnitude of the force is proportional to the angle of inclination of the body. The greater the inclination of the body, the greater the strength. Under the influence of this force, decompression of the spinal column occurs, tension is relieved, back muscles and muscles of the abdomen and chest are stretched and relaxed. Thus, the simulator allows, depending on the angle of inclination of the user, by increasing the measured inclination and keeping the user's body forward by 10-15 seconds (the greater the angle of inclination of the body, the greater the lengthening of the spinal column), it is possible to stretch and relax the back muscles and muscles abdomen and chest, explanation FIG. 7.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a side view of a rod drawing with dimensions.

[0076] FIG. 9 drawing of the rod is shown front view of the rod with dimensions.

[0077] FIG. 10 drawing of the crossbar 2, the crossbar 5 of the simulator.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows a drawing of the shock absorber of the simulator. Shock absorber foam rollers soften pressure on the ileum.

[0079] FIG. 12 drawing of the angle indicator and the inclination of the device.

[0080] The indicator indicates to the user an approximate starting position for performing stretching of the muscles of the back and decompression of the spinal column. The basis of the improving therapeutic and preventive effect of the simulator is the principle of the implementation of manual therapy: relaxation, mobilization and stabilization.

[0081] Another embodiment of this invention is for people with disabilities who for some reason are not able to grab the upper bar of the simulator, another modification of the simulator (M-simulator) FIG. 13 is provided. The M-simulator is equipped with two straps or harnesses 6 that hook onto the user's armpits, and the other end is attached to the upper crossbar of the M-simulator.

[0082] FIG. 14 shows an M-simulator mounted on a person.

[0083] The use of the M-simulator is shown in FIG. 15 FIG. 16. The M-simulator differs from the previous one in two parts: the presence of two straps 6 in FIG. 13 and the modified upper crossbar 2 in FIG. 13, on which recesses are added to fix the straps on the crossbar.

[0084] The mechanism of use and impact of the M-simulator is shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17; it does not differ from the above described main simulator FIG. 1

[0085] FIG. 18 drawing of the crossbar of the simulator with recesses, for people with disabilities. Recesses are necessary for securely securing the straps on the upper rung.

[0086] FIG. 19 cage with dimensions, which is the holder of the body of a user with disabilities.

[0087] The next embodiment of this device is for people who travel, the folding rod of the simulator is designed FIG. 20 FIG. 21, FIG. 22. The exercise machine is compact, portable and convenient for transportation.

[0088] Folding rod consists of two arcs. The arcs are interconnected on the one hand some strap hinge 7 FIG. 20, on the other hand, a latch 8 FIG. 22, for reliability and safety of the invention. When assembled, two arcs form a rod which is the base. A schematic image of the proposed product device in FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22. The use of the simulator remains the same, as previously described by us of the main device FIG. 1.

[0089] The mechanism of use and impact of the folding simulator is no different from the main simulator discussed above FIG. 1.

[0090] FIG. 23 is a side view of the top of the folding bar arc

[0091] FIG. 24 is a front view of the top of the folding bar

[0092] FIG. 25 is a side view of the bottom of the folding bar

[0093] FIG. 26 is a front view of the bottom of the folding bar

[0094] FIG. 27 drawing collapsible rod assembled side view with dimensions

[0095] FIG. 28 drawing of a folding rod in front view in assembled form with dimensions

[0096] FIG. 29 drawing strap hinge 7B strap for folding rod.

[0097] FIG. 30 drawing of a latch post safety hasp 8C for a folding rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG. 1 is a general view of the proposed system of the invention (simulator).

[0099] FIG. 2 is a side view of the proposed device (simulator).

[0100] FIG. 3 is a front view of the proposed device (simulator).

[0101] FIG. 4 is a view of an installation of the simulator in the initial position of the user.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a view showing an application of the invention, the initial position of the user.

[0103] FIG. 6 is a view showing an application of the invention, tilt user.

[0104] FIG. 7 is a view of a diagram showing the mechanism of occurrence of the force of the tensile spinal column.

[0105] FIG. 8 is a view of the rod side view with dimensions.

[0106] FIG. 9 is a view of the rod front view with dimensions.

[0107] FIG. 10 is a view of a simulator crossbeam drawing.

[0108] FIG. 11 is a view of a simulator shock absorber drawing.

[0109] FIG. 12 is a view of an angle indicator of a bubble level.

[0110] FIG. 13 is a general view of the simulator for people with disabilities.

[0111] FIG. 14 installation diagram of a simulator for people with disabilities.

[0112] FIG. 15 applications of the simulator for people with disabilities, the initial position of the user.

[0113] FIG. 16 application of the invention for people with disabilities, user tilt.

[0114] FIG. 17 diagram showing the mechanism of the occurrence of a tensile spine force simulator for people with disabilities.

[0115] FIG. 18 drawing of the crossbar of a simulator for people with disabilities.

[0116] FIG. 19 drawing of the strap.

[0117] FIG. 20 is an assembled view on one side of a folding device with strap hinge.

[0118] FIG. 21 is an assembled front view of a folding device.

[0119] FIG. 22 is a view from the other side of the collapsible folding device with the lock.

[0120] FIG. 23 is a side view of the top of a collapsible bar.

[0121] FIG. 24 is a front view of a folding bar top.

[0122] FIG. 25 is a side view of the bottom of the collapsible bar.

[0123] FIG. 26 is a front bottom view of a collapsible bar.

[0124] FIG. 27 drawing of a collapsible bar assembled side view with dimensions.

[0125] FIG. 28 drawing of a collapsible rod assembled front view with dimensions.

[0126] FIG. 29 drawing hinge strap for folding rod.

[0127] FIG. 30 drawing of a latch for a folding rod.

[0128] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms first, second, and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms like front, back, top and bottom, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.