Thoracic stabilizer

Abstract

The invention provides an exercise device for strengthening muscles in the scapula-thoracic region. The device enables simulated weight-bearing action for the upper limb while maintaining good postural form. The device can also be used to provide feedback on good postural form. The exercise device comprises a spine contact member (26) to be positioned at the thoracic curve of a person (10), and two rigid planar members (28) which extend laterally from the spine contact member (26). The rigid planar members (28) are positioned over the scapulae of the person (10). The spine contact member (26) and associated rigid planar members (28) are held in position by straps (30) which pass over and under the shoulders of the person (10).

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising: (i) sensory means comprising a spine contact member and two rigid planar members extending laterally from the spine contact member; and (ii) an adjustable strap system for securing the sensory means to a wearer of said exercise device, wherein said adjustable strap system comprises at least one flexible, extensible strap; wherein the spine contact member is convexly shaped, thereby having an apex, and protrudes from a plane defined by the two rigid planar members, such that in use, the apex of the spine contact member is positioned on an apex of a thoracic curve of the wearer and presses onto the thoracic curve, thereby providing tactile feedback, and each of the rigid planar members is positioned over a scapula of the wearer.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible extensible, strap is an elastic resistant band.

3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the at least one flexible extensible, strap comprises two flexible, extensible straps, wherein said two flexible, extensible straps are elastic resistant bands.

4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable strap system comprises gripping means adapted to be gripped by hands of the wearer during exercises.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the gripping means are integrally formed with each of the two elastic resistant bands, or wherein the gripping means comprise a handle for each hand.

6. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable strap system further comprises two devices, each of the two devices being associated with one of the two elastic resistant bands for adjusting a length of the respective elastic resistant band.

7. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the adjustable strap system comprises gripping means adapted to be gripped by hands of the wearer during exercises.

8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the gripping means are integrally formed with the at least one elastic resistant band.

9. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the gripping means comprise a handle for each hand.

10. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the adjustable strap system further comprises at least one device for adjusting the length of the at least one resistant band.

11. The exercise device of claim 10 wherein the at least one device for adjusting the length of the at least one elastic resistant band is selected from the group consisting of a buckle, clip and cleat.

12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the sensory means further comprises at least one pressure sensor.

13. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is an electronic pressure sensor.

14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the electronic pressure sensor is in wireless communication with a pressure monitoring device.

15. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is associated with the spine contact member.

16. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises two pressure sensors that are associated with the rigid planar members, such that each of the rigid planar members has an associated pressure sensor of the two pressure sensors.

17. The exercise device of claim 12, wherein the at least one pressure sensors comprises three pressure sensors, two of the three pressure sensors are associated with the rigid planar members, such that each of the rigid planar members has an associated pressure sensor of the two pressure sensors, and a third pressure sensor of the three pressure sensors is associated with the spine contact member.

18. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the spine contact member has a smooth surface that contacts the thoracic curve of the wearer.

19. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the spine contact member has one or more projections on the surface that contacts the thoracic curve of the wearer.

20. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the spine contact member and two rigid planar members are separate components.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed. Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a person showing a neutral spine;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of a person with a healthy spine demonstrating good posture;

(4) FIG. 3 is an image of a person whose spine has lost its neutral shape;

(5) FIG. 4 is a photograph of a person demonstrating a flattened thoracic curve and protruding scapula;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a person wearing an exercise device according to one embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a view of the underside of the sensory means of the exercise device of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 6A is a view of the underside of an alternative embodiment of the sensory means of the exercise device of FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 7 is a side view of the spine contact member of the exercise device of FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the sensory means of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention illustrating good posture;

(11) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sensory means of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention illustrating a flattened thoracic curve and protruding scapula;

(12) FIG. 10A illustrates a front view showing an adjustable strap system about one shoulder;

(13) FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a cleat used for adjustment of the strap system;

(14) FIG. 11 is a side view of a person wearing an exercise device of the invention, illustrating the directions that pushing exercises can be undertaken in;

(15) FIG. 12 is a side view of a person wearing an exercise device of the invention, undertaking a pushing out exercise (position 52 of FIG. 10) combined with axial compression and axial external rotation of the upper limb;

(16) FIG. 13 is a depiction of poor, slumped posture;

(17) FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sensory means of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention on a person with poor, slumped posture;

(18) FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sensory means of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention on a person with poor posture where the spine is arched backwards;

(19) FIG. 16 is a depiction of a person wearing an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention to assist with maintaining good posture during lifting;

(20) FIG. 17 is a depiction of a person wearing an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention to assist with maintaining good posture during push-up exercises against a wall; and

(21) FIG. 18 shows an exercise device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(22) In FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a person 10 with a neutral spine 12. The imaginary, vertical line of good posture 14 through the mastoid process, centre of the shoulder joint and the centre of the hip joint is indicated, as is the distance 16 between the apex of the thoracic curve 18 (approximately T5-T7) and the vertical line of good posture 14.

(23) In FIG. 2, a side view of a person 10 demonstrating good posture with the curved shape of the thoracic spine and the scapula held flat against the rib cage is shown. To adopt good posture in this manner requires working the scapulo-thoracic muscles (mainly serratus anterior) to maintain the thoracic spine curve, as well as holding the scapula flat against the rib cage.

(24) In FIG. 3, the person 10 is attempting wall push ups as a strengthening exercise, but has lost the neutral shape of their spine. Instead, the spine has moved into a reversed C shape. Continued exercise with the spine in this position will weaken rather than strengthen the spine.

(25) The image in FIG. 4 shows a person 10 with a flattened thoracic curve 20 and scapula 22 which are lifted away from the chest wall and protruding more posteriorly than the thoracic curve of the spine. This is known as winging of the scapula.

(26) FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a person 10 wearing an exercise device according to one embodiment of the invention. The device comprises a spine contact member 26 positioned at the thoracic curve of the person 10, and two rigid planar members 28 which extend laterally from the spine contact member 26. The rigid planar members 28 are positioned over the scapula of the person 10. The spine contact member 26 and associated rigid planar members 28 are held in position by straps 30 which pass over and under the shoulders of the person 10.

(27) The underside of the sensory means 32 of an exercise device is shown in FIG. 6. The underside is the side that is in contact with a wearer 10 when the device is in use. In this embodiment, the spine contact member 26 has a series of rubber protrusions 34, which in situ press into the surface of the thoracic curve and provide tactile feedback.

(28) The underside of a sensory means 32A of an alternative embodiment of the exercise device of FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 6A. In this embodiment, the spine contact member 26A also has a series of rubber protrusions 34A, which in situ press into the surface of the thoracic curve and provide tactile feedback. Additionally, in this embodiment, the spine contact member 26A has a pressure sensor 35 on the spine contact member 26A and a pressure sensor 35A on each rigid planar member 28A.

(29) In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the pressure sensors 35, 35A are in wireless communication with a pressure monitoring device 33. Typically, the pressure monitoring device is a smart phone, tablet or similar.

(30) A side view of the sensory means 32 of an exercise device is shown in FIG. 7. The spine contact member 26 has a series of protrusions 34 which in situ press into the surface of the thoracic curve and provide tactile feedback. The spine contact member 26 thus has a height 36 of approximately 1.5 cm to 2 cm above the plane of the rigid planar members 28.

(31) A cross-sectional view of the sensory means 32 of an exercise device illustrating correct position in good posture is shown in FIG. 8. The position of the apex of the thoracic spine 18 can be felt by the wearer through the spine contact member 26 and associated protrusions 34. In addition, the rigid planar members 28 can be felt on top of the shoulder blades 22.

(32) A cross-sectional view of the sensory means 32 of an exercise device illustrating a flattened thoracic curve is shown in FIG. 9. The weakened thoracic curve has flattened 20 (as depicted in FIG. 4) and cannot be felt by the wearer against the spine contact member 26 and associated protrusions 34. However, the rigid planar members 28 can be felt on top of the shoulder blades 22, which are in a winging position.

(33) Referring generally to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the use of the exercise device to strengthen the scapula-thoracic region and specifically facilitate and strengthen the serratus anterior in its weight-bearing role is dependent on the height 36 of the spine contact member 26 and associated protrusions 34. It is the sensory feedback of the spine contact member 26 and associated protrusions 34 to the wearer when postural form is good (as in FIG. 8), encouraging the wearer to push backwards to form the apex of the thoracic curve and so activate the serratus anterior in its weight-bearing role. This correct muscle action results in increased pressure under the spine contact member 26 and associated protrusions 34 and decreased pressure under the rigid planar members 28 as the scapulae flatten against the chest wall.

(34) FIG. 10A illustrates a front view of an adjustable strap system about one shoulder. The portion of the adjustable strap system shown comprises a shoulder elastic exercise band 38, an underarm elastic exercise band 40, a movable hand-grip 42 and a cleat 44. The shoulder elastic exercise band 38 meets the underarm elastic exercise band 40 in the front of a wearer 10 of the device as a continuous band. The cleat 44 enables the elastic exercise bands 38 and 40 to be adjusted to suit the size of the wearer. The movable hand-grip 42 enables a user to easily grip the exercise band during exercise.

(35) FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the cleat 44 shown in FIG. 10A. The cleat 44 has a top opening 46 and a bottom opening 48 for engaging and holding an elastic exercise band (not shown).

(36) During use, the spine contact member and rigid planar members are positioned against the back of a user, with the spine contact member positioned on the thoracic curve of the wearer and each rigid planar member positioned over a scapula of the wearer. The elastic exercise bands are passed over and under each shoulder and a cleat positioned vertically at the front of each shoulder to hold the device firmly in position. If the spine contact member and rigid planar members are not correctly positioned, the cleat position on the elastic exercise bands can be adjusted until the spine contact member and rigid planar members are correctly positioned.

(37) Performing a pushing, simulated weight-bearing action of the upper limb with the elastic exercise bands, combined with a push back action against the spine contact member on the apex of the thoracic spine, while maintaining good postural form, allows the correct recruitment of serratus anterior and also axial compression through the entire upper limb and scapula-thoracic region to strengthen this region of the spine.

(38) FIG. 11 is a side view of a person wearing an exercise device of the invention and shows some of the different directions, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 that the combination of movable hand-grips and cleats allows pushing exercises to be undertaken in.

(39) Exercise devices according to the invention also allow exercises to be performed in various positions of axial rotation of the upper limb combined with simulated weight-bearing (axial compression). FIG. 12 illustrates activation of the thoracic curve combined with a pushing out exercise (position 52 of FIG. 10) combined with axial compression and axial external rotation of the upper limb.

(40) Poor, slumped posture is depicted in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sensory means 32 of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention on a person with poor, slumped posture. The shoulders and scapula 22 have moved forward and are no longer in contact with the rigid planar members 28. In addition, there is a marked increase in pressure of the spine contact member 26 against the thoracic region of the spine 18.

(41) FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the sensory means 32 of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention on a person with poor posture where the spine is arched backwards (as during exercise in FIG. 3). The shoulders and scapula 22 are in contact with the rigid planar members 28 and there is a marked reduction in pressure of the spine contact member 26 against the thoracic curve of the spine 18.

(42) An exercise device according to the invention can be used simply as a postural feedback device to correct the poor postures illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. That is, the exercise device is not limited to use during weight-bearing exercises of the upper limbs. During daily activities and exercises, the exercise device provides feedback on the position of the apex of the thoracic spine in relation to the position of the shoulder blades and can thus assist in maintaining good posture (as illustrated in FIG. 8).

(43) For example, an exercise device according to the invention can be used to provide feedback on posture whilst using the upper limbs in functional activities such as lifting (illustrated in FIG. 16) or during exercises such as push-up exercises against a wall (illustrated in FIG. 17).

(44) In FIG. 18 there is shown an exercise device 24 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The device 24 comprises a spine contact member 26 to be positioned at the thoracic curve of a person wearing the device, and two rigid planar members 28 which extend laterally from the spine contact member 26. The rigid planar members 28 are positioned over the scapulae of the wearer. The spine contact member 26 and associated rigid planar members 28 are held in position by adjustable straps 30 which pass over and under the shoulders of the wearer.

(45) The device 24 further comprises separate handles 60. The handles 60 slide on the adjustable straps 30 to allow a push out exercise against the adjustable straps 30 in multidirectional simulated weight-bearing exercise for the upper limb. The handles 60 are detachable from the adjustable straps 30 allowing the exercise device to be readily used as a posture feedback device.

(46) It can thus be seen that an exercise device of the present invention provides an external sensory feedback device for facilitation and strengthening of the scapulo-thoracic region, particularly the serratus anterior, during exercise. An exercise device of the present invention can also be used to provide feedback on postural awareness and monitor good postural form during daily activities and exercises.

(47) In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

(48) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

(49) In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention, is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.