Fitness and rehabilitation aid

Abstract

A fitness and rehabilitation aid is provided comprising a weighted loading head for achieving a desired centrifugal force and a handle configured for grasping by a user. The weighted loading head and the handle are interconnected by a flexible connecting component. A length of the flexible connecting component between the weighted loading head and the handle is at least 600 mm. In use, the user grasps the handle and rotates the fitness and rehabilitation aid in a particular pattern, creating the desired centrifugal force to stimulate desired muscle parts of the user.

Claims

1. A fitness and rehabilitation aid configured to use centrifugal forces to take a body center of mass of a user away from a first position in order to optimally stimulate desired muscle parts of a user, the fitness and rehabilitation aid comprising: a loading head having a body and configured for achieving a desired centrifugal force; a handle configured for grasping by the user; and a flexible connecting element that interconnects the loading head and the handle; wherein: a length of the flexible connecting element between an orifice of the handle and a hole for inserting the connecting element to the loading head is at least 600 mm; a weight of the loading head is at least 250 g and does not exceed 600 g; the loading head is adapted for holding replaceable weights and contains at least one hole or recess for weights placement; the at least one hole or recess for weights placement is a pass-through in the body of the loading head; the flexible connecting element surrounds the at least one hole or recess for weights placement from opposing sides thereof and the flexible connecting element contracts around the replaceable weights due to the desired centrifugal force; and the flexible connecting element is embedded into lengthwise grooves that go through the at least one hole or recess for weights placement.

2. The fitness and rehabilitation aid according to claim 1, wherein the length of the flexible connecting element is between 640 to 660 mm.

3. The fitness and rehabilitation aid according to claim 1, wherein the weight of the loading head is up to 450 g.

4. The fitness and rehabilitation aid according to claim 1, wherein a length of the loading head is from 120 to 200 mm and a diameter of the loading head is from 50 to 65 mm.

5. The fitness and rehabilitation aid according to claim 1, wherein: the loading head contains holes on edges of the loading head for pulling the flexible connecting element therethrough; and the flexible connecting element enters the loading head in a middle of a side wall of the loading head by a further hole in a longitudinal axis of the loading head, follows a half-arc recess of a locking element and surrounds the at least one hole or recess for weights placement and ends in the locking element.

6. The fitness and rehabilitation aid according to claim 1, wherein: the body of the loading head is created from a hard core that contains holes; and a soft slip-on cover is attached to the body that minimizes possible injuries or damages caused by a hit from the loading head.

7. The fitness and rehabilitation aid according to claim 1, wherein: the loading head comprises at least two repeatedly detachable parts; and at least one of the at least two repeatedly detachable parts is replaceable by a part of a same shape with a different weight.

Description

OVERVIEW OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows side view of the aid as per this invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows details of the cross-section of the loading head, which contains the weights and rope fixated to the head by the locking component.

(3) FIG. 3 shows cross-section of the handle that contains fixed locking;

(4) FIG. 4 shows cross-section of the handle that contains the shiftable locking for smooth adjustment of the rope length;

(5) FIG. 5 shows cross-section of the handle that contains locking pad in combination with rope cuts, which enables tiered adjustment of the rope length;

(6) FIG. 6a shows axonometric view of the locking component for smooth rope length adjustment;

(7) FIG. 6b shows dismantled view of the set of components that are contained in the locking component as per FIG. 6a;

(8) FIG. 6c shows cross-section of the locking component as per FIG. 6a in open position, when the braking parts enable free movement of the rope;

(9) FIG. 6d shows cross-section of the locking component as per FIG. 6c.

(10) FIG. 6e shows cross-section of the locking component as per FIG. 6a in locked position, when the braking parts are fixating the rope;

(11) FIG. 6f shows cross-section of the locking component as per FIG. 6e.

(12) FIG. 7 shows cross-section and A-A section of convenient variation of implementation of the handle with ergonomic shape in aspect ratio of the real product;

(13) FIG. 8a shows variation of implementation of the loading head in cross-section, consisting of two interconnected parts, complementary in shape;

(14) FIG. 8b shows variation of implementation of the loading head as per FIG. 8a in cross-section consisting of two disconnected parts, complementary in shape;

(15) FIG. 9 shows variation of implementation of the loading head consisting of one part and equipped with shiftable locking component;

(16) FIG. 10a shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 1;

(17) FIG. 10b shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 2;

(18) FIG. 10c shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 3;

(19) FIG. 10d shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 4;

(20) FIG. 10e shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 5;

(21) FIG. 10f shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 6;

(22) FIG. 10g shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 7;

(23) FIG. 10h shows operation scheme of the aid as per variation 8;

EXAMPLES OF INVENTION IMPLEMENTATION

Example 1

(24) Fitness and rehabilitation aid as per FIG. 1, using mostly centrifugal forces that are taking the body centre of mass from its natural position while the mutual configuration of the individual components, of which the aid is consisted of, optimally stimulates the desired muscle parts, while the aid consists of the loading head 2 for achieving the desired centrifugal force and handle 3 for grasping by the user, while loading head 2 and handle 3 are interconnected by the flexible connecting component 1, generally rope, while the length of the flexible connecting component 1 from point where the flexible connecting component 1 leaves the handle 2, i. e. from the orifice 31 of the handle, to the point where it enters the loading head 2, i. e. the hole 24 for inserting the connecting component 1 to the loading head 2, equals at least 600 mm, preferably 620 to 750 mm, more preferably 640 to 660 mm, most preferably 650 mm.

(25) In the given example the flexible connecting component 1 length equals the most beneficial 650 mm. Length of the loading head 2 equals 120 to 200 mm and diameter is 50 to 65 mm, in the given example it equals the most convenient 130 mm and the diameter of the head 2 is approximately 58 mm. The weight of the loading head 2 equals at least 250 g and does not exceed 600 g, preferably the weight of the loading head 2 equals 450 g maximum and in the given example the weight of the loading head 2 equals 350 g.

Example 2

(26) Aid as per example 1, that is, in order to prevent accidental release of the flexible connecting component 1, generally rope, equipped with fixed locking 4 of the flexible connecting component 1 in the handle 3, while the implementation of the fixed locking 4 is shown on FIG. 3.

Example 3

(27) Aid as per example 1 or 2, in which as per convenient implementation the handle 3 in the orifice 31 of the flexible connecting component and/or the locking 4 itself is preferably equipped with a bearing 33, which significantly reduces the friction between the flexible connecting component 1 and the handle 3 and therefore promotes the free rotation of the flexible connecting component 1 in handle 3. Example of implementation of the bearing 33 is in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Example 4

(28) Aid as per any of examples 1 to 3 with the difference that for more comfortable and, in case of rehabilitation, more thorough workout the loading head 2 and/or handle 3 is equipped with shiftable locking for adjustment of the flexible connecting component 1 length from the point, where the flexible connecting component leaves the handle, i. e. from the handle orifice, to the point, where it enters the loading head 2. The optimal range in which it is possible to adjust the flexible connecting component length is approximately 120 mm, while the flexible connecting component cannot be shorter than 600 mm in the above-defined section. Examples of implementation of shiftable locking in the handle are in FIGS. 4 and 5. Example of implementation of shiftable locking in the loading head is in FIGS. 8a, 8b and 9. Example of variation of implementation of shiftable locking is in FIGS. 6a to 6f.

Example 5

(29) Aid as per example 4 where locking is the shiftable locking component 7, which is described in detail in FIGS. 6a to 6f. This locking component enables to fixate the flexible connecting component, generally rope, in any position and can be used also for the loading head locking 2, as can be seen for example from FIG. 8a, 8b and FIG. 9. The locking component 7 as per this implementation consists of hollow body 70 of cylindrical shape, through which the flexible connecting component 1 passes, and which is equipped with a recess 73 in the longitudinal axis of the locking component 7 on the opposite walls, to which the braking part 71 is fixated by pin 72 set perpendicularly to the recess 73 axis and also to the axis of the flexible connecting component 1. One locking component contains at least one pair of opposing braking parts 71.

(30) The braking part 71 is equipped with braking surface 711, preferably equipped with rough surface, which is further from the hole 712 creating the centre of mass of the rotation of the braking part 71, through which the pin 72 goes, than its opposite surface enabling free movement of the flexible connecting component 1. By rotating, the braking part 71 for the braking surface 711 to face the flexible connecting component 1 the flexible connecting component 1 is compressed in the place of locking component 7 and thus the locking component 7 is fixated on the flexible connecting component 1. The shape of the braking surface 711 is rounded, while the braking part 71 has its braking surface 711 elongated from the rotation axis so that if the locking component 7 is in locked position of the braking part 71, by pulling the flexible connecting component 1 this elongated part of the braking surface 711 will affect the braking part 71 in the direction of the flexible connecting component 1 movement and stronger compression of the flexible connecting component 1 occurs. By pulling the flexible connecting component 1 in the opposite direction, release of the locking component 71 can occur for the purpose of adjustment of the flexible connecting component 1 length.

Example 6

(31) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 5 where the flexible connecting component 1 is rope or cord.

Example 7

(32) Aid as per example 6 where rope or cord contain flexible scale for adjustment of the length of the flexible connecting component 1 and the scale is preferably inserted into a longitudinal cut in the rope or cord.

Example 8

(33) Aid as per examples 4, 6 or 7, where locking of the flexible connecting component 1 in the handle 3 is in case of using rope or cord preferably implemented with use of two and more cuts 11 in the flexible connecting component 1 in predefined distance, preferably approximately 2 to 7 cm, preferably 5 cm, to which the locking pad 6 with outer dimensions preventing passing through the hole 31 is inserted, by which the flexible connecting component 1 leaves the handle 3 in the direction towards the loading head 2. The locking pad 6 contains a recess (61) that fits into the cut 11 on the flexible connecting component 1. Example of the implementation is shown on FIG. 5. The cuts are created by ultrasound that prevents fray. As per this example the adjustment of the length of the flexible connecting component 1 is achieved by use of three cuts 11 in the above defined section created by hole 24 and hole 31 on 65, 70 and 75 cm.

Example 9

(34) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 8, where the handle is equipped with safety strip or strap on its free end, as shown for example on FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. Its purpose is to catch the aid in case it slips from the user's hand.

Example 10

(35) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 9, where the handle is equipped with a cap 35 for attachment of the strip or strap and/or for access to the flexible connecting component 1 in the handle 3, which is per this example fastened by bolt assembly. Implementation can be seen on FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. July

Example 11

(36) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 10 where the flexible connecting component 1 is static or with low elasticity, as the case may be its elasticity is close to zero and equals 5% maximum.

Example 12

(37) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 11, where the flexible connecting component 1 is fixated to the loading head 2 with use of locking component of the loading head 5. As per this example where rope is used as the flexible connecting component 1, the locking component 5 is preferably fastened by the method of thermoplastics injection. Locking component 5 is preferably equipped with guiding groove 52, which prevents rotation of the locking component 5 in the loading head 2 in the axis of flexible connecting component 1. The locking component 5 is also preferably equipped with half-arc shaped recess 51 for the locking component 5 to be easily flown around by the flexible connecting component 1. See FIG. 2.

(38) The loading head 2 preferably contains at least one hole 25 or recess for weight 26 placement. As per example in FIG. 2 the loading head 2 contains three holes 25 and on the edges the loading head 2 contains holes 23 for pulling the flexible connecting component 1 through. The flexible connecting component 1 enters the loading head 2 in the middle of the side wall of the loading head 2 by the hole 24 in the longitudinal axis of the loading head 2, copies the half-arc recess 51 while it surrounds the weight holes 25 and ends in the locking component 5, to which it is fixated, for example the above mentioned way.

(39) The holes 25 for weights can be pass-through so that the flexible connecting component 1 surrounds the holes 25 from both sides.

(40) The process of fixation of the flexible connecting component 1 to the loading head 2 is first to pull the flexible connecting component 1 through the side hole 23, pull the flexible connecting component 1 to the other end of the loading head 2, pull the flexible connecting component 1 through the other side hole 23, pull the flexible connecting component 1 back to the first end of the loading head 2, pull the flexible connecting component through the first side hole 23 longitudinally to the locking component 5 and pull the flexible connecting component 1 out through the side hole 24 of the loading head 2. This way a loop is created, which fixates the weights 26 during workout with the aid, because the flexible connecting component 1 contracts around the weights 26 due to the centrifugal force.

Example 13

(41) Aid as per example 12, where the flexible connecting component 1 is embedded into longitudinal grooves that go through holes 25 or recesses for weight placement 26 (not shown).

Example 14

(42) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 13 where loading head is preferably created from hard core, that contains the above mentioned holes (23, 24) and then is equipped with soft slip-on cover 21, that minimizes possible injuries or damages caused by loading head hit.

Example 15

(43) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 11 where in alternate implementation, e.g. as per FIGS. 8a and 8b, the loading head 2 consists of at least two repeatably detachable parts 81 where at least one of these parts 81 can be replaced by part of same shape with different weight, by which the total weight of the loading head can be adjusted.

Example 16

(44) Aid as per example 15 where two or more parts 81 of the loading head 2 are fixated by connecting components 82, 83, for example in the form of projections and recesses. Preferably the contacting walls of the parts 81 are created so that they prevent unwanted rotation in all axes, which is achieved by for example corrugation of the contacting walls, as can be seen for example from FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b.

Example 17

(45) Aid as per any of the examples 1 to 11 where loading head 2 is temporarily connected with the flexible connecting component 1 for replacement of one loading head of particular weight by other loading head of different weight.

Example 18

(46) The method of operation as per variation 1 shown on FIG. 10a consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with palms facing you in the waist level; perform the rotation with the aid so that the loading head moves in the shape of an eight, while your arms are stretched, hips and wrists are static and the exercise is done by the torso movement with no movement of wrists and/or arms; variation for rehabilitation workout consists of limitation of the torso movement to the limit of 10 degrees each side with use of lower loading head weight and longer flexible connecting component.

Example 19

(47) The method of operation as per variation 2 shown on FIG. 10b, which is suitable for people with sedentary jobs and those who experience pain and pressure in the lumbar area, consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with palms facing you in the waist level; perform the rotation with the aid so that the loading head moves in the shape of eight gradually raise the arms up to position above head, while in the position of arms above head only torso lean is performed to the sides, in the direction of the loading head passing-through. variation step to be used in case of problems with lumbar spine is to choose flexible connecting component longer than 700 mm and only in reverse movement direction.

Example 20

(48) The method of operation as per variation 3 shown on FIG. 10c consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with palms facing you in the chest level; circle the aid in front of the body while stretched arms are moving in a circle of approximately 50 cm in diameter, while hips, wrists and shoulders are static; due to balanced load on the muscles the direction of the rotation is changed and when the direction of the rotation is changed, also the hands grasp on the handle is changed, while torso muscles are flexed and are coordinating the movement; in variation for rehabilitation workout loading head with the lowest weight is used.

Example 21

(49) The method of operation as per variation 4 shown on FIG. 10d consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with one hand, palm facing down with stretched arm, while the free hand is on your chest; rotate the aid in the shoulder join so that the arm moves in a circle with approximate diameter of 50 cm, while arms are stretched, hips and wrists are static and shoulder blades are contracting towards each other. variation step consists of rotating the body to 45 degrees against the arm to stretch the chest; another variation step consists of moving the arms to both sides. another variation step consists of flexing the torso muscles more intensively on the opposite side from the weight.

Example 22

(50) The method of operation as per variation 5 shown on FIG. 10e consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with palms facing you in the chest level; rotate the aid so that the loading head moves in the shape of an eight, while in the left and right edge position the loading head spins a whole revolution, while on the side, where the revolution occurs, knee is slightly bent and the opposite leg slightly raises the heel with consequent using of the hip joints while arms are stretched, hips and wrists are static and the exercise is performed by the torso movement with exclusion of wrist and/or arm movement; variation step for rehabilitation workout is to limit the torso movement to the limit of 10 degrees on each side.

Example 23

(51) The method of operation as per variation 6 shown on FIG. 10f consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; choose the shortest possible length of the flexible connecting component; grasp the handle with palms facing you in the chest level; rotate the aid so that the loading head moves in the shape of an eight, while wrist is static and the exercise is performed with no torso movement, while on the side where the head passes through the elbow is pushed as far to the back as possible and an imaginary circle is performed by the elbow. variation step is to perform the movement only in the basic direction.

Example 24

(52) The method of operation as per variation 7 shown on FIG. 10g consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with palms facing you; rotate the aid above the head so that torso rotates in an imaginary funnel shape while wrist moves in a circle of diameter approximately 50 cm, while wrist is static and the exercise is performed by the torso without any arm movement; variation step for balanced load on the muscles is to perform the exercise in both directions, while you change the hand on the handle during change of rotation direction; another variation step designed for rehabilitation purposes is to deflect the torso from the body axis in maximal angle of degrees and use the lowest loading head weight.

Example 25

(53) The method of operation as per variation 8 shown on FIG. 10h consists of the following steps: set the body in a wide stance, shoulder breadth, face facing forward, chin slightly up; grasp the handle with palms facing you in the chest level; rotate the aid so that the imaginary ellipsis created by the movement of the loading head proceeds in the opposite direction between lower and upper limbs, therefore askew from the body axis, while the opposite leg is always put slightly forward, while the shoulder and elbow joints are in movement and the torsal movement of the torso is in the range of ca. 22 degrees.

INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION

(54) The invention is usable in industry mainly in the sports field as an aid for workout and body parts shaping. It is also usable for rehabilitation after injuries, surgeries, muscle damage and neurological issues.

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

(55) 1flexible connecting component 11cut 2loading head 21loading head cover 22loading head body 23edge hole for flexible connecting component 24hole for flexible connecting component entering the loading head 25weight hole 26weight 3handle 31hole for flexible connecting component entering the handle 32strip 33bearing 34coat 35cap 4fixed locking component 5loading head locking component 51recess 52guiding groove 6locking pad 61recess 7shiftable locking component 70hollow body of the locking component 71braking part 711braking surface 712braking part hole 72pin 73recess 74hole for pin of the locking component's hollow body pin 81detachable part of the loading head 82connecting component 83connecting component