Abstract
A training device (1) for training abdominal muscles comprising an arm (3) and a handle (2) for holding with two hands, the handle (2) being attached to or forming an integral part of the arm (3). There are disclosed different embodiments allowing a user to hold the handle (2) and to make arch-like training movements in order to train control of abdominal muscle activity.
Claims
1. A training device for training abdominal muscles of a user, the training device comprising a single arm, a handle for holding with two hands, the handle being attached to or forming an integral part of the single arm, wherein the training device is configured to be moveable to any direction on a surface and comprises a platform attached to or forming an integral part of the single arm and having a weight attachment means provided thereon and configured to carry a mass, and wheels, gliders, or rollers attached to the platform for enabling movement of the training device on the surface by the user, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers are configured to allow movement of the training device into any direction on the surface directly from a stationary position, wherein the mass is either an integral part of the platform or can be adjusted through detachable weights.
2. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the training device is configured to be used on a flat surface.
3. The training device according to claim 2, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers comprise three wheels supporting the platform.
4. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the single arm is telescopic allowing height adjustment.
5. The training device according to claim 4, wherein the single arm has a joint for additional adjustment of the single arm and the handle.
6. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the wheels, gliders, or roller comprise three wheels supporting the platform.
7. The training device according to claim 1 wherein the single arm has a joint for additional adjustment of the single arm and the handle.
8. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the mass is an integral part of the platform.
9. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the mass is can be adjusted through detachable weights.
10. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers comprise three swivel wheels.
11. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the single arm is attached to the platform along a centerline of the platform, the single arm being aligned with the centerline of the platform.
12. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the single arm has a length between 95 cm to 140 cm.
13. A training device for training abdominal muscles of a user, the training device comprising a single arm, a handle for holding with two hands, the handle being attached to or forming an integral part of the single arm, wherein the training device is configured to be moveable to any direction on a surface and comprises a platform attached to or forming an integral part of the single arm and having a weight attachment means provided thereon and configured to carry a mass, and wheels, gliders, or rollers attached to the platform for enabling movement of the training device on the surface by the user, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers are configured to allow movement of the training device into any direction on the surface directly from a stationary position, wherein the single arm is a straight piece and at an angle so that a height of the training device and a radius of the weight movement are adjusted simultaneously.
14. The training device according to claim 13 wherein the single arm has a joint for additional adjustment of the single arm and the handle.
15. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the single arm is telescopic allowing height adjustment.
16. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the single arm has a length between 95 cm to 140 cm.
17. The training device according to claim 13, wherein the angle of the single arm relative to the platform is variable between 45 degrees and 75 degrees.
18. A training device for training abdominal muscles of a user, the training device comprising an arm, a handle for holding with two hands, the handle being attached to or forming an integral part of the arm, wherein the training device is configured to be moveable to any direction on a surface and comprises a platform attached to or forming an integral part of the arm and having a weight attachment means provided thereon and configured to carry a mass, and wheels or gliders or rollers attached to the platform and positioned underneath the platform for enabling movement of the training device on the surface by the user, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers are configured to allow movement of the training device into any direction on the surface directly from a stationary position, wherein the mass is either an integral part of the platform or can be adjusted through detachable weights.
19. The training device according to claim 18, wherein the training device is configured to be used on a flat surface.
20. The training device according to claim 18, wherein the arm is telescopic allowing height adjustment.
21. The training device according to claim 18, wherein the arm has a joint for additional adjustment of the arm and the handle.
22. The training device according to claim 18, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers comprise three swivel wheels.
23. The training device according to claim 18, wherein the arm has a length between 95 cm to 140 cm.
24. A training device for training abdominal muscles of a user, the training device comprising an arm, a handle for holding with two hands, the handle being attached to or forming an integral part of the arm, wherein the training device is configured to be moveable to any direction on a surface and comprises a platform attached to or forming an integral part of the arm and having a weight attachment means provided thereon and configured to carry a mass, and wheels or gliders or rollers attached to the platform and positioned underneath the platform for enabling movement of the training device on the surface by the user, wherein the wheels, gliders, or rollers are configured to allow movement of the training device into any direction on the surface directly from a stationary position, wherein the arm is a straight piece and at an angle so that a height of the training device and a radius of the weight movement are adjusted simultaneously.
25. The training device according to claim 24, wherein the arm has a length between 95 cm to 140 cm.
26. The training device according to claim 24, wherein the angle of the arm relative to the platform is variable between 45 degrees and 75 degrees.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1A presents a schematic overview of one embodiment in which the training device has wheels.
(3) FIG. 1B presents a schematic overview of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in which the weight attachment means is configured to hold the mass to be moved at a variable distance from the user.
(4) FIG. 2A presents a schematic overview of another embodiment in which the training device has a track or rails.
(5) FIG. 2B presents a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.
(6) FIG. 3A presents a schematic overview of another embodiment in which the arm is rotatably hinged to a stand.
(7) FIGS. 3B and 3C present variations of the embodiment of FIG. 3A.
(8) FIG. 4A presents a schematic overview of an embodiment in which there is a stationary stand and a rotatable training pedestal connected to the stand for rotation in relation to the stand.
(9) FIGS. 4B and 4C present variations of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(10) FIG. 1A presents a training device 1 for training abdominal muscles and a user holding the training device 1. The vertical dashed line y indicates the vertical centerline of the user's trunk, the arrows the alternating directions of the exercise movement and the horizontal dashed line x the approximate radius of the weight movement.
(11) The training device 1 comprises a handle 2 to be held with both hands. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the handle 2 is shaped as a downward projecting triangle and is held from its base, but other forms are also possible. The part of the handle 2 to be held can be continuous or discontinuous.
(12) The part of the handle 2 to be held can be horizontal, vertical or angled in between these two extremes, or the angle can be adjustable with a joint. The width of the part of the handle 2 to be held can vary to accommodate users of different body structures. In an optimal situation, the user grips the handle 2 at a width that is approximately the width of the user's shoulders. The width of the handle 2 can thus vary from approximately 35 cm to 95 cm and is, for an average-sized user, approximately 65 cm.
(13) The training device 1 of FIG. 1A further comprises an arm 3 whose length, and thus the height of the handle 2, can be adjusted for users of different height. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the arm 3 is formed of two tubes, the first tube having a smaller diameter than the second tube, so that the first tube fits inside the second tube. The tubes can be secured to a desired height through height adjustment means 4, which can have any structure known in the art. They can, for example, comprise a screwable pin going through a hole in the second tube having the larger diameter and, when tightened, pressing against the first tube having the smaller diameter. Other structures for the arm 3 and height adjustment means 4 are also possible, as is apparent for a person skilled in the art. Height adjustment can be in some embodiments accomplished also through means arranged in the handle 2 of the training device 1.
(14) The training device 1 of FIG. 1A further comprises a platform 5 that is configured to move a mass with an inertia suitable for physical training. The mass can be generated by the platform 5 itself, through additional weights 7, or their combination. The heaviness of the exercise movement is determined by the combination of the weight of the platform 5 (and of possible weights 7 thereon) and the radius of the movement of the mass. The latter depends on the length of the arm 3 of the training device 1, its angle relative to the surface on which the platform 5 is moved and on the anatomy of the user. The platform 5 can have any shape that is appropriate for its function. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the platform 5 is broad in comparison to its thickness, but its shape depends on the specifics of the weight attachment means 6 and the configuration of the weights 7, for example.
(15) The angle of the arm 3 relative to the platform 5 and to the surface on which the training device 1 is moved can be for example 60 degrees, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, but it can vary between approximately 45 and 75 degrees. The arm 3 can also be attacked to the platform 5 through a joint to allow the adjustment of the angle of the arm 3. The change in the angle of the arm 3 affects how changing the height of the training device 1 relates to the change in the radius of the platform 5 movement during exercise. This in turn affects how much the inertia of the mass to be moved changes with a given speed of the exercise movement when the height of the training device 1 is changed. Therefore, having a jointed arm 3 might reduce the number of weights 7 needed for adjusting the mass to be moved for different users. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the appropriate height of the training device 1 for an average-sized user is achieved with an arm 3 length of 105 cm, but the length can vary between approximately 95 cm and 140 cm for users of different height.
(16) In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the training device 1 has weight attachment means 6 in the shape of a rod through which weight plates 7 can be fitted. Although not depicted in the figure, the weight attachment means 6 can comprise safety mechanisms, such as locks, to prevent the accidental release of the weights 7 from the weight attachment means 6.
(17) In FIG. 1A, the training device 1 has four swivel wheels 8 that allow the training device 1 to move substantially freely in all directions. In this embodiment, the swivel wheels 8 have a diameter of 5 cm, but also smaller or larger wheels 8 are possible. As an alternative to swivel wheels 8, the training device 1 can be mounted on any other suitable gliding or rolling means 8, for example hard hemispheres or spherical wheels. The selection of wheels or gliding or rolling means 8 depends on the surface on which the training device 1 is used. For example on ice, the platform 5 could resemble a stone used in curling or it could be mounted on hard supports 8 functioning similarly. The wheels or gliding or rolling means 8 can also be exchangeable through a locking mechanisms that are known in the art. The number of wheels or gliding or rolling means 8 can vary, but the preferred minimum number is three, since the training device 1 should retain its upright position without force input from the user during exercise movement. There is no theoretical maximum for the number of wheels or gliding or lolling means 8.
(18) The training device 1 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A can have additional safety and usage aids not depicted in the figure. For example, there can be a support at the end of the platform 5 closest to the arm 3 preventing the training device 1 from falling over in situations where the weight of the platform 5 is small and the arm 3 is extended so far that the center of gravity of the training device 1 is outside the area defined by the wheels or gliding or rolling means 8. Further, the training device 1 can be accompanied with an underlay providing a suitable surface for using the training device 1 and having indications or instructions for the appropriate use of the training device 1.
(19) The material for the training device 1 can be selected from many different alternatives known in the art for building training devices. Steel, for example, would have the benefit of being heavy enough in itself for some users. Lighter materials, such as aluminum, composite materials or wood, would allow a wider range of exercise weights in the lower end of the weight range. Some parts could be manufactured from inexpensive plastic materials as well.
(20) The numbering adopted in FIG. 1A will be followed in the figures described below. Only the relevant features of each embodiment are described and repeated reference to all features of the training device 1 is avoided for brevity.
(21) FIG. 1B presents the training device 1 of FIG. 1A in which the portion of the handle 2 to be held is continuous. The weight attachment means 6 allow moving the weights 7 along the direction of the radius of the exercise movement (double-headed arrow). This makes it possible to adjust the heaviness of the exercise movement without the addition or removal of weight plates, simply by changing the radius of the weight movement. The closer the weights 7 are to the user, the smaller the inertia of the training device 1 is with a given speed of body movement and vice versa. The weights 7 are a weight block 7 that can be specially designed to fit to the weight attachment means 6.
(22) FIG. 2A presents an embodiment of the training device 1 in which the arm 3 is divided into two parts through a joint 9 and the platform 5 is mounted on rails 10 whose shape approximates the circular arch of the training movement (depicted by the two arrows of opposite directions). The handle 2 is a straight bar and depicted as having a grip 2′ for each hand for holding. The grip 2′ can have an anatomical shape and its width can be adjustable for each user. The joint 9 can have a fixed angle or the angle can be adjustable to accommodate users of differing body structure. The height adjustment means 4 is in the lower portion of the arm 3 and the upper portion has additional height adjustment means 4′ that can be either securable to a specified height, free-moving or have a resistance to movement.
(23) The rails 10 can have any construction with low enough frictional resistance to movement and their connection to the platform 5 can have bearings, many types of which are known in the art. In FIG. 2A, there are two rails 10, but for example a single track 10 could alternatively be used, and the rail or track profile can have a cross-sectional profile other than a circle.
(24) Human body movement rarely follows exact geometrical patterns. Therefore, the training device 1 as presented in this embodiment, can have different means to accommodate the deviations of the exercise movement of the user from Ube exact circular arch defined by the rails 10. These means can be incorporated for example in the bearing of the rails 10, in the upper part of the arm 3 above the joint 9 or in the handle 2. The user can thus follow the natural movement of his/her body without being constrained by the training device 1 to an artificially geometrical movement path.
(25) Safety features, such as stoppers for the platform 5 are omitted from FIG. 2A but can be present in practical applications.
(26) FIG. 2B presents another embodiment of the training device 1. In this embodiment, there are two sets of weights 7 that are attached to the weight attachment means 6 through wires 11 (direction of movement depicted by the double-headed arrows). The platform 5 connecting the arm 3 and the weight attachment means 6 is small in comparison to the previous figures and is configured to move along an arched track 10 as the arm 3 attached to the handle 2 is moved by the user (depicted by the two arrows of opposite directions). Different solutions known in the art to minimize the friction between the platform 5 and the track 10 can be employed. Flexibility in the natural exercise movement of the user is accommodated through additional height adjustment means 4′ that can be constructed as in FIG. 2A. The rotational exercise movement of the user is converted into a vertical movement of the weights 7 through rollers 12. There are two sets of weights 7 in the training device 1 according to this embodiment. To minimize the force needed for the movement, the weights 7 move into complementary directions, and when they are adjusted, both sets of weights 7 should have an equal mass.
(27) FIG. 3A presents an embodiment of the training device 1 which resembles the embodiment of FIG. 2A, but instead of rails 10, the platform 5 is fixed on a horizontal extension 13 of the arm 3 that is rotatably hinged to a stand 15 through a hinge 14 (movement depicted by the two arrows of opposite direction). The means to accommodate the natural exercise movement of the user are in the additional height adjustment means 4′. Alternatively these means can also be built into the extension 13 of the arm 3. The hinge 14 attaching the extension 13 of the arm 3 to the stand 15 is located so, that it can be aligned with the vertical centerline of the user (vertical dashed line) when the user is on the stand 15 holding the handle 2 in an appropriate training position.
(28) The stand 15 in FIG. 3A comprises a support plate 15a and a training pedestal 15b. The hinge 14 can be attached to either or both of them. The support plate 15a is configured to ascertain the stability of the training device 1 and the training pedestal 15b allows the vertical centerline of the user to be located above the hinge 14. There can optionally be further height adjustment means in the training pedestal 15b.
(29) In FIG. 3A the platform 5 carrying the weights 7 is on the same side of the hinge 14 as the arm 3. It would be possible to construct a training device 1 according to the present embodiment alternatively by continuing the extension 13 of the arm 3 through the hinge 14 and attaching the platform 5 on the opposite side of the hinge 14.
(30) FIG. 3B presents the embodiment of FIG. 3A in which the movement of the extension 13 of the arm 3 rotates a gearwheel 16. The gearwheel 16 is in communication with a platform 5 configured to be a flywheel through a cogged belt 17 (not visible in the figure). The platform 5 is configured to be a flywheel creating inertia resisting the change of the exercise movement direction. The weights 7 are attached to the flywheel 5 by the weight attachment means 6. The heaviness of the exercise movement can be adjusted through weights 7 of different mass, or through gearing in the flywheel 5 that allows changing the transmission between the gearwheel 16 and the flywheel 5.
(31) FIG. 3C presents the embodiment of FIG. 3A in which the movement of the extension 13 of the arm 3 moves a pair of weights 7 through a wire, rope or a belt 11. In FIG. 3C, the movement of the handle 2 is mediated to the weights 7 by a platform 5 configured to be a pulley 5, but it would be possible to attach the wire, rope or the belt 11 directly to the arm 3 or its extension 13. In FIG. 3C, the wire, rope or the belt 11 runs through rollers 12 that convert the rotating movement of the pulley 5 into the linear movement of the weights 7. Although in FIG. 3C, the movement of the weights 7 is vertical, also horizontal movement along rails, tracks or similar would be possible. The weight attachment means 6 (not indicated in the figure) can have any construction known in the field for attaching and adjusting linearly moveable weight stacks in training devices.
(32) FIG. 4A presents an embodiment of the training device 1 in which the arm 3, as in FIGS. 2 and 3, is divided into two parts through the joint 9. The arm 3 is fixed on the support plate 15a of the stand 15. In addition to the support plate 15a, the stand 15 comprises the training pedestal 15b, which in this embodiment, is rotatably hinged to the support plate 15a by the hinge 14 (movement depicted by double-headed arrows). The hinge 14 is located so, that it can be aligned with the vertical centerline of the user (vertical dashed line) when the user is on the training pedestal 15b holding the handle 2 in an appropriate training position.
(33) The platform 5, weight attachment means 6 and the weights 7 move with the training pedestal 15b and, together with the weight of the user, provide the mass to be moved in the exercise. The heaviness of the exercise movement can be adjusted through weights 7 of different mass, through changing the distance of the weights 7 from the hinge 14, or the combination of both alternatives.
(34) FIG. 4B presents the embodiment of FIG. 4A in which the movement of the training pedestal 15b rotates the gearwheel 16 through the hinge 14. The gearwheel 16 is in communication with the platform 5 configured to be a flywheel through a cogged belt 17. The flywheel 5 can be either geared, loadable with different weights 7 or both in order to adjust the heaviness of the exercise movement.
(35) FIG. 4C presents the embodiment of FIG. 4A in which the movement of the training pedestal rotates a wheel-shaped platform 5 (the arched double-headed arrows). The platform 5 is connected to a pair of weights 7 as in FIG. 3C.
(36) The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.
