Exercise device and method

A device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, the device comprising: telescopically assembled co operating inner and outer tubular elements, each said tubular elements having end closure means at their outer ends. The outer tubular element includes an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end and the inner tubular element is provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end. The collars co operate to prevent the withdrawal of the inner tubular element from the outer tubular element when the tubular elements operate telescopically. The device is moveable between a first state in which the telescopic elements are fully extended and a second state in which the telescopic elements are compressible against a bias inside the device to provide a resistance force to rotational movement about the elbow of a forearm in a direction towards an upper arm of the same arm of a user. The device is of a size which allows engagement of one end with a hand of a user and the other end with an upper part of the same arm such that the user can exercise one arm without use of the other arm.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a compression exercise device for the development or rehabilitation of the musculature of the upper arm. The invention also relates to a method of use of an exercise device which is tailored to suit the exercise of an arm without using the other arm.

PRIOR ART

The desire to increase the muscle tone and muscular capacity of the body and specific parts of the body have led to the development of a large range of equipment designed to aid in that process. Such equipment includes weights; stretchable spring arrays and highly complex so-called exercise machines. The development of the muscles of the arm, in particular the biceps, has generally required the use of weights. These are bulky and inconvenient in many situations and do not allow a specifically useful means and method of exercise in which the range of pivotal movement of the forearm relative to the upper arm is restricted to an angle less than 90 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to address the aforesaid prior art disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative.

The invention provides an exercise device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm and to provide a resistance force to rotational movement about the elbow of the forearm towards the upper arm allowing for rotational movement between the limits of approximately an angle of 90 degrees at the elbow and an angle between the forearm and upper arm limited by contact between the forearm and upper arm.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises telescopically assembled inner and outer tubular elements, provided with end closure means at outer ends of said tubular elements; said outer tubular element provided with an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said inner tubular element provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said collars adapted to prevent the withdrawal of said inner tubular element from said outer tubular element when said tubular elements are telescopically assembled.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises:

a device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, the device comprising: telescopically assembled co operating inner and outer tubular elements, each said tubular elements having end closure means at their outer ends; said outer tubular element including an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said inner tubular element provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said collars co operating to prevent the withdrawal of said inner tubular element from said outer tubular element when said tubular elements operate telescopically; said device moveable between a first state in which the telescopic elements are fully extended and a second state in which the telescopic elements are compressible against a bias inside the device to provide a resistance force to rotational movement about the elbow of a forearm in a direction towards an upper arm of the same arm; wherein the device is of a size which allows engagement of one end with a hand of a user and the other end with an upper part of the same arm such that the user can exercise one arm without use of the other arm.

Preferably the rotational movement extends between the limits of approximately an angle of 90 degrees formed by the forearm and upper arm and a smaller angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm. The bias is a compression spring which naturally biases the telescopic elements to their maximum relative extent while ends of the spring act against said closure means to provide the bias to maximum extent. Preferably the maximum extended position, is limited by contact between said collars. The end closure means of the outer tubular member comprises an end cap having a threaded sleeve section which mates with a threaded portion at the end of said tubular element. The end cap on the outer tubular element is removeable to allow access to an interior passage in said device which receives the spring. The level of force resistance exerted by the device can be adjusted by substituting one biasing spring with another of a different compression resistance. Preferably the end closure means of the inner tubular member is provided with a threaded portion adapted to mate with an external thread on the outside of the inner tubular element; said threaded portion providing adjustment means to enable variation of length between said end closure means. The end closure means of said inner tubular member includes a threaded socket; the socket adapted for the attachment of a resilient support pad adapted to fit against the shoulder or hand of a user.

According to one embodiment the end closure means at the outward end of the outer tubular element is provided with a piston rod extending from the end closure means substantially the length of said outer tubular member. The piston rod terminates in a piston adapted for sliding in said inner tubular member and provides sealing of said telescopic elements.

According to a further embodiment, the inner tubular member includes an air flow control valve positioned at the outward end of the inner tubular member. The control valve is adapted to variably restrict the rate of air flow from said inner tubular member when said piston is driven towards said outward end of said tubular member. The end closure means may be provided with resilient pads with one provided with provided with strapping to secure the device to the wrist of a user.

According to a preferred but non limiting embodiment the overall length of said device when said outer and said inner tubular members are in a fully extended position is within in the range of 130 to 180 mm. According to a further embodiment the compression spring acts on a piston and piston rod coaxial with the tubular member so as to urge the piston and piston rod into a maximum extended position. An installed length of the compression spring is adjustable so as to vary a compressive force exerted by the spring on the piston and piston rod when the piston and piston rod are in a maximum extended position. According to one embodiment the tubular member is provided with a shoulder yoke, to support the device at the shoulder of a user and a wrist yoke at an outer end of the piston rod to provide support for the device at the wrist of the user. The shoulder yoke is provided with adjustment means adapted to vary the distance between the shoulder yoke and the wrist yoke, the wrist yoke provided with strapping means adapted to secure the yoke to the wrist of a user. Spring compression loadings required to compress the spring are in the range of 11 to 15 lb or 17 to 21 lb per inch of compression.

According to a broad form of a method aspect the present invention comprises:

a method for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, using a device comprising telescopically assembled co operating inner and outer tubular elements, each said tubular elements having end closure means at their outer ends; said outer tubular element including an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said inner tubular element provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said collars co operating to prevent the withdrawal of said inner tubular element from said outer tubular element when said tubular elements operate telescopically; said method comprising including the steps of; (a) exerting an axial load on the device to induce compression in the device; such that the device resists rotational movement of a forearm towards an upper arm of the same arm, said resistance force acting along the line between the shoulder and the wrist of a user; (b) relaxing said axial load on said device so that said device restricts the angle at the elbow of said user to an angle about or less than 90 degrees; (c) adjusting said device so that the resistance force is within the capacity of the user to overcome by the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm; said adjustment being effected by means of springs of varying spring rate or by means of varying the installed length of a compression spring; (d) repeated reciprocal rotational movements of the forearm towards the upper arm to exercise the arm of the user.

In a particular for a Velcro strap or equivalent releaseably connected device can be utilized to attach the device to the wrist of a user.

Preferably, said end closure means of said inner tubular member is provided with a threaded sleeve portion adapted to mate with an external thread on the outside of the inner tubular member; said threaded sleeve adapted to provide adjustment means to vary the length between the end closure means.

In a further broad form the invention comprises:

a device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said device providing a resistance force to the rotational movement about an elbow of the forearm towards an upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 90 degrees at the elbow and that angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm; the device including telescopically assembled inner and outer tubular elements, said tubular elements provided with end closure means at the outward ends of said tubular elements; the outer tubular element provided with an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said inner tubular element provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said collars preventing the separation of the inner tubular element from the outer tubular element when the tubular elements are telescopically assembled.

Preferably, a compression spring is installed between said cap and the inwardly projecting collar of said inner tubular member; said spring providing an outward urging force biased to return said tubular members to a fully extended position.

In yet a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said method including the steps of; (a) the use of an exercise device providing a resistance force to the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm, said resistance force acting along the line between the shoulder and the wrist of a user; (b) adjusting said device so that when in a relaxed state said device restricts the angle at the elbow of said user to an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees; (c) adjusting said device so that the resistance force is within the capacity of the user to overcome in the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm; said adjustment being effected by means of springs of varying spring rate or by means of varying the installed length of a compression spring; (d) repeated reciprocal rotational movements of the forearm towards the upper arm.

The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art and the shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying illustrations, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The examples referred to herein are illustrative and are not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention. While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be appreciated that these are capable of modification, and therefore the disclosures herein are not to be construed as limiting of the precise details set forth, but to avail such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the description.

FIG. 1shows a preferred embodiment of an exercise device10in which an outer tubular member11telescopically receives an inner tubular member12. Both outer tubular member11and inner tubular masher12are closed at their opposite outer ends13and14respectively, with a closure of first outer end13comprising support element17including threaded cap16adapted to screw onto a threaded end portion9of the tubular member11. Closure of the second outer end14incorporates a supporting element18comprising a curved saddle support19and a resilient cover20adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user. Supporting element16is provided with an internally threaded sleeve (not shown) mating with external threaded end portion9of the outer surface of outer tubular member11, to provide access to replace the compression spring24.

Supporting element18is further provided with a threaded socket25projecting into inner tubular member12. Depending from threaded socket25is curved member19which engages a user's body via resilient pad21. When fitted with alternative supporting element18device10may be operated between the two hands or between the hand and hip of a user, for example. Outer tubular member11is provided with an inwardly projecting retaining collar30at its open end22. Likewise, inner tubular member12is provided with an outwardly projecting collar31at its open end23, the collars30and31co operating to prevent the separation of inner tubular member12from outer tubular member11when the device10is assembled for use.

Compression spring24acts between the outer closed ends13and14of outer tubular member11and inner tubular member12respectively, so that the tubular members are naturally biased into a maximum extended state. Springs of various spring rates may be installed in the device substituted for spring24to provide different levels of user effort to force telescopic compression of inner tubular member12into outer tubular member11. Fastener27includes head28and terminates in threaded region29. Fastener can be used to secure the assembly at end14.

A preferred arrangement of outer tubular member11and inner tubular member12allows for a reciprocating telescopic movement of compression and extension of the order of 75 mm. An important feature of the operation of the device is that it should be adjusted to suit a user so that it is the rotational limitation of the user's arm as the forearm contacts the bicep rather than the limit of travel of the telescoping elements of the device which defines the limit of compression stroke when the device is in use. When fully extended and placed between the wrist and the shoulder the adjusted length of the device should allow an angle at the elbow of approximately 90 degrees.

FIG. 2is a partially cut away perspective view of an exercise device100according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, exercise device100has telescopically associated outer tubular member101and inner tubular member102closed at their outer ends by closure means103and104respectively.

Outer tubular member101is provided with an inwardly projecting retaining collar99at its open end105. Likewise, inner tubular member102is provided with an outwardly projecting collar98at its end106, the collars98and99adapted to prevent the separation of inner tubular member102from outer tubular member101when device100is assembled for use.

Closure103engages tubular member101via thread97and includes screw-on cap109which in turn is connected to a piston rod110ending in piston (obscured in screw cap109.) Screw-on cap109is formed with an extended threaded sleeve section to allow for a range of adjustment in the position of cap109at the outer end103of outer tubular member101. When the cap109is at a first engaged position, that is at its outermost location on outer tubular member101, inner and outer tubular members101and102are at their maximum extension as allowed by their respective collars98and99. Piston107is just located within the end105of inner tubular member102. A compression spring112is adapted to act between cap109of the outer tubular member101and the outwardly projecting collar98of the inner tubular member102so as to urge the tubular members101and102into a maximum extended position. In this embodiment the force exerted by spring112is only sufficient to return the tubular members to that maximum extended-position.

Piston107is adapted to slide within inner tubular member102and is provided with sealing means to allow for the compression of the air column between the piston107and the closed outer end104of inner tubular member102. Inner tubular member102is provided at its outer end104with flow restriction valve114. Valve114is pro vided with control means whereby the rate of flow of air through the valve may be varied, thereby varying the amount of force required to drive piston107towards the end104of inner tubular member102. The open end105of outer tubular member101may be provided with a slot (not shown) so as to accommodate flow restriction valve114when the device is driven to maximum compression.

Member113of inner tubular member102and support member117of cap109are provided with resilient pads115an116respectively. Optionally, cap109may be provided with a strap adapted to pass around the wrist of a user. As a further option, the device may be supplied with an interchangeable end pad in the form of a curved pad adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user.

FIG. 3is a partially cut away side view of an exercise device200according to a further embodiment. Exercise device200comprises a piston220and piston rod221telescopically sliding in tubular member222. Located inside tubular member222between a first end223of tubular member222an the piston220is a compression spring224so disposed as to provide an outwardly urging force to the piston220and piston rod221. First end223of tubular member222is provided with spring compression adjustment assembly225so as to vary the urging force of spring224on piston220and piston rod221. Spring compression adjustment means225comprises an adjustment knob226, threaded shaft227and adjustment piston228. Rotation of adjustment knob226causes axial displacement of adjustment piston228as threaded shaft227rotates in threaded bush229fixed in first tubular member end223, thereby modifying the installed length ‘L’ of compression spring224and the compression force required to urge piston rod221and piston220inwardly.

Attached towards first end223of tubular member222is shoulder yoke230adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user231as shown inFIG. 4. Similarly, at outer end232of piston rod221is wrist yoke233. Both shoulder yoke230and wrist yoke233are provided with resilient pads234for the comfort of the user231. In a preferred embodiment wrist yoke233is provided with securing strap235adapted to loop around the wrist of user231. Preferably securing strap235is provided with self securing surface means such as Velcrose strips so as to provide convenient variable adjustment of the strap around the wrist of a user.

In a further preferred embodiment the device is provided with adjustment means236so that the position of shoulder yoke230is adjustable between a first position adjacent to first end223of tubular member222and selectable positions237along a portion of the length of the tubular member. This enables the overall length ‘OL’ between the shoulder yoke and the wrist yoke to be varied to suit the preference and the size of a particular user and adapt the device to its intended range of movement, that is the pivotal movement of the forearm relative to the upper arm through an acute angle. By way of example, the adjustment means may consist of a length of adjusting rail238attached to the underside of tabular member222, the rail provided with a series of discreet holes239allowing the shoulder yoke to be secured at any selected hole position, for example by a detent pin. In use, the device is adjusted so as to define a distance ‘L’ between shoulder yoke230and wrist yoke233to suit a particular user. Distance ‘L’ should be such as to restrict the angle .alpha. where .alpha.=/<90.degree. at the elbow when the device is in a relaxed state. After adjusting the compression force of compression spring224positioning the device between shoulder and wrist, the user rotates the forearm so as to reduce the distance ‘L’ to approximately L/2 at the point where further rotation of the elbow is prevented by contact of the forearm with the bicep.

An exercise session then consists of a series of oscillating movements with the forearm between the relaxed state approximately defined by distance ‘L’ and the compressed state defined approximately by the distance ‘L/2’, or alternatively defined as rotation of the forearm relative to the upper arm between a first angle ‘α’ and second angle equal to or less than ‘α/2’.

Normally an inexperienced user will start an exercise regime with the compression of spring224set to its maximum installed length (thus at its minimum outwardly urging force), gradually increasing the compression as the musculature of the upper arm develops.

In a further preferred embodiment the should and wrist yokes are adapted to be detachable from the device to allow the yokes to be replaced by suitable handgrips. In this configuration the device may be used to exercise the shoulder muscles by grasping the device by the handgrips, one in each hand, and applying compressive force.

EXAMPLE

Electrodes were positioned over four muscles (biceps brachii, medial triceps brachii, petoralis major and latissimus dorsi) of one male subject to measure activation levels during use of the exercise device.Test A: The first task that was performed involved elbow flexion while the shoulder was flexed to maintain a horizontal position of the upper arm. In this position, while the device was held fin the hand and pressed down onto the shoulder, muscle activation of the biceps brachii was monitored.Test B: For the next task the subject positioned his arm by his side and adducted the shoulder against the resistance of the exercise device. The exercise device was held in the hand and squeezed against the thigh, muscle activation of the pectoralis major, triceps brachii (medial head) and latissimus dorsi were monitored during this task.Test C: The final task involved the horizontal adduction of the shoulder. Both arms were flexed and held in a horizontal position in front of the subject while the exercise device was pushed together between the hands. Muscle activation of the pectoralis major, triceps brachii (medial head) and latissimus dorsi were monitored in this test.

For all tests two static and two dynamic trials were performed and in each case the average activation of the two trials was calculated. First A was performed with a light and a heavy spring while only a light spring was used for Tests B and C.

Muscle activation levels were normalized to a percentage of the subject's isometric (static) maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) against an immobile load for 3 seconds. Normalization of the trial data involved dividing the average trial data by the MVC and then multiplying by 100 to produce a percentage of the MVC. In all tests the MVC was performed in the same position as the task, however for Test A an additional MVC was performed at 90° flexed elbow position to compare the test results with a common biceps brachii flexing exercise position.

RESULTS

Table 1 lists the muscle activation level results as a percentage of MVC for each test.

Table 1. Results for tests A, B and C. For test A the “standard” data indicated the comparison with the MVC taken in the same position as the test and “90°” represents the comparison with the MVC taken at 90° of flexion.

Overall, the results indicate that apart from the low activation level of the triceps brachii in Test C all muscles have shown a substantial level of activation in each test, see Table 1. In Test A (elbow flexion) the use of the light spring has shown a reasonable level of muscle activation. The use of the heavy spring has produced much greater activation, while performing dynamic activity has had a varied effect. During Test B (shoulder adduction), the latissimus dorsi has shown substantially greater activity than the other two muscles. The static trials have produced greater activation than the dynamic trials for Test B. In Test C, the pectoralis major has shown much greater activity than the latissimus dorsi and triceps. In this test, the differences between the static and dynamic results carried once again.

SUMMARY

During an elbow flexion exercise the spring loaded exercise device has show biceps brachii muscle activation that reaches and sometimes exceeds a level equivalent to a standard 90° flexed elbow position action. During shoulder adduction, activation of the latissimus dorsi was the dominant muscle activated, while during horizontal adduction activation of pectoralis major was dominant.

The above describes only some embodiments and uses of the present invention and modifications and adaptations, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.