PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE EXERCISE APPARATUS

A pelvic floor muscle exercise machine according to the present invention comprises: a waist belt fixed to a user's waist; a support belt fixed to the waist belt; and an insertion device provided on the support belt. The insertion device comprises: an insertion part inserted into and extracted from the user's vagina; a rod extending from the insertion portion, penetrated by the support belt so as to be slidable; and guiding the movement of the insertion part; and an elastic member supported by the rod, and providing elastic restoring force to the insertion part by elastically transforming in accordance with the relative movement of the insertion part with respect to the support belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine.

Background Art

The pelvic floor muscles consist of two layers of the perineum and the pelvic diaphragm. The pelvic floor muscles are a collection of muscles efficiently forming the pelvic floor, and they support the organs inside the lower portion of the pelvis, such as the bladder, the womb, the rectum, and the like. In addition, they play an important role in breathing, bowel movement, urination, and delivery.

As known methods for preventing and treating the perineal damage occurring by an unexpected accident or delivery, there are Kegel exercises and a Femcon therapy. The Kegel exercises are performed by lifting and holding and then relaxing the pubococcygeus muscle, and the Femcon therapy is performed by inserting a weight into the vagina to induce the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles.

Further, there are various methods for exercising the pelvic floor muscles, and perineum contraction as one of the methods helps the pelvic floor muscles exercised. Wearing a tight belt and/or abdominal pressure belt helps the pelvic floor muscles strengthened.

The pelvic floor muscles including the pubococcygeus muscle, the puborectalis, the iliococcygeus, and the like are portions that are not often used normally and anatomically hidden deeply inside the human body, and accordingly, it is hard to massage the portions by others. To exercise the pelvic floor muscles, therefore, the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles should be intentionally performed.

Since the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles are performed directly by a person who wants to exercise his or her pelvic floor muscles, the pelvic floor muscle exercises are forcedly or semi-forcedly done through an auxiliary machine, so that the efficiencies of the exercises are improved.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine that is configured to be used to contract and relax the muscles around the pelvis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine that is capable of allowing a user to do accurate and efficient exercises to thus prevent the user from being hurt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to the present invention, a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine may include a waist belt fixed to a user's waist; a support belt fixed to the waist belt; and an insertion device provided on the support belt, wherein the insertion device may include: insertion parts inserted into and escaping from the user's vagina; a rod extending from the insertion parts, slidably passing through the support belt, and guiding the movements of the insertion parts; and an elastic member supported by the rod and elastically deformed by the relative movements of the insertion parts with respect to the support belt to provide an elastic restoring force to the insertion parts.

The insertion device may further include a slot passing through the insertion parts and allowing the support belt to be located at the inside thereof, and the rod and the elastic member may be located inside the slot.

The insertion device may further include a guide holder disposed on the support belt, and the guide holder may include a rod guide adapted to insert the rod thereinto and guide the movement of the rod and an insertion part guide protruding radially from the outer peripheral surface of the rod guide, supporting the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion parts forming the slot, and guiding the movements of the insertion parts.

The rod may extend downward from the underside of the insertion parts, and the elastic member may be located on the opposite side to the insertion parts with respect to the support belt, while having top end fixed to the underside of the support belt and underside end fixed to the underside of the rod.

The pelvic floor muscle exercise machine may further include a mounting stand located under the support belt to support the support belt thereagainst, the mounting stand including a support plate grasped by the user or seated on an installation surface, a pulling strap pulled by the user and having one end fixed to the underside of the insertion parts, and a strap locker formed on the support plate to lock the pulling strap thereonto, whereby when the other end of the pulling strap is pulled by the user, the pulling strap pulls the insertion parts downward.

The pelvic floor muscle exercise machine may further include an elastic ring configured to allow the other end of the pulling strap to be fixed to top thereof, while allowing the left and right sides thereof to be pressurized against the user's thighs, whereby when the elastic ring is elastically deformed by the user, the other end of the pulling strap is pulled so that the pulling strap pulls the insertion parts downward.

The pelvic floor muscle exercise machine may further include an abdominal pressure belt adapted to surround the user's abdomen and waist and thus raise the user's abdominal pressure.

Advantageous Effectiveness

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the user pushes or pulls the insertion parts inserted into the vagina to the outside or inside of the vagina, thereby performing the pelvic floor muscle exercises.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, if the user rightly relaxes and contracts the pelvic floor muscles, the insertion parts inserted into the vagina move, and the movements of the insertion parts are checked by the visual and haptic senses of the user, thereby making the user check whether right muscles are used for herself.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, after the exercise is done, the insertion parts are automatically returned to the position at which the exercise starts by means of the elastic force of the elastic member, thereby easily repeating the pelvic floor muscle exercises.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the elastic force allowing the insertion parts to be returned to their original position is generated from the elastic member for elastically supporting the insertion parts, and the elastic force is provided as the load required for the pelvic floor muscle exercise.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the elastic member is prevented from coming into direct contact with the user's body, thereby avoiding the user from being hurt.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the abdominal pressure belt is provided to raise the user's abdominal pressure, thereby improving the effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscle exercises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms replacing the embodiments and drawings of the present invention at the time point when the present invention is filed.

The corresponding parts or components in the embodiments of the present invention are indicated by corresponding reference numerals or symbols. The thicknesses of the shapes or the sizes of the components shown in the drawing may be magnified for the clarity and convenience of the description.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The term ‘a’ or ‘an’, as used herein, are defining as one or more than one. The term ‘including’ and/or ‘having’, as used herein are intended to refer to the above features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations, and it is to be understood that the terms are not intended to preclude the presence of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations and added possibilities.

Terms, such as the first, and the second, may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be restricted by the terms. The terms are used to only distinguish one element from the other element. For example, a first element may be named a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, a second element may be named a first element. A term ‘and/or’ includes a combination of a plurality of relevant and described items or any one of a plurality of related and described items.

Terms as used herein, such as ‘top’, ‘bottom’, ‘upper’, and ‘lower’ are defined with respect to the drawings, and accordingly, the shapes and positions of the components are not limited by the terms.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2is a perspective view showing a state in which an abdominal pressure belt is additionally provided for the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.1.FIG.3is an exemplary view showing a state in which the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.1is inserted into a user's vagina.FIG.4is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ ofFIG.1.FIG.5is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ ofFIG.1.FIG.6is a bottom view showing an upper insertion part of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.1.FIG.7is a top view showing a lower insertion part of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.1.FIG.8is an exploded perspective view showing a guide holder of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIGS.1to8, a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine1includes straps10,20, and30worn on a user's body and an insertion device100configured to be inserted into the user's body.

As the straps10,20, and30are worn on the user's body, the insertion device100comes into close contact with her body or is separated from her body by a given distance.

In specific, the straps10and20include the waist belt10fixed to the user's waist and the support belt20whose both ends are fixed to the waist belt10to mount the insertion device100thereon. The support belt20passes through the user's groin.

The straps30include the fastening straps30for coupling the waist belt10and the support belt20to each other. The waist belt10and the support belt20have rectangular sectional shapes. The waist belt10and the support belt20are made of synthetic fibers, cotton, leather, or the like.

The waist belt10has a plurality of fastening holes11formed on the front and rear surfaces thereof, and the support belt20has a plurality of fixing holes21formed on the front and rear ends thereof. Any one of the plurality of fastening holes11and any one of the plurality of fixing holes21corresponding to one fastening hole11are overlaid on top of each other to pass each fastening strap30therethrough. The fastening strap30passing through the fastening hole11and the fixing hole21overlaid on top of each other passes through other fastening holes11and/or fixing holes21adjacent thereto, and in this state, a knot of the fastening strap30is tied so that the fastening strap30can couple the waist belt10and the support belt20to each other.

As the fastening hole11and the fixing hole21passing through each fastening strap30are changed in position, the support belt20is adjustable in length.

However, the adjustment is not limited thereto. For example, each fastening strap may include at least one length adjusting member, such as, a tightening thread, a cord lock, a buckle, and the like, that is mounted on the support belt20and/or the waist belt10to adjust the length of the support belt20and/or the waist belt10.

However, the adjustment is not limited thereto. As shown inFIG.2, the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine1further includes an abdominal pressure belt10′ (or an abdominal belt). The abdominal pressure belt10′ is provided separately from the waist belt10so that it can be additionally worn on the user's waist in a state where the waist belt10is worn, and otherwise, the waist belt10is replaced with the abdominal pressure belt10′. The fastening holes11are formed on the abdominal pressure belt10′, and if the waist belt10is replaced with the abdominal pressure belt10′, the support belt20is fixed to the abdominal pressure belt10′ through the fastening straps30.

The abdominal pressure belt10′ has a sleeve open in upward and downward directions. The abdominal pressure belt10′ is adapted to surround the user's abdomen and waist. The abdominal pressure belt10′ is made of a material with excellent elasticity. The abdominal pressure belt10′ is made of at least one material selected from nylon, polyester, polyurethane, and cotton. However, the material is not limited thereto, and the abdominal pressure belt10′ may be made of other fabrics with elasticity. In a state where the abdominal pressure belt10′ is worn on the user's body, the user does her pelvic floor muscle exercises, and as the abdominal pressure increases by the abdominal pressure belt10′, the efficiencies of the pelvic floor muscle exercises are improved.

The insertion device100includes insertion parts101and102inserted into the user's vagina, a rod111fixed to the insertion parts101and102and thus extending in upward and downward directions, an elastic member106supported by the rod111and adapted to elastically support the insertion parts101and102thereagainst, and a guide holder120disposed on the support belt20, passing through the support belt20, and slidably inserting the rod111thereinto.

The insertion parts101and102provide the outer shape of the insertion device100. The insertion parts101and102have the horizontal sectional shapes of circles and the vertical sectional shapes of ovals. However, the shapes of the insertion parts101and102are not limited thereto, and for example, the insertion parts101and102may have egg or gourd-like outer shapes. The insertion parts101and102have a plurality of protrusions protruding from the outer surfaces thereof.

The insertion parts101and102include the upper insertion part101located on the upper portion of the insertion device100and the lower insertion part102located on the lower portion thereof. The lower insertion part102is positioned on the underside of the upper insertion part101. The length of the upper insertion part101in upward and downward directions is longer than that of the lower insertion part102. In specific, the length of the upper insertion part101in upward and downward directions is longer by about 3 times than that of the lower insertion part102.

The upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102are separably coupled to each other. In specific, the upper insertion part101has a male screw107formed on the bottom end thereof, and the lower insertion part102has a female screw108formed on the top end thereof correspondingly to the male screw107, so that as the male screw107is coupled to the female screw108, the upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102are separably coupled to each other.

However, the coupling way is not limited thereto. For example, the upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102are formed unitarily with each other. For another example, the male screw107is formed on the lower end periphery of the rod111formed unitarily with the upper insertion part101, and the female screw108is formed on the inner bottom surface of the lower insertion part102as the bottom of a slot103correspondingly to the lower end periphery of the rod111.

The insertion device100further includes the slot103penetrating the insertion parts101and102to allow the support belt20to be located therein. In specific, the slot103is the space formed surroundingly by the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion parts101and102.

When the insertion device100is viewed in forward and backward directions, the slot103is located on the centers of the insertion portions101and102and extends in upward and downward directions. When the insertion device100is viewed in left and right directions, the slot103passes through the insertion portions101and102in forward and backward directions.

The support belt20passes through the slot103in the forward and backward directions, and accordingly, the support belt20moves along the slot103inside the slot103in the upward and downward directions. That is, if it is assumed that the support belt20is fixed, the insertion parts101and102move in the upward and downward directions with respect to the support belt20, and the slot103limits the range of the upward and downward movements of the insertion parts101and102.

The rod111and the elastic member106are located inside the slot103and extend from the insertion parts101and102. That is, the rod111and the elastic member106are located inside the insertion parts101and102. Like this, as the rod111and the elastic member106are located inside the slot103, they as the components having motions are prevented from coming into direct contact with the user's body, thereby avoiding the user from being hurt.

Top and underside of the rod111are fixed to the insertion parts101and102. The top of the rod111is fixed to top surface of the slot103(or the upper insertion part101), and the underside of the rod111is fixed to the bottom surface of the slot103(or the lower insertion part102). The rod111extends in upward and downward directions. The rod111is provided separately from the insertion parts101and102and thus fixed to the insertion parts101and102, and otherwise, the rod111is provided unitarily with the insertion parts101and102.

The rod111includes a first rod part104whose top is connected (or fixed) to the upper insertion part101and extends downward and a second rod part105whose underside is connected (or fixed) to the lower insertion part102and extends upward. The first and second rod parts104and105have circular sectional shapes.

As the upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102are coupled to each other, the underside of the first rod part104is coupled to the top of the second rod part105, and the first rod part104and the second rod part105are provided as one rod111. The central axis of the first rod part104corresponds to that of the second rod part105.

As the upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102are separated from each other, the rod111is divided into the first rod part104and the second rod part105, and accordingly, the first rod part104and the second rod part105are separated from each other.

However, the coupling and separation are not limited thereto. The first rod part104and the second rod part105are formed unitarily with each other. In specific, the first and second rod parts104and105formed unitarily with each other are represented as the rod111, and top of the rod111is fixed to the upper insertion part101. The top of the rod111is formed unitarily with the upper insertion part101and connected to the upper insertion part101. The underside of the rod111is separably coupled to the lower insertion part102. In this case, the male screw107is formed on the underside of the rod111, and the female screw108is formed on the inner bottom surface of the lower insertion part102, so that the rod111is coupled to the lower insertion part102to allow the upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102to be separably coupled to each other.

The rod111is adapted to allow the support belt20to slidably pass therethrough. Accordingly, when the insertion parts101and102move in the upward and downward directions, the rod111moves in the upward and downward directions, together with the insertion parts101and102. The rod111guides the movements of the insertion parts101and102to allow the upward and downward movements of the insertion parts101and102to be performed stably.

Top of the rod111(the first rod part104) is located above the support belt20, and underside of the rod111(the second rod part105) is located under the support belt20.

The rod111supports the elastic member106. In specific, the elastic member106is a coil spring extending in upward and downward directions along the rod111, and the rod111passes through the coil spring in the upward and downward directions. The rod111prevents the elastic member106from being buckled. The coil spring may be a compression spring. The coil spring may be a spring to which both of compression and extension are applied.

The elastic member106is disposed inside the slot103, while surrounding the rod111, and elastically supports the insertion parts101and102. The elastic member106is disposed above the support belt20. The underside of the elastic member106is fixed to one surface (e.g., top) of the support belt20.

The guide holder120is disposed on the support belt20and inserts the rod111thereinto.

The guide holder120includes a rod guide121passing through the support belt20and having an insertion hole121aadapted to insert the rod111thereinto, an insertion part guide122protruding radially from the outer peripheral surface of the rod guide121, and a fastening member124for fixing the guide holder120to the support belt20.

The rod guide121has the shape of a cylinder extending in upward and downward directions, and the hollow portion formed at the center thereof is the insertion hole121a. The rod guide121serves to guide the upward and downward sliding movements of the rod111inserted into the insertion hole121a. Further, the rod guide121and the insertion hole121aare formed slantly with respect to the support belt20. For example, the tops of the rod guide121and the insertion hole121aare slant backward and thus have an angle of about 700 with respect to the support belt20. In this case, as the rod111is slidably inserted into the insertion hole121a, the rod111has an angle of about 70° with respect to the support belt20. However, the slant angle is not limited thereto, and accordingly, the rod guide121, the insertion hole121a, and the rod111may have another angle with respect to the support belt20.

The insertion part guide122supportingly comes into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion parts101and102forming the slot103and thus serves to guide relative movements of the insertion parts101and102with respect to the support belt20. When the insertion parts101and102reciprocate in the upward and downward directions with respect to the support belt20, they move stably by means of the insertion part guide122, while not swinging in left and right directions.

The fastening member124is separably coupled to the rod guide121. In specific, the rod guide121has a crest123formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion thereof, and the fastening member124has a root formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof correspondingly to the crest123, so that the rod guide121and the fastening member124are coupled to each other by means of the coupling between the crest123and the root. The fastening member124may include a nut.

When the guide holder120passes through the support belt20from top to bottom, the insertion guide part122is located above the support belt20, and the crest123formed on the lower end periphery of the rod guide121is located under the support belt20. In this state, the fastening member124is coupled to the crest123to allow the guide holder120to be fixed to the support belt20.

The insertion part guide122is located on one surface (e.g., top) of the support belt20to prevent the guide holder120from passing through the support belt20and thus escaping downward from the support belt20, and the fastening member124is located on the other surface (e.g., underside) of the support belt20to prevent the guide holder120from passing through the support belt20and thus escaping upward from the support belt20. Further, the lower end periphery of the elastic member106is fixed to the guide holder120(e.g., the rod guide121and/or the insertion part guide122).

The insertion device100further includes buffering members110adapted to prevent the user's skin from being caught between the slot103and the sides of the support belt20and thus getting hurt when the insertion parts101and102move relative to the support belt20.

Each buffering member110is made of a material, such as rubber, synthetic resin, silicone, latex, and the like. The buffering member110has the shape of a general cylinder extending along the support belt20and is thus fixed to the support belt20. The support belt20is inserted into the buffering members110and thus located around the central axes of the buffering members110. However, the buffering members110may not be limited thereby, and for example, only if they have given shapes and sizes so that they are completely discharged from the user's vagina when the insertion parts101and102are located at a discharge position P2, they may be freely adopted.

One pair of buffering members110is provided. The buffering members110are located behind and in front of the insertion parts101and102. The pair of buffering members110is disposed close to the slot103.

Further, the insertion device100includes an electrical simulation part. The electrical simulation part includes an electrode, a battery for supplying power to the electrode, and a processor for controlling a period and intensity of electrical simulation generated from the electrode. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The electrode may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of one side insertion part101or102(e.g., the upper insertion part101). The battery and the processor are fixed to the underside of the support belt20or the waist belt10. The electrode, the battery, and the processor are electrically connected to one another by means of an electric wire.

The electrode of the electrical simulation part applies the electrical simulation to the muscle of the user with the insertion device100inserted into her vagina. For example, the electrical simulation part applies the electrical simulation to the user's pubococcygeus muscle. As the electrical simulation part applies the electrical simulation to the user's pubococcygeus muscle, it helps the user sense an accurate exercise region, thereby making it possible to perform her muscle exercises accurately and efficiently. However, the electrical simulation part may not be limited thereby, and for example, it may apply the electrical simulation to other muscles, not to the pubococcygeus muscle.

Further, the insertion device100includes a vibration simulation part. The vibration simulation part includes a vibration motor, a battery for supplying power to the vibration motor, and a processor for controlling a period and intensity of vibration simulation generated from the vibration motor. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. If the insertion device100includes both of the electrical simulation part and the vibration simulation part, one processor may control both of the electrode and the vibration motor, and one battery may supply power to both of the electrode and the vibration motor. The vibration motor may be mounted on the insertion part101or102. For example, the upper insertion part101has a space formed therein, and the vibration motor is mounted in the internal space of the upper insertion part101. For another example, the vibration motor may be mounted in the slot103. The battery and the processor are fixed to the underside of the support belt20or the waist belt10. The vibration motor, the battery, and the processor are electrically connected to one another by means of an electric wire. The vibration motor may be vibrated in at least one direction of forward and backward directions, left and right directions, and upward and downward directions.

The vibration simulation part applies the vibration simulation to the muscle of the user with the insertion device100inserted into her vagina. For example, the vibration simulation part vibrates the insertion parts101and102to apply the vibration simulation to the user's pubococcygeus muscle. Accordingly, the user performs massages for the pubococcygeus muscle by using the vibrations of the vibration simulation part. However, the vibration simulation part may not be limited thereby, and for example, it may apply the vibration simulation to other muscles, not to the pubococcygeus muscle.

Hereinafter, an operation of the insertion device100will be explained in detail with reference toFIG.5.

The insertion device100reciprocates between an insertion position P1at which a portion (e.g., the upper insertion part101) of the insertion parts101and102is inserted into the user's vagina and the discharge position P2at which the entire portion of the insertion parts101and102is discharged from the vagina.

At the insertion position P1, most of the insertion parts101and102are located above the support belt20, and at the discharge position P2, most of the insertion parts101and102are located under the support belt20.

The elastic member106is located on top of the support belt20and elastically supports the insertion parts101and102so that the insertion parts101and102are located at the insertion position P1. In specific, the elastic member106is disposed between the inner top surface of the upper insertion part101forming top of the slot103and the support belt20and elastically supports the insertion part101or102(e.g., the upper insertion part101), so that the insertion parts101and102are located at the insertion position P1.

At the insertion position P1, the elastic member106is somewhat compressed or in a state having a free length.

As the insertion parts101and102inserted into the vagina are pushed outward from the vagina through the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, the user performs the pelvic floor muscle exercise. Like this, the insertion parts101and102are discharged from the vagina. That is, the insertion parts101and102move to the discharge position P2.

While the insertion parts101and102move from the insertion position P1to the discharge position P2, they move downward with respect to the support belt20in a state where the support belt20is tightly pulled and does not move at all, and accordingly, top of the elastic member106is pressurized downward by means of the insertion parts101and102(e.g., the inner top surface of the upper insertion part101), so that the elastic member106becomes more deformedly compressed.

The elastic force (or “elastic restoring force”) generated from the deformedly compressed elastic member106is applied to the insertion parts101and102reaching the discharge position P2in an upward direction. That is, the elastic force is applied to a direction restoring to the insertion position P1. By means of the elastic force of the elastic member106, accordingly, the insertion parts101and102are automatically restored to the insertion position P1from the discharge position P2. The user automatically pushes the insertion parts101and102inserted into the vagina again, thereby easily repeating the pelvic floor muscle exercises.

While the insertion parts101and102inserted into the vagina are being pushed, further, the elastic force of the elastic member106may act as a load. As a degree of a force pushing the insertion parts101and102to the outside of the vagina is adjusted, the load of the elastic member106is appropriately adjusted according to the user's ability. While the pelvic floor muscle exercises are being performed, for example, a beginner can move the insertion parts101and102within the vagina, and an expert can completely push the insertion parts101and102to the outside of the vagina.

FIG.9is a sectional view showing another arrangement example of the elastic member of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.1.

Hereinafter, an explanation of the operation of the insertion device100having another arrangement of the elastic member106will be given in detail with reference toFIG.9.

The elastic member106is located on the underside of the support belt20. Top of the elastic member106is disposed on or fixed to the underside of the support belt20. The underside of the elastic member106is disposed on or fixed to the inner bottom surface of the lower insertion part102forming the bottom of the slot103.

The elastic member106elastically supports the insertion parts101and102so that the insertion parts101and102are located at the discharge position P2. In specific, the elastic member106is disposed between the inner bottom surface of the lower insertion part102forming the bottom of the slot103and the support belt20and elastically supports the insertion part101or102(e.g., the lower insertion part102), so that the insertion parts101and102are located at the discharge position P2.

At the discharge position P2, the elastic member106is somewhat compressed or in a state having a free length.

The user pushes the insertion parts101and102upward and thus locates them at the insertion position P1, so that the insertion parts101and102are inserted into the user's vagina.

While the insertion parts101and102are moving from the discharge position P2to the insertion position P1, they move upward with respect to the support belt20in a state where the support belt20is tightly pulled and does not move at all, and accordingly, underside of the elastic member106is pressurized upward by means of the insertion parts101and102(e.g., the inner bottom surface of the lower insertion part102,) so that the elastic member106becomes more deformedly compressed.

The elastic force generated from the deformedly compressed elastic member106is applied to the insertion parts101and102reaching the insertion position P1in a downward direction. That is, the elastic force is applied to a direction restoring to the discharge position P2. By means of the elastic force of the elastic member106, accordingly, the insertion parts101and102are automatically restored to the discharge position P2from the insertion position P1. The user contracts the pelvic floor muscles to pull the insertion parts101and102discharged from the vagina to the inside of the vagina, thereby performing the pelvic floor muscle exercise. Further, the elastic force of the elastic member106may act as a load required for the exercise.

As shown inFIGS.5and9, the upper insertion part101and the lower insertion part102are separated from each other so that the user can change the arrangement of the elastic member106inside the slot103. As a result, the elastic member106is disposed selectively on top or underside of the support belt20, and the elastic force (or load) applied to the insertion parts101and102is changed in direction by means of the elastic member106.

However, the arrangement of the elastic member106may not be limited thereby. One end of the elastic member106is fixed to the insertion part101or102(e.g., the inner top surface of the upper insertion part101or the inner bottom surface of the lower insertion part102), and the other end of the elastic member106is fixed to the guide holder120. When the elastic member106is in a state having a free length, the insertion parts101and102are located between the insertion position P1and the discharge position P2. As a result, the elastic member106deformedly compressed when the user pushes the insertion parts101and102inserted into the vagina to the outside of the vagina applies the elastic force to the insertion parts101and102in the upward direction, and the elastic member106deformedly extending when the user pulls the insertion parts101and102to the inside of the vagina deeply applies the elastic force to the insertion parts101and102in the downward direction. That is, the elastic member106applies the elastic force to the insertion parts101and102in the opposite direction to the direction of moving the insertion parts101and102through the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, thereby providing the loads required for the pelvic floor muscle exercises bi-directionally (in the upward and downward directions).

FIG.10is a perspective view showing a pelvic floor muscle exercise machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG.11is a sectional view showing a portion of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.10. When the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine as shown inFIGS.10and11are compared with that as shown inFIG.1, some parts of an insertion device are different from the parts of the insertion device100, and unless specially described, the explanation of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine as shown inFIG.1is given to the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine as shown inFIGS.10and11.

Referring toFIGS.10and11, the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine includes straps10,20, and30and an insertion device200disposed on the straps10,20, and30.

The insertion device200includes an insertion part201inserted into the user's vagina, rods211and212fixed to the insertion part201and extending in upward and downward directions, an elastic member106supported by the rods211and212and adapted to elastically support the insertion part201thereagainst, and a guide holder220disposed on the support belt20, passing through the support belt20, and slidably inserting the rods211and212thereinto.

The insertion part201provides a general egg-like shape, but it may have free shapes such as a gourd shape, without being not limited thereto.

The rods211and212extend downward from the underside of the insertion part201, and the rod211slidably passes through the support belt20.

The rods211and212include the rod part211extending in upward and downward directions and having top end fixed to the insertion part201and the fixing part212coupled to the lower end periphery of the rod part211and having a fixing groove212aadapted to fixedly insert the elastic member106thereinto. The insertion part201is located above the support belt20, the fixing part212is located under the support belt20, and the rod part211connects the insertion part201and the fixing part212to each other.

The rods211and212support the elastic member106. In specific, the elastic member106is a coil spring extending in upward and downward directions, and the rod part211passes through the coil spring in upward and downward directions. The rods211and212prevent the elastic member106from being buckled. The coil spring may be a compression spring or an extension spring. The coil spring may be a spring to which both of compression and extension are applied.

To prevent the elastic member106from coming direct contact with the user's body and thus causing the user's body to be hurt, the elastic member106is located under the support belt20. Top of the elastic member106is fixed to the underside of the support belt20, and underside thereof is fixedly inserted into the fixing groove212aof the fixing part212.

The guide holder220is disposed on the support belt20and inserts the rods211and212(e.g., the rod part211).

The guide holder220includes a rod guide221passing through the support belt20and having an insertion hole221aadapted to insert the rod part211thereinto, an elastic member fixer222protruding radially from the outer peripheral surface of the rod guide221, and a fastening member224for fixing the guide holder220to the support belt20.

The rod guide221has the shape of a cylinder extending in upward and downward directions, and the hollow portion formed at the center thereof is the insertion hole221a. The rod guide221serves to guide the upward and downward sliding movements of the rods211and212inserted into the insertion hole221a.

The elastic member fixer222serves to fix the underside of the support belt20and top of the elastic member106, together. Top of the elastic member106is fixedly inserted into a gap formed between the elastic member fixer222and the underside of the support belt20.

The fastening member224is coupled to a crest223formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the rod guide221. The elastic member fixer222serves to prevent the guide holder220from pulling and escaping upward from the support belt20, and the fastening member224serves to prevent the guide holder220from pulling and escaping downward from the support belt20.

The insertion device200reciprocates between an insertion position P1at which at least a portion of the insertion part201is inserted into the user's vagina and a discharge position P2at which the entire insertion part201is discharged from the vagina. The insertion position P1is higher than the discharge position P2.

The insertion part201is at the discharge position P2when an external force is not applied to the elastic member106, that is, when the elastic member106has a free length. The elastic member106satisfying such a condition is represented as a first elastic member.

The user pushes the insertion part201upward to allow the insertion part201to be at the insertion position P1, so that the insertion part201is inserted into the vagina.

While the insertion part201is moving from the discharge position P2to the insertion position P1, the insertion part201and the rods211and212move upward with respect to the support belt20in a state where the support belt20is tightly pulled and does not move at all, and accordingly, underside of the elastic member106is pressurized upward by means of the fixing part212, so that the elastic member106becomes more deformedly compressed.

The elastic force generated from the deformedly compressed elastic member106is applied to the insertion part201reaching the insertion position P1through the rods211and212. By means of the elastic force of the elastic member106, accordingly, the insertion part201is automatically restored to the insertion position P1from the discharge position P2. The user contracts the pelvis floor muscles and thus pulls the insertion part201discharged from the vagina to the inside of the vagina again, thereby performing the pelvic floor muscle exercise. Further, the elastic force of the elastic member106may act as a load required for the exercise.

However, the insertion part201may not be limited by the above-mentioned embodiment. The insertion part201is at the insertion position P1when an external force is not applied to the elastic member106, that is, when the elastic member106has a free length. The elastic member106satisfying such a condition is represented as a second elastic member.

The user relaxes the pelvis floor muscles and thus pushes the insertion part201inserted into the vagina to the outside of the vagina, thereby performing the pelvic floor muscle exercise. While the insertion part201is moving to the discharge position P2from the insertion position P1, the insertion part201and the rods211and212move downward with respect to the support belt20in a state where the support belt20is tightly pulled and does not move at all, and accordingly, underside of the elastic member106is pulled downward by means of the fixing part212moving downward, so that the elastic member106becomes more deformedly compressed.

The elastic force generated from the deformedly compressed elastic member106is applied to the insertion part201reaching the discharge position P2through the rods211and212. By means of the elastic force of the elastic member106, accordingly, the insertion part201is automatically returned to the insertion position P1from the discharge position P2. The user automatically pushes the insertion part201inserted into the vagina again, thereby easily repeating the pelvic floor muscle exercise.

While the insertion part201inserted into the vagina is being pushed, further, the elastic force of the elastic member106may act as a load. As a degree of a force pushing the insertion part201to the outside of the vagina is adjusted, the load of the elastic member106is appropriately adjusted according to the user's ability. While the pelvic floor muscle exercises are being performed, for example, a beginner can move the insertion part201within the vagina, and an expert can completely push the insertion part201to the outside of the vagina.

The elastic member106may include both of the first elastic member and the second elastic member, and the fixing part212is separated from the elastic member106and thus demounted from the insertion device200. Any one of the first elastic member and the second elastic member is selected and thus mounted on the insertion device200, and the elastic force (or load) of the elastic member106may be changed in direction. The first elastic member and the second elastic member are changeable with each other.

However, the insertion part201may not be limited by the above-mentioned embodiment. The insertion part201is between the insertion position P1and the discharge position P2when the elastic member106has a free length. Accordingly, the elastic member106deformedly compressed when the user pushes the insertion part201inserted into the vagina to the outside of the vagina applies the elastic force to the insertion part201in the upward direction, and the elastic member106deformedly extending when the user pulls the insertion part201to the inside of the vagina deeply applies the elastic force to the insertion part201in the downward direction. That is, the elastic member106applies the elastic force to the insertion part201in the opposite direction to the direction of moving the insertion part201through the contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, thereby providing the loads required for the pelvic floor muscle exercise bi-directionally (in the upward and downward directions).

FIG.12is a perspective view showing a mounting stand for the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine according to the embodiments of the present invention. An explanation of the parts repeated with those as mentioned above will be omitted.

Referring toFIG.12, the pelvic floor muscle exercise machines as shown inFIGS.1and/or10further include a mounting stand300. Hereinafter, the mounting stand300mounted on the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine1as shown inFIG.1will be explained. Of course, the same explanation will be applied to the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine as shown inFIG.10.

The mounting stand300includes a support plate301grasped by the user or seated on an installation surface (e.g., indoor floor, a chair seat, and the like), a first mounting piece303extending upward from the front end of the support plate301, a second mounting piece302extending upward from the rear end of the support plate301, and an operating space300aformed above the support plate301to locate the insertion device100therein. The support plate301is fixed to the installation surface by means of an adhesive, a screw, a clamp, etc.

The operating space300ais the space surrounded by the first and second mounting pieces303and302and the support plate301, and when the insertion device100or200is discharged from the vagina (at the discharge position P2), the insertion device100or200(e.g., the insertion parts101and102or the insertion part201) and/or the rod111or the rods211and212are exposed or located in the operating space300a.

The first mounting piece303has a first mounting groove305adapted to insert a portion of the support belt20located in front of the insertion device100or200, and the second mounting piece302has a second mounting groove304adapted to insert a portion of the support belt20located behind the insertion device100or200. The first mounting groove305is formed on top of the first mounting piece303, and the second mounting groove304on top of the second mounting piece302. The support belt20is separably coupled to the first mounting groove305and the second mounting groove304.

Each mounting groove304or305includes a bottleneck portion304aopen upward and an accommodation portion304bcommunicating with the bottleneck portion304aunder the bottleneck portion304ato accommodate the support belt20thereinto.

The bottleneck portion304ais the inlet of the mounting groove304or405. The support belt20twistingly passes through the bottleneck portion304a, and after it has been accommodated in the accommodation portion304b, it is restored to its original shape. The width of the bottleneck portion304ain left and right directions is smaller than that of the support belt20in left and right directions, and accordingly, even if the support belt20slidingly moves in forward and backward directions in the state of being accommodated into the accommodation portion304b, the support belt20is prevented from unintentionally escaping from the mounting groove304or305. However, the shapes of the mounting grooves304and305may not be limited thereto, and only if the mounting grooves serve to supportedly or fixedly seat the support belt20thereonto, they may be freely shaped.

After the mounting stand300has been coupled to the support belt20, the mounting stand300ensures the operating space300ain which the insertion device100moves in upward and downward directions. For example, if the user who wears the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine1sits on a chair, without having any mounting stand300, the space in which the insertion parts101and102move downward does not exist, thereby making it impossible to perform the pelvic floor muscle exercises. However, if the mounting stand300is used, the operating space300ais ensured above the support plate301mounted on the seat of the chair, and accordingly, the user performs the pelvic floor muscle exercises, while sitting on the chair.

Further, after the user holds the support plate301by her hands or fixes the support plate301to the chair, the user performs the pelvic floor muscle exercises, while moving her waist in forward and backward directions. In this case, the mounting grooves304and305stably guide the forward and backward sliding movements of the support belt20.

The mounting stand further includes a pulling strap310having one end fixed to the underside of the insertion parts101and102and a strap locker320formed on the support plate301to lock the pulling strap310thereonto.

The strap locker320has an incised portion321formed incisedly at a given area on top of the support plate301and a support bar322disposed on top of the incised portion321.

The pulling strap310extends downward in a state where one end is fixed to a fastening loop112located on the underside of the insertion parts101and102, and the other end of the pulling strap310is inserted into the incised portion321, surroundingly turns the support bar322, and finally escapes in the opposite direction to the inserted direction.

The other end of the pulling strap310is pulled by the user's hand, and accordingly, the insertion parts101and102are pulled downward by the user. That is, the support bar322serves as a kind of a fixing pulley, and accordingly, the support bar322changes a direction of a force locked onto the pulling strap310by the user.

The user contracts the pelvic floor muscles to pull the insertion parts101and102escaping from the vagina to the inside of the vagina, thereby performing the pelvic floor muscle exercise, and in this case, the user directly pulls the insertion parts101and102downward by means of the use of the pulling strap310, thereby increasing the load required for the exercise.

Further, the user moves her waist in a state where the free end of the pulling strap310is fixedly tied on an external object (e.g., an indoor post, her ankle, and the like), thereby autonomously and continuously increasing or decreasing the load required for the exercise. Moreover, after the elastic member106is removed from the insertion device100, the user can perform the pelvic floor muscle exercises only with the force of pulling the pulling strap310as the load required for the exercise.

FIG.13is a perspective view showing a state in which an elastic ring is additionally provided for the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine ofFIG.12.FIG.14is a side view showing a use state of the elastic ring ofFIG.13.FIG.14ashows a state in which the elastic ring is not elastically deformed, andFIG.14bshows a state in which the elastic ring is elastically deformed by the user. The pelvic floor muscle exercise machine as shown inFIGS.13to14includes all of parts of the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine as shown inFIG.12. Explanations of repeated parts will be omitted.

As shown inFIGS.13and14, the pelvic floor muscle exercise machine further includes an elastic ring400pressurized by the user's thighs.

The elastic ring400has the shape of a loop. The elastic ring400is made of an elastically deformable material. For example, the elastic ring400is made of a material having excellent elasticity, such as plastic, metal, rubber, silicone, and the like. However, the material of the elastic ring400may be freely selected, without being limited thereto.

One end of the pulling strap310is fixed to one end (e.g., top) of the elastic ring400. In specific, in a state where the pulling strap310is locked onto the strap locker320, one end is fixed to the elastic ring400and the other end to the fastening loop112of the insertion parts101and102. The elastic ring400has a guide hole401formed on the other end (e.g., underside) thereof to pass the pulling strap310therethrough so that the pulling strap310extends up to one end thereof. The guide hole401slides along the pulling strap310when the elastic ring400is elastically deformed and thus guides the movements of the pulling strap310. However, the elastic ring400may not be limited by the above-mentioned embodiment, and the guide hole401may not be provided.

The first mounting piece303has a through hole formed thereon to pass the pulling strap310therethrough so that the pulling strap310extends in a direction in front of the user. Of course, the through hole may be formed on the support plate301. However, the through hole may not be provided, without being limited thereto, and accordingly, the pulling strap310passes through the side space of the first mounting piece303and extends forwardly.

The elastic ring400is located between the user's thighs. The user holds the elastic ring400by her thighs to prevent the elastic ring400from escaping from the thighs.

The user applies a force to the thighs in a direction of closing the thighs to elastically deform the elastic ring400. In this case, the elastic ring400having the shape of the circular loop before pressurized by the user is elastically deformed to the shape of a gourd so that the left and right sides thereof are depressed inwardly by the user's thighs. However, the deformed shape may not be limited thereto. For example, the elastic ring400having the shape of the circular loop before pressurized by the user may be elastically deformed to the shape of an oval so that the left and right sides thereof are pressurized to cause a long axis to extend in upward and downward directions, while causing a short axis to extend in left and right directions.

When the elastic ring400is elastically deformed by the user, one end of the elastic ring400to which the pulling strap310is fixed is changed in position. In specific, top of the elastic ring400to which the pulling strap is fixed moves upward.

As one end (e.g., top) of the elastic ring400to which the pulling strap310is fixed moves, the pulling strap310is pulled. When one end of the pulling strap310is pulled upward by the movement of the elastic ring400, the pulling strap310pulls the insertion parts101and102downward. That is, the pulling strap310is pulled by the user through the elastic ring400.

The user contracts the pelvic floor muscles to pull the insertion parts101and102discharged from the vagina to the inside of the vagina, thereby performing the pelvic floor muscle exercise.

Further, if the user removes the force applied to the thighs to thus open the thighs, the elastic ring400is elastically restored to its original circular shape, and simultaneously, the insertion parts101and102are restored to the insertion position.

Like this, the insertion device100and the elastic ring400are used together, so that the user performs the exercises for the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and for the contraction of hip muscles (e.g., internal obturator muscle, external obturator muscle, and the like), gluteal muscles (e.g., gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae muscle, and the like), and adductor (e.g., pectineus muscle, adductor minimus muscle, adductor brevis muscle, adductor magnus muscle, gracilis muscle, and the like), thereby improving the effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscle exercises and achieving the coordinated exercises with the adjacent muscles to the pelvic floor muscles.