Core stabilizing running exercise system and apparatus

An exercise apparatus in this disclosure includes a doorway mountable runner restraint device. The device has a generally rigid, preferably padded, belly pad that is placed against and in front of a user's pelvis and abdominal area. A pair of cords are attached to the belly pad, each having an opposite end attached to an elastic member. Each of the elastic members is, in turn, attached to an anchor which is removably fastened to a door, a doorway frame, or sandwiched between a closed door and the doorway frame. A user fastens the apparatus in place in a doorway, faces away from the doorway, and places the belly pad against his or her torso directly over the pelvis area, and then runs in a direction away from the doorway. The elastic members resist and restrain the user from substantial movement away from the doorway but stretch to allow forward running movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus and more particularly for an exercise device to assisting runners maintain core stability while running in place.

2. State of the Art

Various devices are known to permit a person to simulate a run in a generally confined space. Such devices include treadmills, both self powered and powered, stepping platforms, etc. In addition, one can attach one end of an elastic cord to a stationary frame or doorway, wrap the other end around the person's torso to provide resistance while leaning forward and running in place.

The elastic cord type of stationary exercise device is simple, inexpensive, easy to transport, and easy to set up and use. However, such a device does not provide any useful feedback to the user and is extremely boring to use. Further, such prior art devices are uncomfortably restraining to the user during exercise and tend to slip during use.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An interactive exercise monitoring system in accordance with this disclosure includes a doorway mountable runner restraint device including a belly pad having two or more force/pressure sensors embedded therein connected to one or more transmitters. Each sensor senses force applied by a user/runner against the pad during exercise. A receiver/controller is operably coupled to the one or more transmitters and is operable to receive signals from the sensors and generate one or more indications correlated to the sensed forces. These indications are then sent to a display connected to the receiver/controller for displaying the indications.

The system may also include a stationary collapsible frame connected to the restraint device having a cushioned support pad for supporting a user on a floor support surface. The runner restraint device comprises an elongated generally rectangular belly pad having a cord fastened to each end of the pad. Each cord has another end connected to an elastic member which is in turn removably attached to an upright member of the frame. Preferably the restraint device further has a safety strap fastened between the frame and each cord.

An exercise apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure basically includes a runner restraint device. The runner restraint device is adapted to be mounted or fastened to a stationary object such as a stationary frame, a doorway, door, wall, ceiling, or other stationary structure. The device has a generally rigid, preferably padded, belly pad that is placed against and in front of a user's pelvis and abdominal area. A pair of cords are attached to the belly pad, each having an opposite end attached to an elastic member. Each of the elastic members is, in turn, attached to an anchor which is removably fastened to the stationary object, e.g. a door, a doorway frame, or sandwiched between a closed door and the doorway frame. A user, for example, fastens the apparatus in place in a doorway, faces away from the doorway, and places the belly pad against his or her torso directly over the pelvis area, and then runs in a direction away from the doorway. The elastic members resist and restrain the user from substantial movement away from the doorway but stretch to allow forward running movement.

Another embodiment of the apparatus preferably has a first cord having one end connected to one end of the belly pad and an opposite end connected to one end of an elastic member. An another end of the elastic member is connected to a strap fastened to an anchor member. A second cord has one end connected to the other end of the belly pad and an opposite end connected to one end of another elastic member. The other end of the another elastic member is connected to a second strap fastened to the anchor member, at a location spaced from the first strap. A spreader bar may be positioned between the first and second cords to maintain a spaced relation between the first and second cords during use.

Both of the apparatus embodiments my include force/pressure sensors. In both embodiments the sensors are spaced laterally apart in the belly pad such that, in use, one sensor is positioned adjacent a user's right hip and the other sensor is positioned adjacent the user's left hip. The system further preferably has a video playback device operably connected to the display and to the controller. The sensor signals processed in the controller my optionally control the frame repetition rate of a video being processed in the video playback device and displayed on the display device such that a user can voyeuristically run along a path simulation shown on the video display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the art disclosed may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the art disclosed.

A perspective view of an interactive runner restraint exercise system100incorporating a first embodiment of a runner restraint exercise apparatus102of the present disclosure is shown inFIG. 1. This particular system100includes a generally L shaped collapsible frame104supporting the apparatus102, a camera106, a receiver/controller108, and a display110.

The frame104includes a cushioned runner support pad112attached to spaced side frame members114. The support pad112rests on a floor support surface (not shown) and provides a secure, cushioned surface on which the runner can stand and run in place. The side frame members114are hinged to upright frame members116that are in turn releasably held rigidly upright by braces118. The frame104can preferably be collapsed for storage beneath a bed or in a closet or other convenient location. Alternatively, the exercise apparatus102may be attached to a doorway as is shown inFIG. 2and thus the frame104would be unnecessary in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2.

An embodiment of the runner restraint exercise apparatus102includes a pair of cords122that each have one end fastened to one end of an elastic member124. The other end of each cord122is attached to one side of a belly bar/pad126. As shown inFIG. 1, the other end125of each elastic member124is removably fastened to the top of the frame104. Alternatively, this end125may be secured to a doorway140as shown inFIGS. 2 through 5and explained in detail below.

The belly bar/pad126is a generally rectangular, preferably rigid, pad preferably cushioned or covered with soft material such as a closed cell polymeric foam for comfort during use. This bar/pad126may be a flat rectangular plate as is shown inFIG. 3, or may be curved and shaped for comfort anatomically complementary to a user's pelvic/abdominal area. Preferably the pad structure should have a rigid base layer which is form fitting to the user's body at the height of the upper pelvis/lower abdominal area. This will permit a user to spread the forces evenly among areas in contact with the belly bar and run without compressing the pelvic joints or other portions of the body, thus providing a unique, free run, feel. The width, or long axis, of the pad126is long enough, i.e., wide enough, so that it preferably does not extend outward beyond a user's pelvis so that the user's arms can swing freely during exercise without hitting the pad126. The height of the pad should sufficient for comfort but not so high as to interfere with leg motion or breathing. One exemplary pad measures about 42 cm by 12 cm. The pad126may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or a composite material and may be solid or hollow. As mentioned above, a cushion may be integrated onto the pad for comfort. This cushion may be removable and could have different shapes for different users.

A covering on this pad126is preferably made of a friction or nonslip material such that during use it does not ride up or down on the user's torso from the pelvis during exercise. Should a user be wearing loose cotton or nylon clothing, for example, a wide belt (not shown) or wrap of nonslip material, such as a rubber faced web belt, could be worn around the user's waist and hips to engage the nonslip surface covering of the bar/pad126.

Preferably each of the cords202connects via a metal ring to a looped rope attached to either end of the pad126. In this way the restraining force applied by the elastic members204will be distributed to the pad126generally perpendicularly rather than at unpredictable angles. This configuration facilitates more accurate force/pressure measurements.

As can be readily seen inFIG. 3, the pad126may be equipped with a pair of side handles127. The user may grasp these handles127during certain exercise routines. The handles127may be the ends of a single rod that passes beneath or through the pad126, or they may be detachable or hinged to the pad126such that they may be folded out of the way to permit a user's arms to freely swing past the ends of the pad126as inFIGS. 1 and 2.

Embedded within the pad126may be two or more sensors128and130. Each of the sensors128and130can detect fluctuations in force/pressure applied by the user's body against that portion of the pad and sends signals to the receiver/controller108where the force/pressure signals are processed for display on the display110.

Each of the pressure sensors128and130preferably may include an accelerometer and/or a piezo-resistive strain gauge element coupled to an amplifier and transmitter for preferably short range wireless transmission, via Bluetooth, for example, of the force/pressure signals to the receiver108. The receiver108in turn processes the force/pressure signals for display on the display110. The sensors128and130may also be mechanically coupled to the handles127shown inFIG. 3such that, when these handles are used, force/pressure signals applied by the user to the handles127are sent to the receiver/controller108.

Optionally the receiver108may also receive a strain gauge signal from the elastic members124as indicated by the dashed line inFIG. 1. This strain gauge signal from the elastic members124can be processed in the receiver to correlate the forces with spring characteristics and hence determine the calories burned by the runner during exercise. Further, the receiver108may receive heart rate, respiration, or other body physiological data from sensors attached directly to the user's body.

The pressure signals from the sensors128and130are primarily displayed to the runner to show any side to side imbalance in the runner's abdominal core contact areas, with the objective that the runner adapt his or her stride and posture during exercise to maintain an even force/pressure distribution display. This, in turn, gives the runner real time visual feedback of his/her running style and/or conditions during an exercise.

The display110may also be configured to display a prerecorded video of a running course, for example, a run through a countryside path, along with display of time, pace, and the force and pressure data. Further, the signals from the sensors128and130can be processed by the receiver/controller108to calculate equivalent speed and distance traveled. This speed and distance information may be utilized in the controller108with the prerecorded video to control its frame repetition rate on the display device110, and hence give the runner the sense that he or she is running along the path shown in the video on the display device110.

One such control scheme for controlling video frame repetition rate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,243, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The video display device110has another use as well. The camera106can display a real time image of the runner during exercise in conjunction with display of the sensed forces via sensors128and130. When the camera106feeds video picture of the runner to the display device110, the runner can watch his or her image thereon to immediately assess running posture, gait, etc. and monitor the displayed forces sensed by sensors128and130to strive for a balanced form and thereby improve physical performance during exercise.

A second embodiment of the exercise apparatus200in accordance with the present disclosure is shown inFIG. 2and separately inFIGS. 3-5. The apparatus200includes a pad126having a pair of embedded sensors128and130as in the first embodiment100. In this embodiment200the sensors128and130, may send wireless signals to the receiver108as inFIG. 1or alternatively may locally display or store the information within the pad126for later review. This apparatus200again has a pair of cords202each having one end fastened to an end of the pad126and the other end fastened to one end of an elastic member, such as a coil spring204. An opposite end of each elastic member204is attached to a flexible but non-elastic band or strap206. Each of the cords202pass through a hole near one end of a spreader bar208. This spreader bar208maintains the cords202in a generally parallel relation behind the user/runner while running so that a proper distribution of forces applied by the user to the pad126is maintained. The position of the spreader bar208may be adjusted by sliding the spreader bar208along the cords202.

It is to be noted at this point that the spreader bar208is optional and may be needed if the apparatus200is fastened in a doorway frame at a single point, which is not illustrated. The spreader bar208may be dispensed with if an anchor bar as described below is used, since the anchor bar210maintains proper spacing between the cords and straps. Alternatively, the spreader bar208may be utilized in exercises where a user run backwards utilizing the device200, and the belly pad126is positioned against the user's buttocks. In such a situation it may be advantageous for the user to grip the spreader bar208.

One end of each of the straps206is fastened to an anchor bar210as is shown inFIG. 3. The straps or bands206are preferably made of a flexible, non stretchable fabric such as cotton or nylon webbing. The anchor bar210may be a single dowel rod or may be a telescopic assembly of a male member212and female member214as is shown inFIG. 3. The telescopic anchor bar assembly may be spring loaded so that it can fit within a doorway against the back side of a door142, or may be threaded together or alternatively be mechanically lockable at various lengths. This anchor bar210is designed to fit behind the top edge of a closed door142with the bar210preventing the straps206from being withdrawn from the door142through the doorway140as is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

Also fastened to the anchor bar210is one end of a pair of safety cords216. These safety cords216have their other ends each fastened to one of the cords202such that over extension of the springs204is prevented. These safety cords216may be external of the springs204as shown, or alternatively may be threaded through the length of each of the springs204and attached to the straps206rather than the anchor bar210.

Each of the alternative configurations shown inFIGS. 3-5may be utilized as part of the system100shown inFIG. 1.

An exemplary embodiment of an adjustable belly pad assembly300for use in either the system100or the apparatus200is shown in a front perspective view inFIG. 6. The pad assembly300comprises a telescopically adjustable support tray302receiving a cushion pad306therein. In the embodiment illustrated, the tray302is an elongated generally flat tray with angled or curved side edges304shaped to hold the cushion pad306securely in place therein. Alternatively the adjustable tray302may be curved and anatomically shaped about a typical user's pelvic and abdominal area, as is schematically represented inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The adjustable tray302is preferably made in two sections. A first section308is telescopically received in a second section310. The distance between the side edges304on the first section308is slightly less than the distance between the side edges304of the second section310such that the side edges304on the second section form a guide for the side edges of the first section308. The tray sections308and310are each preferably constructed of a rigid material such as a molded plastic sheet material or made of a stamped sheet metal.

Each of the sections308and310may be generally identical in shape except that Section308has an elongated blind slot312extending parallel to and along a longitudinal axis of the tray302and centered between the upper and lower side edges304of the tray302. The second section310has a hole, that, when the sections are nested together, is centered over the slot312through which a threaded bolt (not visible) extends. This bolt is, in turn, threaded into a wing-nut fastener314. When the wing-nut fastener is tightened, the first and second sections are drawn together securely. It is to be understood that the type of fastener assembly shown (bolt/wing-nut) is merely exemplary. Many other means of removably fastening sections308and310together will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The length of the tray302may be adjusted by sliding the first and second sections308and310together, or pulling them apart, until a desired length is achieved. The optimal length of the tray302preferably corresponds to a user's hip width at the top of the pelvis. For example, if one user has a hip width of 14 inches, then the tray length should be adjusted to be approximately 14 inches. In this way, the belly pad300will not extend beyond the user's hips and thus will not hinder the user's arm swing during exercise. When the desired length is set, the wing-nut fastener314is tightened to set the length of the tray302.

When the tray length is set, the pad306is cut to length so as to fit snugly within the edges304around the tray302. The pad306may further be held in place in the tray302by an adhesive strip, or complementary hook and loop fabric strips, adhesively attached to the tray sections308and310and to the pad306. This pad306is preferably a closed cell foam pad that provides some cushioning for the user and also may provide a mounting location or locations for the sensors described elsewhere in this specification.

Near opposite ends of the tray302and adjacent outer corners of the tray302are a pair of spaced holes316. A cord318extends out of one hole and passes through a ring320and then back through the other of the pair of holes316. The cord318may have a knotted end inside the tray302at each hole316or it may be an endless loop that passes through the holes and through the ring320and back.

The ring320may be a solid ring or could alternatively be a round carabiner or split ring that permits the cord318to be removably joined to the cord202shown inFIG. 2. It is to be understood that cord318performs the same function as cord legs203inFIG. 2. The belly pad assembly300fastened to cords202via rings320ensures that the forces transmitted from the user to the cords202are optimally distributed during exercise. By sliding freely on cord318, the angle of the tray302, and hence the belly bar assembly300, is separated from the angle of pull on the cord202, thus facilitating equalized pressure forces between the top and bottom of the belly pad when in use.

Alternatively, the cord318could be replaced with a rigid “D” shaped structure to which the ring320is attached such that the ring320is free to slide along the curved portion of the “D” shape. Such a configuration would have the straight portion of the “D” shaped structure hinged to the end of the belly pad tray302. A still further alternative would replace the “D” shape with a “C” shape rigid member that has its ends hooked into holes at the upper and lower end corners of the tray302. The ring320would then clearly freely slide up and down the “C” shaped portion as described above. Such “C” shaped or “D” shaped structures may be made of metal or plastic material and may be hinged to the tray302or mounted in a fixed position.

In certain alternative embodiments, the cords318as shown inFIG. 7may be fastened to the ring320in such a manner that the ring320is maintained at a fixed location on the cord318in order to provide a set angle with respect to the tray302. In such arrangement the ring320may be replaced with an adjustable connector such as a spring loaded clamp that clamps to one location on the cord318to maintain the fixed angle, or fixed segment lengths of cord318rather than having a sliding connection.

The assembly of cords202, ring320and cord loop318may optionally be covered by a Y-shaped soft fabric or neoprene sleeve322in order to minimize interference with the user's arm movements and friction discomfort during exercise. This sleeve322may be fastened in place around the cords202, ring320and loop318via hook and loop material such as Velcro or other suitable closure materials. Alternatively, the sleeve322may simply be an extension of and part of a cushion fabric cover that covers the entire pad assembly300.

One or more force sensors may also be incorporated into the ring320. In such an implementation, the sensor could include a piezoresistive strain gauge coupled to a miniature amplifier to provide a wireless signal to the controller108as above described. Such a sensor could detect directly the force applied to the cord202attached thereto. Additional sensors may be embedded into pad306of the belly pad assembly300so that additional characteristics related to the physical structure and exertion by the user may be monitored and transmitted to the controller108for subsequent display and/or analysis.

Additional cushioning wedges324may be attached to the pad306in the assembly300. These wedges324may be useful in adjusting the fit of the apparatus300to an individual user. Such wedges324may preferably be attached via hook and loop fastener strips attached to the complementary surfaces of the pad306and wedge324so that fit can be easily adjusted. These wedges324may also be used when a user has one side of the pelvis weaker than the other.

A further embodiment of the belly pad assembly300is shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. A hinged handle340may be optionally attached to the front, or outer, surface of each section308and310of the tray302. This hinged handle340may be spring biased to the folded position, and then latched in an open position as shown inFIG. 9. Each of the handles340may be grasped by the user while running in place during certain exercise regimens or to provide a sense of stability for the user. In addition, these handles340may be used to hold the assembly in position during exercises where the user reverses his or her position, i.e., faces away from the belly pad assembly300during a particular exercise regimen. In addition, although not specifically shown, the handles340may be fitted with latches to lock them in the extended positions.

Various modifications and alternatives to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a rounded belly bar/pad accessory may be added to the pad126to facilitate yoga style exercises with the device100or200. Separate anchor bands or straps206may be utilized that each have an individual door anchor such that the straps206may be attached to both sides of the door, to alter the angle of pull of the cords202. Such a configuration may be used to control the amount of lift from the floor. Interchangeable resistance members could also be used to match the individual user's mass and preferred exercise style. The ring320may be replaced with a snap shackle attached to the cord202or an adjustable spring loaded clamp, if maintenance of a predetermined angle provided by segments of cord318to the tray302is desired.

In another alternative, the handles340may be constructed differently than that shown in that they may be more ergonomically shaped, and/or controls may be integrated into the handles340to control signals sent to and from the receiver/controller108, control the camera106or change selections on the display110. These are only exemplary variations. Accordingly, all such alternatives, variations and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of and as defined by the following claims.