Variable radius flexibility apparatus

A muscle stretching and spine decompressing apparatus including a base frame (20), a flexible sheet (12) attached to the top of the base frame (20) for supporting the body of a user, and a motorized actuation means (16) for bending the flexible sheet (12) from a substantially flat position to a substantial arc. The motor (18) includes a main shaft (30) connected at each end (30e) to counter grooved helix pulleys (46). As the motor (18) turns the main shaft (30), the counter grooved helix pulleys (46) wind up cable (48) attached to the ends (12a, 12b) of the flexible sheet (12), thereby drawing the flexible sheet ends (12a, 12b) inward to cause the flexible sheet (12) to bend. The motor control system (92) provides for automatic or manual control of the arc of flexible sheet (12).

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to fitness exercise equipment, more particularly to muscle stretching and spine decompression exercise equipment.

The trends in fitness exercise devices over the past 40 years began with strengthening exercise (resistance training) equipment, then aerobic exercise equipment, and now has evolved to flexibility exercise equipment. This third category of fitness exercise devices has recently emerged to address the need for enhancing muscle stretching and spine decompression. Chronic muscle contraction and spine compression can occur from injury, fatigue, excessive sitting and standing, over or under exercising, and gravity. Even the two prevalent forms of exercise, aerobics and resistance training, tone the muscles through repetitious contraction. Although healthy, this creates an added need for flexibility in order to bring the muscles into a relaxed balance between contraction and extension.

Static and dynamic muscle stretching and spine decompression devices are known in the prior art. Longfellow in U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,766 asserts a device that begins in a relatively flat position and is bent into an arc that is very limited due to the fixed sheet ends being unable to be drawn towards each other.

Ecks in U.S. Pat. No. 2,433,538 also describes a device that begins in a relatively flat position and is bent into an arc that is very limited in range.

Fong in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,131 asserts a device that requires the user to begin the exercise in a seated position and rotate into a limited arc defined by two constant arcs with only one arc pivoting at a fixed point. These devices limit the user to conforming to the limited arc, which can be too much or too little for the great variety of body types, resulting in either hyperextension or insufficient stretching and/or decompression benefit.

Harlan in U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,150 asserts a means for stretching the leg muscles of a user straddling two hinged sheets. This device requires the user to begin stretching in a raised high degree of arc and then increases the stretch as it flattens the arc.

L. S. C in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,658 asserts a means for strengthening the mid-section of a user by requiring the user to actively push two pull rods with the user's hands and feet to arc the body until a significant portion of a user's body is in uncomfortably, unsupported positon. The effort to self-support the body weight overhanging the sheet may assist strengthening, but would hinder the relaxation required for flexibility. The user starts in a lying down positon on a sheet that has a significant degree of arc. Due to the relatively short length of that surface, the sheet forms an acute and uncomfortable degree of arc as the mid section of the body is lifted.

None of the above inventions and patents describe a device that allows the support platform to adjust from a substantially flat position to a semi-circular arc with a relatively small radius of approximately 27 Inches.

Current stretching exercise devices tend to be uncomforable and unsafe because tbey do not provide the comfort of full-body support combined with the safety of adjusting to users' needs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a muscle stretching and spine decompression device for exercise and rehabilitation of the soft tissue and joints of the body, while minimizing discomfort and risk of injury.

It is a further object of this invention to facilitate flexibility by providing relaxation and muscle stretching while having a user exert no effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a muscle stretching and spine decompression apparatus that allows for bending and straightening the user's body from a substantially flat position to a semi-circular arc that creates an elogating force to stretch a user's spinal column and muscles at a comfortable speed and with the ability to stop at any point in between. The one embodiment of the present invention provides a flexible sheet of polycarbonate, approximately 72″×24″×¼″, that acts as a support surface platform for the user. Any suitable sheet material, such as plastic or metal, can be used in place of polycarbonate providing its bending characteristics are substantially the same. The sheet is flexible enough to bend to desired comfortable arcs and strong enough to support any human weight. Cables and pulleys are attached to the ends of sheet to draw sheet inward along the support frame by a motor, thereby increasing the arc of the sheet. Whereby, the user's muscles are relaxed during the operation of the present invention. As the sheet ends are drawn in, rigid struts pivotally attached to the sheet provide added support to the sheet at key load bearing points. The motor can be controlled either manually, or by varied pre-defined programs consisting of adjustable cycles, time, repetitions and stops.

The present invention stretches the muscles of the torso and decompresses the spine of a user by arching the user on a one piece sheet by electro-mechanical means. The user begins stretching in a lowered flat degree of arc (approximately 147 inches radius) and then increases the stretch as the arc is increase (up to approximately 27 inches radius). The user's entire body is comfortably supported during the extension (arc increase) and retraction (arc decrease) operations. The effortless raising and lowering of a user's mid-section would facilitate the muscle release compatible with efficient muscle stretching. The relatively long length of the sheet facilitates a gradual and comfortable degree of arc.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Generally, as shown inFIG. 1of the drawings, the present invention10relates to a variable radius flexibility apparatus including a sheet12made of polycarbonate, such as Lexan®, or other high strength, flexible, resilient material and a vinyl-covered cushioning material14. The sheet12is pivotally joined at its ends12ato an actuation system16, which is driven by a motor18. The above-mentioned components are movably, pivotally, or fixedly attached by conventional means to a frame20.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the frame20of one embodiment of the present invention10includes a base22and at least four perpenduicular supporting members24positioned at the corners of frame20. Base22is a conventional rectangular structure having at least two parallel longitudinal members26and at least two parrallel cross members28oriented perpendicular to and disposed between the longitudinal members26. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes six supporting members24, two longitudinal members26, and three cross members28, where cross member28ais a mid-span cross member and cross members28b,28care external members disposed on either side of cross member28a. All members24,26,28are joined together by conventional means such as welds, screws or bolts.

Now turning toFIGS. 3 and 4, actuation system16is a cooperative combination of rollers, cables, links, pulleys, and connecting rods operatively connected to the motor18to change the curvature of sheet12. Motor18is preferably a 115AC motor, for example Bodine model 0671, mounted to a mid-span cross member28a. A small drive sprocket32is attached to a motor shaft33of motor18. A chain34mechanically links small drive sprocket32to a large drive sprocket36, which is attached to a main shaft30. A small timing gear38attached to the main shaft30drives a large timing gear40, which have cut-outs to trip limit switches42. Limit switches42are electrically connected to the motor18to assure the apparatus10is not retracted below or extended above a predetemined sheet12arc radius (discussed below). As illustrated inFIG. 5, the motor18also includes a brake mechanism44, such as spring actuated self-acting brake, to stop the present invention10from back driving the motor18(discussed below) when no electrical power is applied. An alternatively embodiment (not shown) uses of a self braking gear motor that eliminates brake mechanism44. Additionally, mechanical stops106can be attached to frame20, as illustrated inFIG. 6, to stop the sheet12from retracting below a predetermined radius, as illustrated inFIGS. 1,6, and7.

Now returning toFIG. 3, the actuation system16begins with a helix grooved pulley46attached to at least one end30eof the main shaft30. The preferred embodiment includes two helix grooved pulleys46with two cables48connected to each helix grooved pulley46, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Each cable48has a first end48aand a second end48b. First end48aof each cable48is inserted into opposing entry holes50of the helix grooved pulleys46and crimped to secure cables48to the helix grooved pulley46. The cables48will be wound on to the helix grooved pulleys46at different vertical heights. This could cause problems with the smooth operation of the actuation system16. To maintain, for example, both cables48in a substantially same horizontal orientation along the length of the frame20, an idler pulley52is employed, as illustrate inFIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment, the two helix grooved pulleys46have opposing groove orientations47to compensate for main shaft30rotational direction. One helix grooved pulley46will wind one cable48in the clockwise direction and the other helix grooved pulley46will wind the other cable48in the counter-clockwise direction. Though two pulleys with a pair of cables48attached to each pulley46are illustrated, it is witin the contemplation of the present invention that the use of only one cable and one helix grooved pulley will achieve the objects of the invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the second end48bof cable48is attached to an end54eof an inner connecting rod54. Inner guide rollers56are rotatably connected to the inner connecting rod54. Inner guide rollers56horizontally move along inner guide rails58, which are fixedly attached to the frame20. Main guide roller links60are pivotal connected at a first end60ato the inner connecting rod54and at a second end60bto the main connecting rod62. Now returning toFIG. 5, main guide rollers64are rotatably connected to the main connecting rod62. Main guide rollers64horizontally move along mail guide rails66, which are fixedly attached to the frame20. The main connecting rod62is pivotally attached at point P to the sheet12(details discussed below).

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, two main connecting rod supports68are preferably fixedly attached to the bottom surface12cof the sheet12. The main connecting rod supports68can be bolted, as shown, to the sheet12at ends12a,12b. However any conventional attachment means, such as adhesive or doweled joint, is acceptable. The main connecting rod supports68are made of suitable material, such as plastic, graphite, metal or wood, to withstand operational stress modes. The sheet12of one embodiment of the present invention10is reinforced at ends12a,12bto withstand the bolt clamping loads and operational stress modes. The sheet ends12a,12bcan be reinforced by two plates70a,70b, one each disposed on the bottom surface12cand top surface12d. However, only one plate may be required depending in the strength of the material used for sheet12. The reinforcement plates70a,70bare conventionally attached to the sheet12, but is preferrably attached by adhesive. As illustrated inFIG. 8, main connecting rod supports68include a connecting rod hole72with a diameter slightly larger than the main connecting rod62to allow free rotational movement of the main connecting rod62within the connecting rod hole72.

There are several alternative embodiments contemplated for attaching the main connecting rod supports68to the sheet12. In one embodiment (not shown), the main connecting rod supports68are integral to the sheet ends12a,12b, and the sheet ends12a,12bmay be reinforced to withstand operational stress modes. In another alternative embodiment illustrated inFIG. 9, an U-shaped attachment sleeve74is utilized having a cavity76to receive the sheet ends12a,12b. The U-shaped attachment sleeve74can be bolted to the sheet12. Alternatively, the cavity76can be slightly narrower in height h than the thickness t of the sheet12such that an interference fit is formed between the sheet12and the U-shaped attachment sleeve74, thereby holding the sheet within the U-shaped attachment sleeve74without additional attachment means, such as bolts, screws or adhesive. The U-shaped attachment sleeve74further includes integral or bolted on connecting rod supports68.

As stated above, main guide rails66and inner guide rails58are attached to frame20to support the longitudinal translation of main guide rollers64and inner guide rollers56, respectively, as the motor18draws the sheet12inward as the present invention10is extended and outward as the present invention10is retracted. To reduce potentional twisting of the sheet12during operation, the contact surface78of the main guide rollers64and the contact surface80of the inner guide rollers56are configured to be in contact with the main guide rails66and inner guide rails58, respectively, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 10. Other types of rails and guides, such as a dovetail configuration, are also contemplated to a achieve the same result of constraining the corners of the sheet12from excessive vertical movement, which causes twisting and bending of the sheet12.

For additional support of the sheet12, one embodiment of the present invention10includes sheet reinforcement rods fixedly attached to the sheet12at predetermined locations. Returning toFIGS. 1 and 6, quarter sheet reinforcement rods82are positioned approximately at one-quarter distance from sheet ends12a,12bof sheet12. Quarter sheet reinforcement rods82are pivotally connected to quarter sheet supporting links84at end84a. Quarter sheet support links84are pivotally attached at opposing end84bto frame20at pivot point86. Mid sheet reinforcement rod88is pivotally attached to mid sheet supporting links90at end90a. Mid sheet support links90are pivotally attached at opposing end90bto inner connecting rod54, which rotably supports inner guide rollers56. Main guide roller link60connects the inner connecting rod54to the main connecting rod62, which pivotally connects to main guide rollers64. Inner guide rollers56move along inner guide rails58, which are fixedly attached to the frame20, during the extension and retraction operations.

As stated above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention10has a retraction and extension arc range from approximately 147 inch radius to 27 inch radius, respectively. The 147 inch radius retracted position assures a positive angle for ease of extension, however, any radius above 180 inch or flat is acceptable. The 27 inch radius extended position assures a safe and confrontable radius to maximize muscle stretching and spine compression, however radii smaller than 27 inch radius are also acceptable. As best seen inFIG. 1, the sheet12, is caused by motor18to raise the midsection12cof sheet12from a retracted position A (phantom lines) to an extended position B.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the control box92is connected by control lead102to motor18. The control box92includes an up button94, down button96, and a programable timer button98, which can program one-cycle up to a desired time period, such as three minutes, to customize the maximum arc for each user. The control box92may include a display means100that electronically displays, for example, the measurement of a radius or time into the cycles. The display means100is a conventional device, such as digital, liquid-crystal or LED types. Power cord104connects the control box92to a suitable110V or220V electrical source (not shown).

The vinyl-covered cushioning material14may be a foam and/or inflatable pad (¼″–4″ thickness) covering the surface of the sheet12for user comfort. The foam padding and/or inflatable bladders may be incorporated at strategic points on the sheet to increase or decrease the intensity of the stretching and/or decompression effect. Also the cushion material14may be further augmented by any of the following devices, whether individually or in combination, imparting heat, cold, vibration or mechanical massage.

In use of the present invention10, control box92is used to change the arc of sheet12. Pushing the up button94causes the midsection12cof sheet12to rise. Midsection12cwill continue to rise until the down button96is pushed or until the highest position programmed is reached. Pushing the down button96causes the sheet12to lower. The sheet12will continue downwardly until the off button is pushed or until the lowest position programmed is reached or limit switches42are activated or mechanical stops106are contacted by the rollers64.

One alternative embodiment includes one end of the sheet12being pivotally attached to the frame20but not capable of horizontal movement toward the opposing end of the sheet12. The opposing end of the sheet12will be drawn toward the pivotal end until the desired arc is formed, which is twice the distance of the preferred embodiment.

One alternative embodiment includes a ball-screw drive mechanism in place of the pulley system18.

One alternative embodiment implements the apparatus10within, underneath or on top of a user's mattress. This may provide muscle stretching and spine decompression to the user while lying in bed to increase relaxation before sleep or to reduce morning stiffness after sleeping. The user may also obtain the benefits of the invention while sleeping by programming the device to provide a sleep mode, which would cause it to operate at a reduced speed and degree of arcing.

Another alternative embodiment including a mechanized pivoting capability, which would create a vertical (standing) start and stop position for the user. The user would therefore be able to enjoy the benefits of the device without having to exert the considerable effort needed to raise and lower their body from a horizontal position. This would increase the comfort and safety of the user, especially those with soft tissue and/or spinal injury.

Another alternative embodiment mechanically draws down both ends of the sheet12, or either end independently, onto a rigid and weight bearing 180 degree arc form underlying the sheet12and thereby creating a desired arc as the sheet12gradually conforms to the unyielding surface below it. This embodiment may be effective in hospital and/or rehabilitation facilities having users needing aid in transfer to the device. The table height elevation may reduce risk of injury both to the user and to the attendants assisting. Drawing the ends down as opposed to lifting the center up provides a measure of safety by preventing the user's body from raising any higher than table height while affording assistants the opportunity to aid the person on the sheet conveniently.

And yet a further alternative embodiment is an apparatus implemented for use within, or on top of, an automobile seat to provide muscle stretching and spine decompression while driving.

It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent, which is limited only be the following claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.