EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract: An exercise device for exercising the adductor and abductor muscles of the thigh portion of the legs, in which a cross member (10) is provided which can be placed above or below the thighs or knees to extend across the thighs or knees. End members (11, 12) are provided to extend down the outside of the legs so that the device can then be used either for exercising in which the legs move outwardly or to be placed between the thighs or knees to provide resistance to inward movement of the thighs. In a preferred form of the invention there is provided means (16, 17, 21) for adjusting the spacing or tension between the end members (11, 12) which can be spring loaded (18) so as to provide greater resistance as the device is moved inwardly or outwardly.

Description: EXERCISE DEVICE This invention relates to an exercise device particularly for the muscles of the upper leg and lower abdomen. When exercising the legs and lower abdomen muscles it is necessary to provide an exercising device that will help to give the adductor and abductor, muscles ( endons and ligaments) acting on the upper thigh, hip and buttocks (as well as the muscles of the lower abdominal area) increased strength and flexibility and thereby an improved toned shape as opposed to building an undesirable bulky muscle mass which usually occurs with the use of weighted plate machines. This more streamlined shape is particularly important to women who are concerned about the appearance of their thighs, hips and buttocks, and are desirous of a slender firmer appearance. Furthermore and more importantly, this exercise device can oe used for the rehabilitation of people recovering from hip traumas and particularly pre- and post-hip operative conditions. Research into the applied anatomical interaction of muscles (tendons and ligaments) shows that for the purpose of producing increased strength (resulting in toning and firming) a muscle must ideally be acting against positive and negative resistance through, as much as possible, its full range of possible movement. This concept of positive and negative resistance is utilised in this invention to produce increased strength along with improved flexibility which is a most important by-product of this invention. There are various forms of exercise devices now available for different parts of the human body. There are less desirable devices which are rigid and which merely provide a means for resisting muscular movement. However, generally such devices involve springs or plates weighted to various levels of resistance in which pressure is applied at both ends or at one end of the device, either inwardly or outwardly, vertically upwards or downwards. The effort of overcoming the spring or weight-loaded resistance provides the necessary tension to strengthen the muscles of the arms, shoulders, chest, back, abdomen, the flexors and extensors of the legs and the calves. Most of these devices primarily operate by having pressure applied by the muscles, through the hands. In the case of leg machines pressure is applied through the feet ana ankles. In both instances the force of exertion is along the central axis of the body of tne device, depending upon the nature of the resilient means. The spring or weighted plates can be mounted outside that axis, for example in machines with semi-circular springs as well as in many types of weights lifted via pulley systems (as in training machines having pulleys with positive and negative cam assisted weights). With the exception of exercising devices which are freely hand held and are particularly appropriate for exercising the muscles of the arms, chest, shoulders and back, since it is relatively easy to grasp one or both ends with the hands, most exercising devices are usually large, bulky and very heavy machines which are very expensive. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a light weight portable exercise device particularly for exercising the adductor and abductor muscles of the thigh as well as muscles of tne lower abdomen. According to the present invention there is provided an exercising device for exercising the upper portion of the legs by exercise involving both pressure of the legs together and separation of the legs against resistance which device comprises a central body and two end members extending parallel to each other away from the central body and of dimensions whereby on placing the central body across the legs there is sufficient length of the side members for the legs to comfortably bear against the side members. The exercise device of this invention employs a blend of isotonic, isometric and isokinetic principles in various forms and degrees and provide, as described in detail below, in a most basic and unique way, an opportunity for the adductors and abductors of the thigh (femur) to be strengthened, resulting in an improved toned and firmed appearance, by positive and negative resistance. With the preferred exercise device utilising a spring or other resilient means, positive resistance is produced when the adductors ongus, Magnus, Brevis, Gracilis and Pectinius are enployed in bringing the thighs against a resistance force. Negative, abduction, resistance occurs when controlling the return to the starting position after having achieved a partial or complete thighs together position. In abducting or separating the thighs the muscles Glutius Medius, Minimus and Periformis are employed in positive muscle resistant functions. Tnis antagonistic effect of the adductors to the abductors and vice versa is responsible to a very large degree for smoothness in walking and strengthening of these muscles is therefore one of the most important functions of this invention. If these muscles are weak or impaired the gait is markedly affected. Bending or standing while on one leg would be most difficult or impossible without further support. Of equal importance the exercise device of the present invention, whilst increasing strength, toning and firming of the adductor and abductor muscles to develop the same, also increases the flexibility of those muscles at the hip joint thereby improving the tone and strength of the muscles in the upper legs and around the hip joints thus rendering the invention particularly suitable for the medical application of hip rehabilitation. Therefore, the present invention provides an exercise device for the muscles of adduction and abduction of the thigh (femur) and in particular its mobile relationship to the hip and particularly the hip joint (the ball and socket cavity) . Additionally, and to a lesser degree, the muscles and ligaments of the lower Rectus Abdominαs will be toned and firmed as a result of their consequential contraction and release in the effort exerted in the course of the use of the exercise device. In one form of the invention a portion of the each end member could be curved slightly inwardly so as to encompass the side of the legs. For example, the inner side of the member could be curved so as to encompass the outer portion of the leg while the outer portion could be either straight or curved in the other direction for use of the device between the legs. In the simplest form of the exercise device the device consists of a cross-bar with two dependent rigid side members which could have upholstered cushion portions on those parts which would bear against the legs so as to make the device more comfortable in use. The device could then be placed between the legs so as to provide a resistance for the legs when moved together or alternatively the legs could be placed relatively close to each other, the device placed downwards over the legs or upwards under the legs and then the legs could bear on the side members when moved apart. The cushion covers on the exercise device could be polymeric pads and the upholstered coverings could be made of material such as cotton or Lycra/nylon or cotton/Lycra which can be removed for cleaning, as well as vinyl wipe off coverings of a more permanent nacure. As already mentioned the side members can be configured so as to fit about or into the curve of the leg as appropriate to assist both in comfort and in providing greater gripping of the leg against the device when in use. The side members could be hinged to the main cross member so as to permit folding away after use although for application to inward movement of the leg exercises the side members would have to be lockable in position. The device can be formed so as to be adjustable either for assistance in the exercises or for the individual. For example the cross member could be in two portions, one sliding within the other, a locking means being provided to lock the one part of the cross member in a fixed relationship to the other. This could be done by integral locking devices or by pins being slipped through holes in the two respective portions of the cross member. In another and preferred embodiment of the invention the cross member can again be in two portions, the movement of the two portions being resisted by a spring or other resilient means against either inward or outward or both movements of the two end members. For example the cross member could be a tube with a spring located at one end the other portion of the cross member being movable within the tube and bearing on the spring or being locked to the end of the spring so that the spring resists movements of the two portions of the cross member away from each other. In such a device again locking means can be provided to limit the degree of movement of the two portions of the cross member in respect to each other. Such a device could be provided with various means of recording the degree of movement. The recording means can either be a simple mechanical pointer or could be a micro-electronic device which measures the movement either in terms of distance or in terms of exercise potential e.g. resistance employed. The device could be provided with a memory of previous operations so that the increasing strength of the muscles being exercised could be measured and recorded. For example, there could be provided groups of springs of different resistance to extensibility/compression or a single spring with adjustment means and the sprinα or springs or other tensioning means can be adjusted to vary the resistance of the exercise device. Such a device could be provided with an appropriate conventional digital readout in liquid crystal or similar form. The invention will now be described with a reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 illustrates a simple static exercise device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an adjustable exercise device according to the present invention; Fig. 3 shows the cross section of a spring loaded exercise device according to the present invention. In each device there is provided a cross member 10 and two end members 11 and 12. In Figure 1 these are simple cross members with the side members in fixed relationship. Cushioning can be provided either on the inside or the outside or both sides on the end members and on appropriate portions of the cross member as shown at 13. In Figure 2 the cross member is two portions 14 and 15, 14 being a channel or tube in which 15 or a narrower portion slides. Matching holes 16 are provided in the two portions through which a pin 17 can be inserted to lock one portion in relation to the other. In Figure 3 as in Figure 2 one portion is provided for the cross member which is a channel or tube within which the other portion slides, springs 18 being provided in one member and attached to the end of the other portion as shown in Figure 3. A mechanical pointer 19 moves along a scale 20 to provide an indication of the movement of pressure applied but this could be replaced by an electronic reading means in which either the force is read directly or by the movement of member and converted into a readout in a conventional digital readout device. The exercising device in any of the forms illustrated is employed by placing the device either between the legs so that the inner portions of the legs bear against the outer sides of the end members or by placing the cross member across the upper thighs with the thigh, knee or other parts of the leg bearing on the inside portions of the two end members or alternatively placing the cross member underneath the legs so that the end members point upwardly and engage against the thighs, knees or the other parts of the legs. Movement of the leg inwardly, adduction, or outwardly, abduction, as the case may be exercises the muscles Longus, Magnus, Brevis, Gracilis, Pectinius and Glutius Medius, Minimus and Periformis respectively and to a lesser extent the lower Rectus Abdo inus. Bv alternatinα the location of the device from between the legs to the outside of the legs as well as controlling the power of the resilient means, the exercises can be alternated. The device can also be located at different positions along the leg. Whilst the exercise device of the present invention has been described as having two springs 18, one or more springs can be utilised. The spring or springs 18 can be replaced by other resistance producing devices, such as pneumatic devices. In either event an adjustment device can be provided to adjust the resistant forces of the exercise device as indicated by adjustment knob 21 in Fig. 3. Conveniently, the end members can be hingedly connected with the cross member for folding up against the cross member when not in use. A locking mechanism is preferably provided to locκ the end members in their operative position.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. An exercise device for exercising the adductor and abductor muscles of the legs comprising a cross member and two end members substantially at right angles thereto and of sufficient width and length that the thighs or upper portion of the leg can seat against the end members inwardly or outwardly to provide exercise by inward or outward movement of the legs. 2. A device according to claim 1 in which the end members are hingeable and placeable against the cross member when not in use and a locking means is provided to hold the members outwardly of the cross member when in the use position. 3. A device according to either claims 1 and 2 wherein the cross member is in two portions one movable in relation to the other. 4. A device according to claim 3 wherein locking means is provided to limit the movement of one portion of the cross member in relation to the other portion. 5. A device according to either of claims 3 and 4 wherein a resilient means is provided in one or both portions of the cross member to resist movement of one portion of the cross member in relation to the other. 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein a means is provided for reading the degree of movement of one portion in relation to the other. 7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the reading means is an electronic device with digital display.

Inventors: BERGMAN ALAN, BERGMAN, ALAN
Applicants: BERGMAN ALAN, BERGMAN, ALAN
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A63B23
IPC codes: A63B21, A63B23