MUSCLE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of muscle exercise equipment consisting of a strip (4) raised in an arch between its ends (5 and 6). The strip (4) is intended for a person (1) to move his/her feet (2 and 3) between the ends (5 and 6) of the strip, both feet (2 and 3) always being perpendicular to the direction of the strip (4).

Description: M U S C L E E X E R C I S E E Q U I P M E N T For skiers, training only in winter time when there is snow on the ground offers far too short a time to become a good skier. For this reason various types of equipment are available to allow skiers to train even when there is no snow and for training to be carried out at home or in gymnasiums. The present invention therefore relates to muscle exercise equipment for use in non- winter conditions. The muscle exercise equipment has been specially designed to provide practice for alpine ski-ing. The swinging movement is particularly important in alpine ski-ing and at least some 7000 training occasions are needed to learn this. This is impossible to achieve on snow and must be managed in some other way. The muscle exercise equipment enables muscular, neuromuscular and mental training all at the same time and it is even possible to practise a complete pattern of movements for a down-hill skier. To achieve this desired training, a strip is used which is curved to an arch. The breadth of the strip corresponds to the length of one foot of the exerciser and the strip is firmly secured at the ends. The points at which it is secured allow the strip varying curvature depending on what is currently desired. The strip is firmly anchored at both ends and provided with stops, and the strip is designed for the exerciser to be able to move both feet at right angles to the strip from one end to the other. The length of the strip can be adjusted by additions at its end. The strip is suitably produced from a flat, rectangular sheet with a breadth corresponding to the length of an individual's foot. The ends of the sheet are clamped fast at tw o opposite points located at the same level. If the strip comprises a sheet it may consist of plywood, metal or any other suitable material whatsoever provided a person exercising can move from one side to the other with both feet. According to a suitable embodiment the strip is provided beneath its midpoint with a support so that the strip assumes its highest point here. This support may be adjustable for different heights. Of course, a solid body with a curved upper surface may be used instead of a sheet, but a sheet is probably preferable since it can be bent in various ways to give different curvatures, and the fixture points for the ends of the sheet on the ground o a similar surface may be such that the distance between the ends can be changed as desired. During training the person may have two ski sticks at his/ her disposal to better simulate downhill ski-ing, or alternatively a rail can be arranged near the exercise equipment so that the person exercising has something to hold on to. The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1-2 show the muscle exercise equipment according to the present invention seen from two different directions, Figure 3 shows the exercise equipment with a support rail and a person exercising, Figure 4 shows an arrangement to shorten the path of movement and Figure 5 shows an arrangement for limiting the path of movement, already fitted. It is clear from the drawings that a bottom plate 7 is utilized. Said bottom plate may be provided on its lower side with attachment means 14 and 15 so that the equipment remains in place. Above the plate 7 is a rectangular strip 4. It is preferably made of some soft material such as metal, plywood, plastic or the like, and the ends of the sheet 4 are anchored at the ends 5 and 6 of the base-plate 7 by means of two stops. These stops can naturally be moved in and out, thus enabling the curved shape of the strip 4 to be altered. To ensure that the mid-point of the strip 4 is at the correct point, a support is arranged consisting of the units 11 to 13. The unit 11 is attached to the plate 7 and connected to an adjustable pillar 12 which communicates with the plate 13. When the pillar 12 assumes a stable position the highest point of the equipment is fixed. The supports 5 and 6 are designed to constitute points of encounter for the feet of an exerciser and may have different heights as can be seen in Figure 4 where the part 5 is placed first and a second part 9 is placed on top, followed finally by a lid 10. In this way the sliding plane has been shortened by the lengths of these units 9 and 10 and it is obvious that more parts may also be added. The strip 4 should be as slippery as possible so that an exerciser can move his/ her feet along the strip 4 without much friction and the strip should also have a width corresponding to the foot length of an average person exercising. As can be seen in Figure 3, the person exercising assumes the position illustrated. The person exercising is also presumed to be holding two ski sticks but it may also be advisable to arrange a rail 8 as shown in Figure 3, and this may facilitate training. The muscle exercise equipment described may suitably be provided with a sliding path varying between 150 cm and 120 cm and the parts 9 and 10 may be such that they result in a shortening of the length at each end in steps of about 10 cm. Muscular movement can be practised with the exercise equipment according to the present invention, which is perfected by neuromuscular imprinting. It should also be clear that the muscle exercise equipment allows eccentric and concentric muscular work, balance and position work, as well as visualisation practice.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Muscle exercise equipment (1) in direct contact with both soles (2 and 3) of a person's (1) feet, characterized in that said equipment consists of a smooth, straight strip (4), its breadth exceeding the length of a foot (2 and 3) of an adult (1), said strip being designed for movement of the two feet (2 and 3) of a person (1) between the ends of the strip (5 and 6), the direction of the feet (2 and 3) being substantially perpendicular to the direction of the strip (4), that the strip (4) is provided at its ends with stops (5 and 6) to prevent continued movement, that the length of the strip (4) is preferably adjustable and that the longitudinal section of the strip (4) forms an upwardly directed arch between the ends (5 and 6) of the strip. 2. Training equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the arch is adjustable. 3. Training equipment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the strip (4) consists of a deformable material such as plywood, masonite or the like. 4. Training equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the equipment is arranged in a plate (7) which can be anchored. 5. Training equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rail (8) is arranged beside the strip (4) at a suitable height to provide support for a person (1) exercising on the equipment. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 07 November 1997 (07.11.97) original claims 1-5 replaced by new claims 1-4 (1 page)] Muscle exercise equipment for a human being (1 ), which equipment has a rectangular strip (4), which has a width exceeding the length of a foot (2 and 3) of a human being where the top side of the strip (4) is intended for direct contact with the feet (2 and 3) of a human being, characterized in that the strip (4) is arranged on a base (7) and fastened in such a way that an upwardly directed arch is created between two moveable stops (5 and 6) which also function as movement stop for a foot in movement on the strip (4) and that the top side of the strip (4) is smooth in such a way that the function of the feet (2 and 3) at the movement of the feet (2 and 3) along the strip (4) is low Training equipment as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the part of a stop (5 and 6) which limits the movement of a foot (2 and 3) can be supplied with one or more elements (9) limittmg the movement path of the feet (2 and 3) Training equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an adjustable support (11 - 13) is arranged in the middle of the strip (4) and between the under side of the strip (4) and the base (7) Training equipment as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rail (8) is arranged beside the strip (4) at a suitable height to provide support for a person (1 ) exercising on the equipment

Inventors: LARSSON LENNART, LARSSON, LENNART
Applicants: LARSSON LENNART, LARSSON, LENNART
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63B23
IPC codes: A63B69