AN APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED EXERCISES AND BACK PAIN RELIEF

Abstract: People suffering from back pain would be able to use the apparatus more effectively to relieve the pain. Common users can also use this apparatus for strengthening and stretching exercises that conventional exercising equipment such as treadmills do not provide. Combinations of a general frame (1) along with multiple attachements (8, 11) form an effective exercising apparatus (9). The user of the apparatus shifts weight from the spine or lower back to hands while performing exercises. Ordinary upright position causes more stress on the lower back, and the weight of the upper body in motion may make the situation worse. By suitable placement of hands and selectively distributing upper body weight to hands, the user would be able to control the amount of weight reduction on the lower back or spine as needed to achieve the best results and comfort.

Description: Title: An apparatus and methods for enhanced exercises and back pain relief. TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to an apparatus for exercises that relieve back pain and enhance strength and stretching in both lower and upper body. BACKGROUND ART In general, most occupations involve either sitting, standing, walking or even worse, carrying weights while in motion. In these situations the lower part of the spine or lower back carries a person's upper body weight most of the time. All these activities add stress to the lower back constantly, and hence most people suffer from lower back pain one time or an another. This invention is a result of my personal experience. I have had lower back pain for the past several years. I have taken physical therapy and performed various exercises to relieve my back pain. All my attempts failed to produce satisfactory results because of their unsuitability for my back pain or due to inconvenience. By the end of the day I tend to lie down because of my back pain, and thus impairing all other needed activity. I also tend to exercise less since it was not really helping me because of increased stress on my back while exercising. I have tried various types of conventional treadmills and exercising bicycles at home, at work and fitness centers. However, all the equipment I tried failed to relieve my back pain effectively I wanted to shift my upper body weight to my hands while changing my walking posture, in order to relieve my back pain and to achieve effective upper-body exercises. However, the placement of any hand supports or their design failed to offer my intended purpose. Prior art related to reducing load on the spine or increasing upper body strength failed to effectively address the stated issues. U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,261 issued to lams et al, on Jan. 22, 1991 , discloses an apparatus for walking in spine unloaded state.U.S. Pat. No. 5,704„881 issued to Dudley on Jan. 6, 1999, discloses an apparatus for counterbalancing gravitational forces on the spine, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,117 issued to Fisher, et al. on May 5, 1992, discloses a treadmill with pivoting handles for arm exercises. None of the patents discloses any means for relieving back pain or the means of achieving certain postures specified in my current invention for stretching and strengthening exercises. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION I experimented various walking postures on a treadmill while shifting my upper body weight on to my hands in order to relieve my back pain as well as exercising some portions of my body that were not otherwise exercised. The weight shifting was achieved by using a well supported horizontal hand bar running across the walking belt. The bar could be placed at different heights along ttie belt Positioning the horizontal hand bar below my waist level while transferring my upper body weight to the bar caused my spine to bend forward, this has stretching effect on my spine. By transferring my upper body weight to the bar, using my hands caused reduction in axial loading of my spine. Walking under these conditions would give good massaging effect on my lower back, which would relieve my pain. The relative positioning of the hand bar with respect to the walking belt resulted in some postures, which provided additional stretching and strengthening effects on both my upper and lower body. All my experiments and together with my experience using the conventional exercising equipment resulted in my current invention. The apparatus primarily consists of: Two rigid vertical posts, each of which is positioned and locked along a rigid rail in a desired position. The rails are attached on the left and right sides of a treadmill belt frame. This forms the primary assembly for the purpose of this description. Several individual attachments to the vertical posts, separately or in a suitable combination, would provide effective exercises. The first one is a rigid horizontal hand support bar of a suitable cross-section to provide proper grip and comfort while exerting body counter weight forces through hands. . The horizontal bar is perpendicular to the motion of the belt The above apparatus, thus, facilitates positioning of the hand bar anywhere along the length of the belt and at any height permitted by the vertical supports. The bar together with the supports is capable of supporting the entire weight of the user. Though several positions are possible to suit individual needs, we can consider the following four primary positions for the purpose of understanding its operation: 1. Front-middle position, 2. Front-lower position, 3. Middle-middle position, 4. Middle-upper position. In position 1 , the hand bar is close to the front edge of the belt, and at a height between the waist and the knee of the user. The user places hands on the hand bar spreading at a comfortable position along the bar, then exerts downward pressure as needed to relieve weight on the lower back while walking at a desired speed. The body may be bent forward slightly to stretch the spine. Quick relief of lower back can be realized in this operation, while exercising both upper and lower body muscles. In position 2, the hand bar is lowered to below the knee level of the user. In this position, the spine of the user becomes more horizontal and the axial forces due to body weight on the spine will be reduced significantly. The body weight will be shifted to both hands and legs more evenly, which stretches the spine, which also exercises arm and shoulder muscles. Stretching legs as far back as possible while walking causes increased stretching in the hamstrings. In position 3, the hand bar is raised above the shoulder level, and the posts are moved closer to the middle of the treadmill. The user shifts the load from the lower back to the bar by applying downward force on the bar by pulling the bar down. Again, the user adjusts the load on the bar as needed for the best results. In position 4, the bar is raised up to the maximum level where the user stretches arms up almost fully. Higher positions provide stretching in the arms and the upper body, similar to chin-ups, while reducing load on the spine for comfortable walk. This will also help stretching in the spine. In this position the user is almost suspended from the hand bar to reduce weight on the spine as well as leg joints. The treadmill can be inclined forward or backward to achieve the results of strength and stretching exercises in various parts of the body. This facilitates both uphill and downhill walking while adjusting the forces against gravity using the hand support, which results in postures, and hence exercises, that are not provided by conventional treadmills. Inclinations may be steeper than what the conventional treadmills offer. It is also an object of the invention to facilitate natural movement of the arms through a pair of swinging arm attachments. These can be attached to the vertical supports typically at shoulder level. The arm of the attachment is pivotally attached to provide full circular motion as well as swings closer and away from the user as needed. Resistance and the freedom of the individual direction of rotation or swing can be adjusted as needed. In addition, the length of the arm can be adjusted to suit individual needs. Also, shock absorbing means provided will reduce shock while weight shifting. This attachment allows the user to swing hands more naturally while walking in different postures. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an adjustable platform to serve various utility functions such as holder for a book, TV, display, and controls. The user will be able to position and orient these more ergonomically as needed. The controls may include wired or wireless apparatus to control functions of various visual, sensory and motion equipment. It is another object of the invention to accommodate when one of user's legs is unable to function. An attachment to serve as a footrest can be positioned at a convenient height along one of the posts should the user find it necessary to rest one of the legs. Additional spring action will provide necessary cushioning effect while the other leg and the rest of the body is working out Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable attachment for an air circulating equipment such as a fan or air conditioner to minimize perspiration and help prolonged workout. The attachment can be oriented and locked at a convenient height along the posts. Another object of the invention is to provide for programmed functioning of all the attachments such as automatic and periodic movement of the hand bar as well as the vertical supports to be able to exercise more effectively for desired results. Various input parameters can be measured for monitoring and controlling the apparatus for safe and effective operations. It is another object of the invention to provide a cost-effective solution. The basic apparatus that permit most of the stated exercises can be build with only a small additional cost to an existing treadmill or bicycle as an attachment. It is also easy to manufacture and assemble the parts. The complete apparatus, which offer automatic and power driven movements of the parts, may be manufactured using the existing technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWNGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view showing the apparatus with a hand bar, a hand swing, a utility platform, and a fan assembly. FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 FIG. 3 shows another form of the hand bar, and a support for a lower limb. FIG. 4 shows the hand bar in front-middle position. FIG. 5 shows the hand bar in front-lower position FIG. 6 shows the hand bar in middle-middle position. FIG. 7 shows the hand bar in middle-upper position. FIG. 8 shows a side elevation view of the hand swing. FIG. 9 shows a front elevation view of the hand swing. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the frame. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS) The preferred embodiments herein presented are chosen and described to explain the invention so that others skilled in the art might use its merits. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention in a perspective view showing the apparatus with a hand bar, a hand swing, a utility platform, and a fan assembly. Vertical support posts 3, are locked in approximately a middle position along rails 1 , attached to the left and the right sides of the walking belt 9, of a treadmill. Posts 3, can slide and lock in a position along rails 1, by means of rigid rail joints 2. Joints 2, may also contain a motor driven gear mechanism, pneumatic means, or cable means to move posts 3, along rails 1 , and move any of the attachments vertically along posts 3. Rails 1 , may further include cogs, a threaded drive shaft, or cable and pulleys to facilitate the movements. Hand bar 5 is at an upper level locked in position at the joints 4, attached to the vertical support posts 3. The hand bar may rotate about its axis, and the resistance of rotation may be selectively varied by elastic or frictional means. This rotation will provide additional exercise to the user's wrists and forearms individually or in combination with other exercises. A pair of hand swings 11 , which may be attached approximately at user's shoulder level to the posts 3 to facilitate natural arm movements while exercising. The hand swings are pivotally mounted to posts 3, by joints 12. The pivotal means provides rotation of the hand swings along two perpendicular axes. Resistance of rotation along the two axes may be independently and selectively varied by frictional or elastic means. In addition to providing arm exercises, the hand swings also facilitate selectively shifting of upper body weight to the hands by adjusting the vertical height of swing joints 12. Details of the hand swings are shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. A fan assembly 15, is pivotally attached to the posts 3 at a desired height, by means of extensible support arms 14. The fan assembly 15, therefore, can be positioned and oriented to provide comfortable airflow to the user while working out. Adjustable utility platform 8, is attached at a desired height along posts 3, using platform joints 6. Platform 8 is pivotally mounted to platform arms 7 and locked at a position along its length. This platform assembly provides comfortable height and orientation for the user. Each side of platform 8, may be used for supporting one or more of the components such as electronic controls, monitoring devices, a television, a book, and a computer. Platform 8, provides an ergonomic means for placement of such components. FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a side elevation view. This shows rail 1 , rail joint 2, post 3, hand bar joint 4, platform joint 6, platform support arm 7, utility platform 8, hand swings 11 in a rotated position, hand swing joint 12, fan assembly support arm 14, fan assembly 15, and fan assembly joint 16. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment consisting of hand and underarm supports 21 for both left and right hands. These supports provide means for selectively transferring upper body weight to posts 3 through underarms and forearms while performing exercises. Support joints 22, provide means of locking along posts 3 at a desired height. Posts 3 are positioned conveniently in the middle along the treadmill belt. Suitable shape and shock absorbing means may be provided to supports 21 , in order to support underarms and hands comfortably. FIG. 3 also shows foot or leg resting means in the event the user is unable to use one of the lower limbs due to temporary or permanent inability. FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show hand bar 5 in four different exemplary positions using joints 6 along posts 3, in order for the user to achieve different effects while exercising. FIG. 4 shows hand bar 5 in a front-middle position. Posts 3 are locked in a front position, and hand bar 5 is locked at a level which is below user's waist and above the knee. The user places hands on the hand bar spreading at a comfortable position along the bar, then exerts downward pressure as needed to relieve weight on the lower back while walking at a desired speed. The body may be bent forward slightly to stretch the spine. Quick relief of lower back can be realized in this operation, while exercising both upper and lower body muscles. FIG. 5 shows hand bar 5 in a front-lower position. Posts 3 are locked in a front position, and hand bar 5 is locked at a level which is below user's knee. In this position, the spine of the user becomes more horizontal and the axial forces due to body weight on the spine will be reduced significantly. The body weight will be shifted to both hands and legs more evenly, which stretches the spine, which also exercises arm and shoulder muscles. Stretching legs as far back as possible while walking causes increased stretching in the hamstrings. FIG. 6 shows hand bar 5 in a middle-middle position. Posts 3 are locked in a front position, and hand bar 5 is locked at a level which is above user's waist and below user's head level. The user shifts the load from the back to the bar by applying downward pressure on the bar by pulling the bar down. Again, the user adjusts the load on the bar as needed for the best results. FIG. 7 shows hand bar 5 in a middle-upper position. Posts 3 are locked in a front position, and hand bar 5 is locked at a level where the user's hands are almost fully stretched vertically up. Higher positions provide stretching in the arms and the upper body, similar to chin-ups, while reducing load on the spine for comfortable walk. This will also help stretching in the spine. In this position, the user is almost suspended from the hand bar to reduce weight on the spine as well as leg joints. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the details of the hand swing 11 , of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a side elevation view and FIG. 9 is a front elevation view. Knob 31 , is a means for adjusting resistance in front and back swing movements. Knob 32, is a means for adjusting resistance in left and right swing movements. Knob 33 is a means for adjusting the length of the swing arm to suit the user's needs. Knob 34, provides a means for adjusting the shock absorbing resistance while swinging and transferring upper body load to the handles 35, by adjusting the opposing force of an internal spring. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the frame of the apparatus, which includes a base with two side rails 1 , rail joints 2, and vertical support posts 3. The frame along with the any suitable combination of the stated attachments could be used with an existing treadmill or an exercise bicycle for some or all of the exercises described above.

Claims: CLAIMS An upper body exercising apparatus comprising: 1. A support frame, at least one frame attachment member, and an exercising device, said frame having a base generally in a horizontal plane, said base having a left side, a right side, a front side and a back side with respect to user's general orientation while exercising, said frame having a means of selectively moving said frame attachment member, and a means of rigidly holding said frame attachment member in a desired position. said selectively moving means comprising horizontal moving means and vertical moving means. said horizontal moving means extend between said front side and said back side of said frame base. said vertical moving means extend between the user's feet level and the user's maximum hand reach. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame attachment member is a hand support bar, whereby the user can shift upper body weight to the hand bar using hands, relieving axial bad on the spine. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame attachment member is a hand swing, whereby the user can shift upper body weight to the hand swing relieving axial load on the spine while swinging hands in natural motion. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame attachment member is a utility platform, whereby allowing ergonomic placement of plurality of support functions. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame attachment member is an air circulating device, whereby allowing the user exercise longer periods due to increased comfort. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame attachment member is a footrest, whereby allowing user to rest one of his/her disabled lower limbs. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said horizontal moving means comprises a rigid rail along said left side or said right side, a rail joint movably mounted on said rail, said vertical moving means comprises a rigid post substantially vertical with respect to said rail, and attached rigidly to said rail joint, a means of sliding said frame attachment member along said vertical post, a means of locking said attachment member at a desired height. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said exercising device is a treadmill. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said exercising device is an exercising bicycle. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 , a means of discrete or continuous sliding movement of said post along the supporting rails, and said means of movement of said hand bar along said post. 11. The apparatus of Claim 10 wherein the means of movements is achieved by any combination of motor driven shafts, motor driven cables, and pneumatic pumps. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means of movements is provided at selective periods, and the movements are cyclic whereby facilitating the user selectively changing exercising postures. 13. The apparatus of claim 1 , and a set of sensory equipment to monitor such parameters as load distribution of the user's weight, pulse monitoring, obstacle sensing along movements of various members of the apparatus, and responding means to the signals from said sensory equipment, whereby providing safe and effective operation of the apparatus. 14. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said utility platform is attached to said post by at least one support arm, said support arm having a means of attaching rigidly to said post at a selective orientation, a means of pivotally holding said platform by said support arm, a means of locking said platform in a selective orientation, and said platform and said support arm having plurality of sides. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said support arm having a means of adjusting proximity of said utility platform to said post. 16. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said footrest having shock absorbing means and said shock absorbing means having adjustable shock resistance. 17. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said arm swing having a means of pivotally attaching to said post at a desired height and said pivotally attaching means provide rotation about at least one axis approximately perpendicular to the post, whereby allowing natural swing of the user arms. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the rotational movements comprise means of imparting selective resistance to the movements, and the resistance is provided by elastic or frictional opposing forces. 19. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said arm swing having shock absorbing means. 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said shock absorbing means further having means of selectively adjusting shock resistance. 21. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said arm swing having a means of selectively adjusting length, whereby the user can adjust the length to the needs. 22. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said hand bar having a means to support user's arm or underarm, and having means to adjust proximity to the user, whereby the user can shift upper body weight from the spine to the arms or underarms. 23. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said hand bar provides rotation about its axis, whereby user can exercise his/her wrist and forearms. 24. The apparatus of claim 23 where in said rotation having means of imparting selective resistance, and the resistance is provided by frictional or elastic opposing forces. 25. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said air circulating device is attached to said post by at least one support arm, said support arm having a means of attaching rigidly to said post at a selective orientation, a means of pivotally holding said air circulating device by said support arm, a means of locking said air circulating device in a selective orientation. 26. A method of reducing load on bwer-back while exercising, said method comprising: the apparatus of claim 2, wherein said exercise device is a treadmill, said user atop said treadmill walking surface, said user holding said hand bar, said user distributing selective portion of upper-body weight from spine to the hand bar by applying downward force on said hand bar. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein said hand bar is positioned at a level below said user knee, whereby stretching the spine while relieving axial force on the spine due to upper- body weight, and cantilever force due to bending, said user stretches the leg moving with the walking surface far enough rearward while keeping the heel close to the walking surface, whereby providing stretching in the hamstrings. 28. The method of claim 26 wherein said hand bar is positioned at a level between said user's waist and knee, whereby allowing the user bend his or her spine to desired extent, while move legs in a normal walking manner. 29. The method of claim 26 wherein said hand bar is positioned at a level between said user's waist and head, whereby allowing the user in upright posture while shifting portion of upper-body weight from the spine to the hands. 30. The method of claim 26 wherein said hand bar is positioned at a level above said user's head level, whereby allowing the user in upright, and hands stretched upward posture while shifting portion of upper-body weight from the spine to the hands by pulling the said hand bar downward.

Inventors: VATTI BALA R, VATTI, BALA, R.
Applicants: VATTI BALA R, VATTI, BALA, R.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A63B22
IPC codes: A61H3, A63B22, A63B23