Abstract:
Provided herein is an exercise cushion that may be used as a cushion and is configured to be used for performing stretches of the backbone, the muscles of the legs and arms or the like. The exercise cushion may comprise: a core main body, an elastic member, a pair of cushion bags, an inner cushion and a cushion cover. The core main body may comprise a pair of core boards each having an arc shape and are connected to each other in a bendable manner. The elastic member may resist against a force generated when the core boards are bent. The pair of cushion bags may house the core boards. The inner cushion may be configured to be inserted into the cushion bags with the core boards. The cushion cover may cover the cushion bags after the core boards and the inner cushion are inserted into the cushion bags.

Description:
This application relates to International Application PCT/JP2014/058246, with an International Filing Date of Mar. 25, 2014, which claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2013-001757, filed Mar. 29, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an exercise cushion that can be used for performing an exercise of a femoral region such as a hip joint adduction movement, and an exercise of an arm or a breast region or the like, while serving as a cushion such as a seat, a back cushion or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventionally, various kinds of expanders for toning up (strengthening) an arm muscle and training machines or exercise assistive tools for toning up (strengthening) a leg muscle or the like have been developed and have been available on the market. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes exercise equipment in which two arms are coupled (joined) in a V shaped manner and the coupled arms are clamped (constringed) with both hands so as to oppose expansion of the exercise equipment in order to tone up a muscle for a clamping or bending force of an arm. On the other hand, Patent Literature 2 proposes another exercise equipment in which two elastic members having a wedge shape are pinched (put) between thighs so as to tone up associated muscles. 
     Conventional training machines are only useful if they are operated for performing an exercise. Conventional training machines, when not used, are likely to be subject to storage, occupy space and serve no other purpose. 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problem and to provide an exercise cushion that is capable of being used as a cushion and moreover being used for performing a stretch or strengthening of the muscles of the legs or the arms or a backbone by use of the cushion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an exercise cushion is provided that is capable of being used as an ordinary cushion while serving as an exercise machine. The present invention may be implemented by covering the present invention with a cushion material, configuring a pair of core boards in a bendable manner through an elastic member and further covering the core boards and the cushion material. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of achieving a significant and advantageous effect that an exercise can be performed and that the exercise cushion is kept placed on a sofa at all times. 
     The present invention has been made in order to achieve the above described object, and according to one embodiment of the present invention, an exercise cushion is provided that may comprise: a core main body in which a pair of core boards formed in an arc shape are engaged with each other in a bendable manner; an elastic member may be provided so as to resist against a force generated when the core boards are bent; a pair of cushion bags for housing the core boards, respectively; an inner cushion being inserted into the cushion bag with the core board; and a cushion cover for covering the cushion bags after the core boards and the inner cushion are inserted into the cushion bags. 
     Preferably, the core boards may comprise: a center core portion having a halved ellipse shape and being formed in a parallel cross (well curb) shape with a plurality of ribs; and a base plate for covering a surface of the center core portion and having a flap extending outward obliquely from both sides of a circumferential portion of the center core portion. 
     Preferably, the center core portion may include a joint face portion provided with a protruding portion (protrusion or projection) engaging the other joint face portion of the other center core portion, and an engaging groove connecting the protruding portion, and the protruding portion and the engaging groove serve as a fulcrum (fulcrum point) when the core boards are bent. 
     Preferably, a pair of elastic members are arranged in parallel between elastic member support (supporting) pieces provided in the center core portion of the core boards. Preferably, the core boards are coupled by (with) an opening preventive equipment composed of a woven belt so as to prevent the core boards from opening excessively. 
     Preferably, the opening preventive equipment comprises: a woven belt formed in an endless shape; a belt insertion hole formed in the core board and for allowing loop portions of the woven belt to be exposed to a surface of the core board; and a fixing rod being inserted into the belt insertion hole and then inserted into the loop portions at both ends of the woven belt attached to a surface of the core board so as to couple the woven belt to the core board. 
     Yet preferably, the elastic member is configured such that cylindrical elastic members are integrally coupled by a coupling piece, and the elastic member is arranged between the elastic member supportive pieces arranged in the center core portion of the core board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims and drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  are views illustrating an exploded perspective view and an assembly of an exercise cushion according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of a core board according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exercise cushion according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C  are views illustrating various use states of the exercise cushion according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are views illustrating another embodiment of the exercise cushion according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exercise cushion (EC) according to the present invention comprises a core main body  10 , cylindrical shaped elastic members  12 ,  12 , a pair of cushion bags  13 ,  13 , inner cushions  14 ,  14 , and a cushion cover  15  ( FIG. 3 ). The core main body  10  comprises a pair of core boards  11 ,  11  formed in an arc shape which are connected to each other in a bendable (or flexible) manner. The cylindrical shaped elastic members  12 ,  12  are mounted in parallel between elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a  of the core boards  11 ,  11 . The cushion bags  13 ,  13  house the core boards  11 ,  11 . The inner cushions  14 ,  14  are composed of urethane (polyurethane) foam and inserted into the cushion bags  13 ,  13  into which the core boards  11 ,  11  are inserted so as to improve the cushioning property. The cushion cover  15  ( FIG. 3 ) covers the cushion bags  13 ,  13  after the core boards  11 ,  11  and the inner cushions  14 ,  14  are inserted into the cushion bags  13 ,  13 . 
     Each core board  11  is formed with a rigid plastic such as polypropylene (PP). Each core board  11  comprises a center core portion  16  and a base plate  20 . The center core portion  16  has a halved elliptical shape (or curve) and is formed in a parallel crossing (well curb) shape with a plurality of ribs  19 . The base plate  20  covers a surface of the center core portion  16  (e.g., a rear surface in  FIG. 1 ). The base plate  20  also comprises flaps  18 ,  18 , which are formed in the base plate  20  and extend outward obliquely from both sides of a circumferential portion  17  of the center core portion  16 . 
     Although  FIG. 2  shows only one core board  11 , it should be noted that the other core board  11  also has a similar shape and configuration. The core boards  11 ,  11  are configured to face each other to constitute (form) the core main body  10 . A joint face portion  21  of the center core portion  16  of the core board  11  is provided with a protruding portion (protrusion or projection)  22  configured to engage with the other joint face portion  21  of the other center core portion  16  via an engaging groove  23 . Connecting the protruding portion  22  and the engaging groove  23  to each other may allow the joint face portions  21 ,  21  to be butted against each other. The protruding portion  22  and the engaging groove  23  serve as a fulcrum in order to bend the core boards  11 ,  11 . 
     Elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a  may be implemented on (integrated with) the center core portion  16  in a standing manner. Elongated holes  25  may be formed in the elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a  in order to hold the cylindrical elastic members  12 ,  12  with fasteners  24 ,  24 , respectively. Supportive grooves  26 ,  26  may be formed in the joint face portion  21  of the center core portion  16  that is inside the elastic member supportive piece  11   a . Supportive grooves  26 ,  26  may be configured in an arc shape to guide the cylindrical elastic members  12 ,  12 . 
     In order to apply a compressive load to the elastic members  12 ,  12 , the core boards  11 ,  11  are configured such that the core boards  11 ,  11  are capable of bending upwards against the compressive load of the elastic members  12 ,  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A detachable opening preventive equipment  28  shown in  FIG. 1  may be implemented for the core boards  11 ,  11  so as to prevent the core boards  11 ,  11  from excessively opening downwards. 
     The opening preventive equipment  28  comprises a woven belt  29 , a fixing rod  30  and loop portions  29   e ,  29   e . The woven belt  29  is formed in a closed loop shape. The fixing rod  30  is inserted into loop portions  29   e ,  29   e  at both ends of the woven belt  29 . A belt insertion hole  31  is formed in the center core portion  16  of the base plate  20 , and allows the loop portions  29   e  of the woven belt  29  to be mounted to a surface of the base plate  20 . 
     In order to mount the opening preventive equipment  28 , first, the loop portion  29   e  of the woven belt  29  is inserted into the belt insertion hole  31 , and then the loop portion  29   e  may be attached to the surface of the base plate  20 . The fixing rods  30  may be inserted into the loop portions  29   e . Both ends of each fixing rod  30  extend across the respective belt insertion holes  31  on the surface of the base plate  20  and are then held in the belt insertion holes  31 . Holding the fixing rods  30  in the belt insertion holes  31  may prevent the loop portion  29   e  of the woven belt  29  from falling off (slipping off) the belt insertion hole  31 . As a result, the core boards  11 ,  11  are efficiently prevented from excessively opening downwards by the woven belt  29 . 
     The inner cushion  14  may be implemented such that a urethane foam with a thickness of 20 mm to 30 mm may be formed to the shape of the base plate  20  of the core board  11 . One to three or four sheets of the formed urethane foam may be overlapped (piled). The cushion bag  13  houses the core board  11  and the inner cushion  14  when the inner cushion  14  is overlapped on the core board  11 . The cushion bag  13  may have both cushioning and stretching properties. 
     In order to assemble the exercise cushion EC, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  (e.g., with the joint face portions  21 ,  21  of the core boards  11 ,  11  being butted against each other), the elastic members  12 ,  12  may be attached by the fastener  24  between the elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a . The opening preventive equipment  28  may be mounted onto both of the core boards  11 , as described above. The inner cushion  14  may then be overlapped on the core boards  11 ,  11 . The overlapped inner cushion  14  and the core boards  11 ,  11  may then be inserted into the cushion bag  13 . After the cushion bag  13  is mounted (prepared) such that the cushion bag  13  covers the core boards  11 ,  11  and the inner cushion  14 , the cushion cover  15  covers the whole as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The flaps  18 ,  18  may be implemented on the core board  11  on an opposite side of the joint face portion  21 . The flaps  18 ,  18  serve as resistive elements so as to prevent the cushion bag  13  from falling off (slipping off) after covering the inner cushion  14  and the core boards  11 ,  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C , in some embodiments, the exercise cushion EC may have an approximately rectangular shape from a planar view. Four corners of the exercise cushion EC may protrude with the flap  18 . The exercise cushion EC may be formed in an arc shape when viewed from a front view. The cushion cover  15  may conceal the coupled (joint) portion of the cushion bags  13 ,  13 . The cushion cover  15  may be formed with a stretching fabric and/or a raised fabric or the like so as to achieve the function of a cushion (e.g., a pillow, a sofa cushion, etc.). The exercise cushion EC may be left indoors. 
     In one example, to perform an exercise by use of the exercise cushion EC, when strengthening (toning up) the muscles, the exercise cushion EC may be held between the thighs of a user when the legs are spread apart. The legs may then be closed to bend the core boards  11 ,  11  as shown in  FIG. 4B . By closing the exercise cushion EC with the legs, an exercise of the muscles of the inner thighs may be performed. In another example, when the exercise cushion EC is held in the hands of a user to bend the exercise cushion EC, the arm muscles may be toned up (strengthened). 
     A user may sit on the center of the exercise cushion EC when the exercise cushion EC is in the state shown in  FIG. 4A . The user may bend his/her legs beneath the EC (e.g., sit straight). The user may lay his/her head on the exercise cushion EC like a pillow, sit his/her lower back (waist) and/or buttocks against the exercise cushion EC, etc. In either of these examples, the user may swing their body from left to right to perform an exercise that improves physical balance and/or tones up (strengthens) the abdominal muscles or the like. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 4C , with a convex portion of the exercise cushion EC facing upwards, when the user lies down over the convex portion, the backbones may be stretched. Furthermore, the exercise cushion EC may be leaned against a backrest of a chair (or other type of seat). When the user sits on the chair and leans against the exercise cushion EC, the backbones may also be stretched. 
     Since the core boards  11 ,  11  are coupled to each other with the opening preventive equipment  28  composed of the woven belt  29 , even if the body weight of the user is applied to the exercise cushion EC, the applied load is accommodated (absorbed or counteracted) by the opening preventive equipment  28 . As a result, an excessive load applied to the joint face portion  21  of the core boards  11 ,  11  may be avoided. 
     The exercise cushion. EC, according to the present invention, may have the same function as a cushion that is used for a chair and/or a sofa. Thus, with the exercise cushion EC being placed on the chair and/or the sofa, the exercise cushion EC may be used as a cushion. As a result, the above mentioned various exercises may be readily performed whenever the user has an inclination to exercise (e.g., without a time-consuming set up and/or removal of exercise equipment from storage). For example, the user may exercise while sitting on the sofa, watching TV and/or focusing on some other activity (e.g., multitasking). 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  show other embodiments according to the present invention. The above mentioned embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4C  has shown an example in which the elastic members  12 ,  12  are arranged in parallel between the elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a . In some embodiments, an integrally configured elastic member  32  may be implemented between the elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a . The configuration of the core main body  10  may be similar to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , the elastic member  32  may be configured such that the cylindrical elastic members  12   a ,  12   a  are connected (linked) integrally with a coupling piece  33 . The elastic member  32  may be mounted such that the cylindrical elastic members  12   a ,  12   a  may fit into the supportive grooves  26 ,  26  shown in  FIG. 2 . The coupling piece  33  may join the upper surface of the joint face portion  21  between the supportive grooves  26 ,  26 . The coupling piece  33  may join the upper surface of the rib  19  between the joint face portion  21  and the elastic member supportive piece  11   a . The fastener  24  may be screwed (threaded) into a screw hole  34  of the elastic members  12   a ,  12   a  through the elongated hole  25  of the elastic member supportive piece  11   a . The fastener  24  may provide support for the elastic member  32  between the elastic member supportive pieces  11   a ,  11   a.    
     According to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4C , the core boards  11 ,  11  may be connected with the protruding portion  22  and the engaging groove  23  of the joint face portion  21 . A coupling force of the both core boards  11 ,  11  may be an elastic force of the elastic members  12 ,  12 , and simultaneously may be an (opposing) clamping (or compression) force (e.g., approximately 20 kg) used for the exercise of the inner thigh muscles, as shown in  FIG. 4B . As the elastic member  12  has a high degree of rubber hardness, the coupling force of the core boards  11 ,  11  may function well without any difficulty. 
     It should be noted, however, that the clamping (compression) force may vary depending on a gender, age and/or other factors of the user. When the exercise is performed with a weak clamping (compression) force, then the degree of the rubber hardness may need to be lower, the outer diameter of the cylindrical elastic members  12   a ,  12   a  may need to be smaller and/or the wall thickness thereof may need to be thinner so as to reduce the elastic force. As the coupling force of the core boards  11 ,  11  is reduced, the engagement between the protruding portion  22  and the engaging groove  23  of the joint face portion  21  may be more likely to become disengaged. When the exercise is performed by a person with a lower physical strength (e.g., not only in the case of the exercise of the inner thigh muscles, but also in the case of a pectoral exercise in which the convex portion of the exercise cushion EC is brought up to the breast of the user and the exercise cushion EC is clamped by both hands to be bent and then restored repeatedly), a smaller elastic force of the elastic member  12  may be preferable. 
     The elastic member  32  according to the present embodiment is configured such that the cylindrical elastic members  12   a ,  12   a  may be integrally coupled with the coupling piece  33 . Thus, even when the elastic force of the elastic member  32  is reduced, the elastic member  32  may still prevent the engagement between the protruding portion  22  and the engaging groove  23  from slipping off. As a result, the elastic member  32  may allow for assigning an adequate elastic force depending on a strength of a user who is to perform the exercises (e.g., whether an exercise of muscles of the inner thigh, the pectoral region and/or other exercises).