Abstract:
A device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said device adapted to provide a resistance force to the rotational movement about the elbow of the forearm towards the upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 90° at the elbow and that angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm.

Description:
[0001]     The present invention relates to aids for the development or rehabilitation of the musculature of the upper arm.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The desire to increase the muscle tone and muscular capacity of the body and specific parts of the body have led to the development of a large range of equipment designed to aid in that process. Such equipment includes weights; stretchable spring arrays and highly complex so-called exercise machines.  
         [0003]     The development of the muscles of the arm, in particular the biceps, has generally required the use of weights. These are bulky and inconvenient in many situations and do not allow a specifically useful means and method of exercise in which the range of pivotal movement of the forearm relative to the upper arm is restricted to an angle less than 90 degrees.  
         [0004]     The present invention seeks to address these disadvantages or at least provide a useful alternative.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided A device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said device adapted to provide a resistance force to the rotational movement about the elbow of the forearm towards the upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 90° at the elbow and that angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm.  
         [0006]     Preferably, said device comprises telescopically assembled inner and outer tubular elements, said tubular elements provided with end closure means at the outward ends of said tubular elements; said outer tubular element provided with an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said inner tubular element provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said collars adapted to prevent the withdrawal of said inner tubular element from said outer tubular element when said tubular elements are telescopically assembled.  
         [0007]     Preferably, a compression spring provides an extending force when installed within said telescopically assembled inner and outer tubular members, the ends of said spring acting against said closure means, said extending force urging said tubular elements into a maximum extended position, said extended position limited by contact between said collars.  
         [0008]     Preferably, said end closure means of said outer tubular member comprises an end cap, said and cap including a threaded sleeve section adapted to mate with a threaded portion at the outward end of said tubular element; said end cap adapted to allow for the insertion into said tubular members of compression springs of varying spring rates.  
         [0009]     In a particular for a Velcro strap or equivalent releaseably connected device can be utilized to attach the device to the wrist of a user.  
         [0010]     Preferably, said varying spring rates are in the ranges of 11 to 15 lb and 17 to 21 lb per inch of compression.  
         [0011]     Preferably, said end closure means of said inner tubular member is provided with a threaded sleeve portion adapted to mate with an external thread on the outside of said inner tubular member; said threaded sleeve adapted to provide adjustment means to vary the length between said end closure means.  
         [0012]     Preferably, said end closure means of said inner tubular member includes a threaded socket; said socket adapted for the attachment of a support pad adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user; said support pad provided with a resilient surface covering.  
         [0013]     Preferably, said socket is adapted for the attachment of resilient pad; said resilient pad adapted to fit into the hand of a user.  
         [0014]     Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention there is provided, a device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said device adapted to provide a resistance force to the rotational movement about the elbow of the forearm towards the upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 90° at the elbow and that angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm.  
         [0015]     Preferably, said device comprises telescopically assembled inner and outer tubular elements, said tubular elements provided with end closure means at the outward ends of said tubular elements; said outer tubular element provided with an inwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said inner tubular element provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its inward open end; said collars adapted to prevent the separation of said inner tubular element from said outer tubular element when said tubular elements are telescopically assembled.  
         [0016]     Preferably, said end closure means at the outward end of said outer tubular element is provided with a piston rod extending from said end closure means substantially the length of said outer tubular member, said piston rod ending in a piston adapted for sliding sealing movement in said inner tubular member.  
         [0017]     Preferably, said end closure means of said outer tubular member is in the form of a cap; said cap including a threaded sleeve; said sleeve mating with a threaded outward end portion of said outer tubular member; said sleeve adapted to provide adjustment of the length between said end closure means when said tubular members are in a fully extended position.  
         [0018]     Preferably, a compression spring is installed between said cap and the inwardly projecting collar of said inner tubular member; said spring providing an outward urging force biased to return said tubular members to a fully extended position.  
         [0019]     Preferably, said inner tubular member is provide with an air flow control valve positioned at said outward end of said inner tubular member.  
         [0020]     Preferably, said air control valve is adapted to variably restrict the rate of air flow from said inner tubular member when said piston is driven towards said outward end of said tubular member.  
         [0021]     Preferably, said end closure means are provided with resilient pads.  
         [0022]     Preferably, one of said end closure means is provided with strapping means adapted to secure the device to the wrist of a user.  
         [0023]     Preferably, the overall length of said device when said outer and said inner tubular members are in a fully extended position is in the range of 130 to 180 mm.  
         [0024]     Accordingly, in yet a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a device for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said device adapted to provide a resistance force to the rotational movement about the elbow of the forearm towards the upper arm and wherein said rotational movement lies between the limits of approximately an angle of 90° at the elbow and that angle between said forearm and said upper arm limited by contact between said forearm and said upper arm.  
         [0025]     Preferably, said device comprises a tubular member containing a compression spring, said expression spring acting on a piston and piston rod coaxial with said tubular member so as to urge said piston and said piston rod into a maximum extended position.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the installed length of said compression spring is adjustable so as to vary the compressive force exerted by said spring on said piston and said piston rod; said installed length defined as the length of said spring when said piston and said piston rod are in said maximum extended position.  
         [0027]     Preferably, said tubular member is provided with a shoulder yoke, said yoke adapted to support said device at the shoulder of a user; and wherein said piston rod is provided at its outer end with a wrist yoke, said yoke adapted to support said device at the wrist of said user.  
         [0028]     Preferably, said shoulder yoke is provided with adjustment means adapted to vary the distance between said shoulder yoke and said wrist yoke.  
         [0029]     Preferably, said wrist yoke is provided with strapping means adapted to secure said yoke to the wrist of a user.  
         [0030]     Preferably, said rotational movement is approximately restricted between a first angle α and a second angle equal to or less than α/2.  
         [0031]     Accordingly, in yet a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for the exercise of the musculature of the upper arm, said method including the steps of; 
        (a) the use of an exercise device providing a resistance force to the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm, said resistance force acting along the line between the shoulder and the wrist of a user;     (b) adjusting said device so that when in a relaxed state said device restricts the angle at the elbow of said user to an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees;     (c) adjusting said device so that the resistance force is within the capacity of the user to overcome in the rotational movement of the forearm towards the upper arm; said adjustment being effected by means of springs of varying spring rate or by means of varying the installed length of a compression spring;     (d) repeated reciprocal rotational movements of the forearm towards the upper arm.       
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0036]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is partially cut away perspective view of an exercise device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a partially cut away perspective view of an exercise device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a partially cut away side view of an exercise device according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention,  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a view of the device of  FIG. 3  in use 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]     A first preferred embodiment of an exercise device  10  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1  in which an outer tubular member  11  is adapted to telescopically receive an inner tubular member  12 . Both outer tubular member  11  and inner tubular masher  12  are closed at their opposite outer ends  13  and  14  respectively, with the closure means of first outer end  13  being in the form of a threaded cap  15  adapted to screw onto a threaded end portion of the tubular member  11 . Closure means of the second outer end  14  incorporates a supporting element  16  comprising a curved support  17  and a resilient cover  18  adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user. Supporting element  16  is provided with an internally threaded sleeve (not shown) mating with an external threaded end portion (not shown) of the outer surface of outer tubular member  11 , to provide access to replace the spring.  
         [0042]     Supporting element  17  is further provided with a threaded socket  25  projecting into inner tubular member  12  which is adapted to receive alternative end unit  19 .  
         [0043]     Alternative end unit  19  is comprised of a threaded shaft  20  and resilient pad  21 . When fitted with alternative end unit  19  device  10  may be operated between the two hands or between the hand and hip of a user, for example.  
         [0044]     Outer tubular member  11  is provided with an inwardly projecting retaining collar at its open end  22 . Likewise, inner tubular member  12  is provided with an outwardly projecting collar (not shown) at its open end  23 , the collars adapted to prevent the separation of inner tubular member  12  from outer tubular member  11  when the device  10  is assembled for use.  
         [0045]     A compression spring  24  acts between the outer closed ends  13  and  14  of outer tubular member  11  and inner tubular member  12  respectively, to urge the tubular members into a maximum extended condition. Springs of various spring rates may be installed in the device to provide different levels of effort required to force the telescopic compression of inner tubular member  12  into outer tubular member  11 . Preferred spring rates are in the range of 11 to 15 lb and 17 to 21 b per inch of compression.  
         [0046]     A preferred arrangement of outer tubular member  11  and inner tubular member  12  allows for a reciprocating telescopic movement of compression and extension of the order of 75 mm. An important feature of the operation of the device is that it should be adjusted to suit a user so that it is the rotational limitation of the user&#39;s arm as the forearm contacts the bicep rather than the limit of travel of the telescoping elements of the device which defines the limit of compression stroke when the device is in use. When fully extended and placed between the wrist and the shoulder the adjusted length of the device should define an angle at the elbow of approximately 90°.  
         [0047]     In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, an exercise device  100  has again telescopically associated outer tubular member  101  and inner tubular member  102  closed at their outer ends by closure means  103  and  104  respectively.  
         [0048]     Outer tubular member  101  is provided with an inwardly projecting retaining collar at its open end  105 . Likewise, inner tubular member  102  is provided with an outwardly projecting collar at its end  106 , the collars adapted to prevent the separation of inner tubular member  102  from outer tubular member  101  when device  100  is ass assembled for use.  
         [0049]     The closure means  103  of outer tubular member  101  is in the form of a screw-on cap  107  which in turn is connected to a piston rod  108  ending in piston  109 . Screw-on cap  107  is formed with an extended threaded sleeve section to allow for a range of adjustment in the position of cap  107  at the outer end  103  of outer tubular member  101 . When the cap  107  is at a first engaged position, that is at its outermost location on outer tubular member  101 , and inner and outer tubular members  101  and  102  are at their maximum extension as allowed by their respective collars, piston  109  is just located within the end  111  of inner tubular member  102 .  
         [0050]     A compression spring  112  is adapted to act between cap  107  of the outer tubular member  101  and the outwardly projecting collar of the inner tubular member  102  so as to urge the tubular members  101  and  102  into a maximum extended position. In this embodiment the force exerted by spring  112  is only sufficient to return the tubular members to that maximum extended-position.  
         [0051]     Piston  109  is adapted to slide within inner tubular member  102  and is provided with sealing means to allow for the compression of the air column between the piston  109  and the closed ouster end  104  of inner tubular member  102 . Inner tubular member  102  is provided at its outer end  104  with flow restriction valve  114 . Valve  114  is pro vided with control means whereby the rat of flow of air through the valve may be varied, thereby varying the amount of force required to drive piston  109  towards the end  104  of inner tubular member  102 . The open end  105  of outer tubular member  101  may be provided with a slot (not shown) so as to accommodate flow restriction valve  114  when the device is driven to maximum compression.  
         [0052]     The outer end  113  of inner tubular member  102  and the cap  107  of outer tubular member  101  are provided with resilient pads  115 . Optionally, cap  107  may be provided with a strap adapted to pass around the wrist of a user. As a further option, the device may be supplied with an interchangeable end pad in the form of a curved pad adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user.  
         [0053]     In yet a further embodiment of an exercise device according to the invention, there is provided with reference to  FIG. 4  an exercise device  200  comprising a piston  220  and piston rod  221  telescopically sliding in tubular member  222 . Located inside tubular member  222  between at first end  223  of tubular member  222  an the piston  220  is a compression spring  224  so disposed as to provide an outwardly urging force to the piston  220  and piston rod  221 .  
         [0054]     In a preferred different as shown in  FIG. 2 , first end  223  of tubular member  222  is provided with spring compression adjustment means  225  so as to vary the urging force of spring  224  on piston  220  and piston rod  221 . Spring compression adjustment means  225  comprises an adjustment knob  226 , threaded shaft  227  and adjustment piston  228 . Rotation of adjustment knob  226  causes axial displacement of adjustment piston  228  as threaded shaft  227  rotates in threaded bush  229  fixed in first tubular member end  223 , thereby modifying the installed length ‘L’ of compression spring  224  and the compression force required to urge piston rod  221  and piston  220  inwardly.  
         [0055]     Attached towards first end  223  of tubular member  222  is shoulder yoke  230  adapted to fit against the shoulder of a user  231  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Similarly, at outer end  232  of piston rod  221  is wrist yoke  233 . Both shoulder yoke  230  and wrist yoke  233  are provided with resilient pads  234  for the comfort of the user  231 . In a preferred embodiment wrist yoke  233  is provided with securing strap  235  adapted to loop around the wrist of user  231 . Preferably securing strap  235  is provided with self securing surface means such as Velcrose strips so as to provide convenient variable adjustment of the strap around the wrist of a user.  
         [0056]     In a further preferred embodiment the device is provided with adjustment means  236  so that the position of shoulder yoke  230  is adjustable between a first position adjacent to first end  223  of tubular member  222  and selectable positions  237  along a portion of the length of the tubular member. This enables the overall length ‘OL’ between the shoulder yoke and the wrist yoke to be varied to suit the preference and the size of a particular user and adapt the device to its intended range of movement, that is the pivotal movement of the forearm relative to the upper arm through an acute angle. By way of example, the adjustment means may consist of a length of adjusting rail  238  attached to the underside of tabular member  222 , the rail provided with a series of discreet holes  239  allowing the shoulder yoke to be secured at any selected hole position, for example by a detent pin.  
         [0057]     In use, the device is adjusted so as to define a distance ‘L’ between shoulder yoke  230  and wrist yoke  233  to suit a particular user. Distance ‘L’ should be such as to restrict the angle α where α=/&lt;90° at the elbow when the device is in a relaxed state. After adjusting the compression force of compression spring  224  positioning the device between shoulder and wrist, the user rotates the forearm so as to reduce the distance ‘L’ to approximately