Patent Publication Number: US-2021169724-A1

Title: Upper Body Attachment Apparatus for Whole Body Vibration Equipment

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
     This application is a continuation application claiming the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 15/601,631, filed May 22, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 13/659,513, filed Oct. 24, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,655,802, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/551,696, filed Oct. 26, 2011, now expired, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/660,368, filed Jun. 15, 2012, now expired. All of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of whole body vibration exercise equipment. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an attachment for whole body vibration exercise equipment that allows for the transfer of vibration to and through the attachment and targets and provides directed, specific, targeted vibration to muscle groups involving the torso, upper or lower extremities or the upper and lower body as distinct regions depending upon the desired focus of the therapist or end user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, exercise equipment manufacturers have introduced machines having whole body vibration (WBV) technology. The idea behind WBV technology is to impart vibrations to the human body, oftentimes as an individual is exercising, stretching, or being massaged. The frequency of WBV technology ranges to some degree, but manufacturers typically utilize frequencies between 20 and 70 hertz (Hz). The benefits of using WBV technology have been shown to include improved muscle tissue, arthritis relief, hormone stimulation, improved blood flow, improved bone density, and general rehabilitative therapy for joints, ligaments, tendons, and the like. However, it is believed that still more benefits have yet to be recognized. 
     In the brief history of WBV exercise machine technology, manufacturers have designed WBV machines that provide a vibrating platform on which users sit or stand while exercising or stretching. These WBV machines typically provide a handrail similar to those seen on an elliptical machine or a treadmill. These handrails, though, do not vibrate and are not intended to provide WBV. Rather, these handrails are intended to serve as a means for stabilizing the user while exercising, stretching, standing, etc. As a result, the effects of the vibration are substantially limited to the user&#39;s feet, or legs at best. Thus, existing WBV machines do not necessarily provide “whole” body vibration, but merely provide general, unfocused vibration from only the platform of the device. 
     One more-recent piece of exercise equipment that attempts to implement WBV technology is a climbing machine. The climbing machine provides two steps for a user&#39;s feet and two handles for a user&#39;s hands. In one mode, the user may perform a basic climbing motion by sliding his or her left and right extremities up and down (perhaps in a somewhat circular motion) on an alternating basis. Regardless of which mode is used, the climbing machine can vibrate the steps, handles, or steps and handles as a user stands on the ground or the steps. In the alternative, the user may sit on a vibrating seat. 
     One of the disadvantages with the climbing machine, though, like other WBV machines, is that the climbing machine cannot offer the user a WBV experience that targets the upper body. Although the handles of the climbing machine may vibrate, the user&#39;s weight is still supported by his or her legs, whether standing on the ground, standing on the steps, or sitting on a chair. Thus, in contrast to the experience a vibrating foot plate provides to a user&#39;s lower torso, no meaningful vibrations are imparted from the handles of the climbing machine to the user&#39;s upper torso. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to have exercise equipment that offers a user a WBV experience that can target the lower and upper body either together or separately and provide a meaningful WBV experience. The present invention solves this and other disadvantages of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment for whole body vibration (WBV) exercising, stretching, or massaging equipment wherein the attachment can transfer vibrations from the equipment to handles that are appropriately shaped and positioned for upper body exercise, stretching, or massage. In effect, the attachment imparts the vibrations of the WBV equipment to the body of users in a targeted and specific manner for maximum stimulation of the tissues directly associated with the attachment. 
     While many possible design configurations exist, the attachment may in one embodiment include one or more of a base, a pair of uprights, a crossbar, lower handles, and an upper handlebar. The base of the attachment may be generally rectangular shaped, with fastener plates or other points of attachment extending from the base. In the alternative, the points of attachment may extend directly through members of the base. Further, the pair of uprights may extend generally upward from the base, supported by diagonal support members. The pair of uprights may be spaced apart enough such that a user of the equipment and attachment could fit and move comfortably between the uprights. The crossbar, moreover, may be secured to top ends of the uprights, providing rigidity to the uprights. 
     Various types of handles may be slidably attached to the crossbar or to the uprights. The handles may be slidably attached so that a user can adjust the height of the handles depending on the desired exercise and/or the user&#39;s physique. One exemplary handle is the upper handlebar, which may extend generally between the pair of uprights. The upper handlebar is positionable above the head of the user and may be ideal for pull-ups and rehabilitative shoulder therapy, for example. The lower handles may allow the user to perform different exercises targeting the upper body, such as dips, for example, which target triceps brachii muscles. 
     Further, the attachment for WBV exercising, stretching, or massaging equipment can include interchangeable handles, bars, pads, supports, fulcrums, and other devices that can be attached to the attachment support frame, which is attached to the WBV exercise machine to achieve specific desired training objectives. These interchangeable devices are specifically used to assist in normalizing or improving exercising, stretching, or massaging capabilities, for example, abnormal biomechanics and postural alterations of the human skeleton, such as both extremities and the spine. Specific positioning of these various interchangeable devices will allow the user to perform isometric exercises under load while simultaneously under the effects of the WBV exercise machine. Specific attachments can also be used to address spinal instabilities and weaknesses by targeting specific musculature or joint complexes. 
     Additionally, various devices, such as weights or other forms of resistance, can be connected to the attachment support frame to be used in conjunction with the WBV exercise machine. As an example, this configuration will allow a physician or a therapist to assist a patient or user to create specific forces that affect targeted spinal structures. These structures can include ligaments, tendons, muscles, discs, and other structures affected by abnormal biomechanics 
     In one embodiment, the attachment may also include an upper diagonal support that attaches the crossbar to a stabilization handrail of the WBV exercise machine. Notably, the upper diagonal support may prevent the upper portion of the attachment from swaying while also allowing the upper portion of the attachment to vibrate as intended. To allow for such a limited range of motion, the upper diagonal support may be attached to the crossbar and the stabilization handrail with rubber bushings. The rubber bushings may help prevent the upper diagonal support from damping intended vibrations in the upper portion of the attachment, but may also prevent the upper portion of the attachment from swaying. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a piece of WBV exercising, stretching, and/or massaging equipment that imparts vibrations in handles that are appropriately-shaped and positioned for exercising, stretching, and/or massaging the upper body. Thus, the present disclosure is applicable to more than after-market applications. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present teachings will become apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and from reviewing the accompanying drawings and photographs, where: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an upper body attachment for whole body vibration apparatuses. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the upper body attachment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a top view of the upper body attachment of  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         FIG. 1D  is a back view of the upper body attachment of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lower handle that is slidable along a vertical member of the upper body attachment of  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an upper handle that is slidable along vertical members of the upper body attachment of  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary whole body vibration (WBV) machine to which the upper body attachment of  FIGS. 1A-1D  may be attached. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the base of the upper body attachment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure concerns an attachment for whole body vibration (WBV) exercise equipment. The attachment is intended to utilize WBV technology to enable users of the equipment to exercise, stretch, or massage their upper bodies. The present disclosure also contemplates embodiments wherein the attachment is integral with and/or original to the exercise equipment as initially sold by a manufacturer. In other words, the disclosed attachment is not limited to use solely as an accessory or an after-market product. 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D , which are not drawn to scale, show numerous views of an attachment  100  for exercise equipment utilizing WBV technology. Specifically,  FIG. 1A  provides a perspective view of the attachment  100 ,  FIG. 1B  provides a side view of the attachment  100 ,  FIG. 1C  provides a top view of the attachment  100 , and  FIG. 1D  provides a back view of the attachment  100 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A-1D , the attachment  100  may be formed from a number of structural supports and handles. In particular, one embodiment of the attachment  100  may generally include a base  102 , uprights  104 , a crossbar  106 , lower diagonal supports  108 , lower handles  110 , an upper handlebar  112 , points of attachment  114 , and an upper diagonal support  116 . The disclosed attachment  100  is not limited to the specific embodiments described and shown herein. 
     Considering the uprights  104 , for example: the uprights  104  need not necessarily be generally orthogonal to the base  102 ; the uprights  104  need not necessarily be generally straight; or a single structure or more than two structures may act as the uprights  104 . In short, the present disclosure contemplates forming the attachment  100  in a multitude of different ways. 
     In one embodiment, the base  102  may take on a generally rectangular shape. Because the base  102  may be attached to a piece of WBV exercise equipment (example shown in  FIG. 4 ), as described below, the points of attachment  114  may affix to the base  102 . In the alternative, the base  102  itself could include the points of attachment  114 . For example, apertures could be formed in the members of the base  102  such that fasteners could extend through the base  102  and into the WBV exercise equipment, or vise versa. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D , however, the points of attachment  114  may have apertures  118  for receiving fasteners (not shown) to couple or affix the base  102  of the attachment  100  to the piece of WBV exercise equipment. In some embodiments, the base  102  may lay flush against the piece of WBV exercise equipment. In other embodiments, the base  102  may contact the piece of WBV exercise equipment only at or near the points of attachment  114 . 
     The uprights  104  may extend generally upward from the base  102 . In some embodiments, the uprights  104  may be fastened generally orthogonal to the base  102 . In other embodiments, the uprights  104  may be welded generally orthogonal to the base  102 . In still other embodiments, the uprights  104  may not necessarily be generally orthogonal to the base  102 . Nonetheless, the uprights  104  may be supported by one or more lower diagonal supports  108  also extending from the base  102 . The lower diagonal supports  108  may likewise be fastened or welded to the base  102  and are intended to support the uprights  104  and, in general, the vertically-extending portion of the attachment  100 . Further, ends  120  of the uprights  104  may be attached to the crossbar  106  of the attachment  100 . The crossbar  106  may also be fastened or welded to the ends  120  of the uprights  104 . Regardless of the mode of fastening the attachment  100  of the present disclosure to the WBV exercise equipment, the purpose is to transfer the vibration from the WBV exercise equipment to and through the attachment  100 . 
     Although the upper diagonal support  116  of the attachment  100  is described further below, the upper diagonal support  116  may provide a further point of attachment  122  to the WBV exercise equipment and an adjustment feature (not shown) for providing further compatibility with a variety of WBV exercise machines. The upper diagonal support  116  may be attached to the crossbar  106  at roughly a mid-point  124  of the crossbar  106  between the ends  120  of the uprights  104 . 
     The materials used for members of the attachment  100  may be any metal (e.g., aluminum) or metal alloy. However, several design factors are worth considering when selecting materials. For one, the material(s) selected for the members of the attachment  100  should be capable of efficiently transferring vibrations from the WBV exercise machine, which may be positioned at or near the base  102  of the attachment  100 , to the top of the attachment  100  near the crossbar  106  and ends  120  of the uprights  104 . Second, the material(s) selected should not be too heavy so as to strain or overburden the motor(s) of the WBV exercise equipment. One exemplary material that meets these design criteria is 80/20 aluminum. 
     As described above, the attachment  100  provides a variety of ways in which a user may stretch, exercise, or massage or otherwise stimulate for specific effect, portions of the upper body while points of contact, i.e., where the user grips the WBV machine and/or the attachment  100 ) vibrate, unlike traditional WBV exercise equipment. Further, the attachment  100  may provide stimulation of microcirculation and macrocirculation, as well as improved lymphatic drainage. 
     In particular, the attachment  100  allows for a number of weight-bearing and/or weight-suspending exercises that are not possible with traditional WBV exercise equipment. The adjustability of the lower handles  110  and the upper handlebar  112 , as described below with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , further extends these possibilities. 
     The lower handles  110  allow a user to perform the “dips” exercise. As the user bears his or her body weight through his or her arms and onto the lower handles  110 , the base  102  attached to a WBV exercise machine transfers vibrations up through the uprights  104 , into the lower handles  110 , and thus into an upper body of the user. 
     Another exemplary exercise that the user can perform via the lower handles  110  is push-ups. If the user elevates his or her feet on an object, such as a chair or bed, for example, and grips the lower handles  110  in his or her hands, the user may perform push-ups as vibrations are imparted through the user&#39;s upper body. With this exercise, the user can control the amount of weight that is placed onto the lower handles  110  by further elevating or lowering the height where his or her feet or positioned. This in turn allows the user to control the amount of vibration that is experienced in his or her upper body. 
     Still another exercise, namely, “leg lifts,” can be performed if the lower handles  110  are modified with some cushioning and formed in an “L” shape. One way to modify the lower handle  110  for this capability—while maintaining the functionality of the lower handle  110  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D —is to place padding and an “L” extension on the lower side of the lower handles  110 . When the user wishes to perform leg lifts, the user may unclip the lower handles  110 , turn them upside down, and attach each to the opposite upright  104 . As such, the cushioning and “L” extension faces upwards. 
     Moreover, the upper handlebar  112  may be lowered, and an optional backrest may be attached thereto. Then, the user may place the underside of his or her forearms on the cushioning while gripping the “L” extension of the lower handles  110  and resting his or her back against the backrest attached to the upper handlebar  112 . As vibrations are imparted from the lower handles  110  to the user&#39;s arms, shoulders, and upper torso, the user may perform leg lifts, which further exercise the abdomen. 
     The present disclosure contemplates still other exercises with the lower handles  110 , especially if the lower handles  110  are modified to hold weights. In such an embodiment, the attachment  100  would enable a user to perform dead lifts, shoulder shrugs, and countless other weight-bearing exercises that incorporate WBV. 
     With regard to the upper handlebar  106 , when positioned near the crossbar  106  as shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D , the upper handlebar  106  may likewise impart vibrations upon a user&#39;s upper body. The primary difference here is that the user is either suspending his or her weight from, or at least reaching upwards to grip, the upper handlebar  106 . As mere examples of the utility of the upper handlebar  106 , the user may perform pull-ups and shoulder rehabilitation exercises. The user could even lower the upper handlebar  106  enough to use it to perform push-ups, similar to how the lower handles  110  are used for performing push-ups. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , the lower handles  110  may be slidably fastened to the uprights  104  such that users of the attachment can adjust the height of the lower handles  110  depending on the desired exercise and the user&#39;s physique. The manner in which the lower handle  110  is attached to the upright  104  is not critical. In  FIG. 2 , for example, a clamp  150  fastens the lower handle  110  to the upright  104 . A rotatable fastener  152  allows the user to tighten and loosen the clamp  150  having slightly deformable internal layers  154  about the upright  104 . Further, the slightly deformable internal layers  154  may have a protrusion (not shown) that is received by a slotted track  156  in the upright  104 . The slotted tracks  156  allow the clamps  150  to slide up and down the uprights  104  when the clamps are loosened. Similar clamps  150  are shown in  FIG. 3 , except that these clamps  150  slidably fasten the upper handlebar  112  to the uprights  104 . 
     As described above, interchangeable handles, bars, pads, supports, fulcrums, and other devices can be connected or joined to the attachment to achieve specific training objectives. These interchangeable devices can be specifically used to assist in normalizing or improving exercising, stretching, or massaging capabilities, for example, abnormal biomechanics and postural alterations of the human skeleton, such as both extremities and the spine. Specific positioning of these various interchangeable devices will allow the user to perform isometric exercises under load while simultaneously under the effects of the vibrations from the WBV machine. Specific attachments can also be used to address spinal instabilities and weaknesses by targeting specific musculature or joint complexes. 
     Further, devices, such as weights or other forms of resistance, can be connected to the attachment support frame to be used in conjunction with the WBV machine. As an example, this configuration will allow a physician or a therapist to assist a patient or user to create specific forces that affect targeted spinal structures, including ligaments, tendons, muscles, discs, and other structures affected by abnormal biomechanics. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , one exemplary WBV exercise machine  180 , with which the attachment  100  is compatible, is shown as generally including a vibrating plate  182 , receiving slots  184 , and a stabilization handle  186 . As described above, in one embodiment, the base of the attachment may be secured to the vibrating plate  182  by placing fasteners through the points of attachment on the base and into the receiving slots  184  in the vibrating plate  182 . Once secured, vibrations in the vibrating plate will be imparted to the base and other portions of the attachment. 
     Still further, most existing WBV exercise machines, like that shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, include a stabilization handle near a user&#39;s chest. In one embodiment, the point of attachment of the upper diagonal support may be selectively attached to the stabilization handle  186  shown in  FIG. 4 . Securing the upper diagonal support to the stabilization handle  186  of the WBV exercise equipment helps prevent the attachment from swaying when in use. Moreover, the adjustment feature of the upper diagonal support may allow the length of the upper diagonal support to become shorter or longer. In the alternative, the adjustment feature may merely move the point of attachment in relation to the rest of the attachment. In any event, the adjustment feature allows the attachment to be compatible with a high percentage of existing WBV exercise machines. 
     As described above, the upper diagonal support may serve to prevent, or at least reduce, sway in the upper portion of the attachment. In some embodiments, though, the upper diagonal support must not inhibit vibrations that are intended to occur in the upper portion of the attachment. Thus, in some embodiments, the upper diagonal support must prevent sway and simultaneously allow for intended vibrations in the upper portion of the attachment. Put another way, the upper diagonal support must allow only for a limited range of movement in the upper portion of the attachment. While perhaps several design approaches could accomplish this need, one possible approach involves using a rubber bushing where the upper diagonal support is attached to the stabilization handle  186 , where the upper diagonal support is attached to the crossbar, or at both locations. As for the type and number of bushings, design considerations may include the height of the crossbar above the vibrating plate  182  of the WBV exercise machine  180 , the frequency at which the WBV exercise machine  180  operates, and the weight limit for users of the WBV exercise machine, for example. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, an accessory device or appliance can be connected or joined to a WBV machine, for example at the handles. When used in this manner, the WBV machine would not specifically convey vibration to the user&#39;s body. Instead, this alternative embodiment allows the user to position or configure the body, based upon advice or direction from a physician or technician, to take full advantage of the vibration form the WBV machine, while performing posture-reflection exercises using isometric means. This combination of the accessory device along with the WBV machine will increase substantially the effects of the WBV machine on postural muscles or accessory and supportive muscles and muscle groups. This advantage is obtained because all of the weight bearing muscles are incorporated simultaneously, thereby producing optimum recruitment of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. 
     The accessory or appliance device can also be attached directly to the attachment support frame of the present disclosure to provide for transmission of targeted vibration through the accessory device when the desired effect of the device is used as a fulcrum or pivot point, for example, for the cervical or lumbar spine, or when the objective is to address biomechanical compromise of the shoulder girdle, requiring a fulcrum about which rotation of the affected area (i.e., cervical, lumbar, shoulder or hip) during the performance of rehabilitative exercise. 
     In these instances, the transmission of vibration through the WBV machine through the accessory device provides additional stimulation of the affected tissues, while performing exercise training for the purposes of rehabilitation, reorientation and normalization of the biomechanics of the respective joint. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5 , struts or frame foot members  130  are located on the base  102  of the attachment  100 . The struts  130  can be made of any supportive material, such as metal, wood, plastic, etc. however, for the best performance, the struts  130  are made of the same material as the base  102 . These struts  130  can be attached to the base  102  in a number of ways, however, to provide the most vibration, the struts  130  are attached to the base  102  using screws. The bottom of the struts  130  can be coated in a rubberized material or have pieces of rubber or foam attached thereto to reduce or eliminate noise due to vibration and also to reduce or eliminate scratching of the WBV exercise machine  180 . Further, the entire base  102  of the attachment  100  can likewise be coated or have material attached thereto to protect the WBV exercise machine  180  from scratches and damage due to the weight of the attachment  100  when being placed on the WBV exercise machine  180  or moved into place. 
     Once the struts  130  are attached to the base  102 , the base  102  contains two additional pieces that tie the base together for structural support. Further, when the user stands on the struts  130 , the load generated by the user is placed on the base  102  of the attachment  100 , and not on the WBV exercise machine  180 . This additional strut or foot pieces  130  will further protect the WBV exercise machine  180  from heavy loads, since the attachment (through the struts  130  and the other supports described herein) is absorbing the entire (or almost entire) load. 
     Although numerous embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the disclosed system and methods. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed system and methods as defined in the appended claims.