Patent Publication Number: US-9415255-B2

Title: Off-set weighted exercise method and apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/168,473, entitled “Adjustable Weighted Back Pack for Therapeutic or Performance Based Exercise,” filed Apr. 10, 2009, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference for all that it teaches and discloses. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Weighted vests have been introduced for increasing a load during therapeutic or performance based exercise. Added weight during an exercise program increases a user&#39;s heart rate and places greater demand on a user&#39;s muscles and bones. The benefits of these apparatuses include increased cardio function, improved body mass index, increased strength, and improved bone density. Weighted vests allow the user to complete functional tasks such as walking and balancing with increased weight, thereby strengthening the user and allowing the user to perform these tasks with more ease under non-weighted conditions. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is an adjustable weighted exercise apparatus which in one implementation may include a base frame assembly attachable to a strap assembly for connection to a user, the base frame assembly including a base frame; a weight support member connected to the base frame and disposed to maintain a weight at a distance from the user. In some implementations, the weight support member may be further connected to at least one support bar connected to the base frame. A method hereof may include enhancing exercise of a body including disposing a weight at a distance from a user&#39;s body; and, exercising the user&#39;s body. 
     The foregoing specific aspects and advantages of the present developments are illustrative of those which can be achieved by these developments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, those and other aspects and advantages of these developments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the disclosure hereof, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variations which may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, in addition to the exemplary aspects and implementations described above, further aspects and implementations will become apparent by reference to and by study of the following descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  provides an isometric view of an entire exercise assembly hereof including a frame, a backpack assembly, and a rotatable weight supporting member; 
         FIG. 2 , which includes sub-part  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , provides side elevational views of an implementation hereof in use; 
         FIG. 3  provides an isometric view of the frame including a rotatable weight support member and a rotatable bar support sub-assembly of an implementation hereof; 
         FIG. 4  provides a side elevational view of the frame including the rotatable weight support member and the rotatable bar support sub-assembly; 
         FIG. 5  provides a rear elevational view of the frame including the rotatable weight support member, and the rotatable bar support sub-assembly; 
         FIG. 6  provides an isometric view of a frame including a rotatable weight support member and a rotatable bar support sub-assembly in a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 7 , which includes sub-part  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , provides side elevational views of an implementation hereof; 
         FIG. 8 , which includes sub-part  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   , provides side elevational views of an alternative implementation hereof; 
         FIG. 9 , which includes sub-part  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b   , provides side elevational views of another alternative implementation hereof; 
         FIG. 10  provides a side elevational view of another alternative implementation hereof; 
         FIG. 11  provides a side elevational view of another alternative implementation hereof; and, 
         FIG. 12  provides a method according hereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an adjustable weighted backpack method and apparatus typically configured to provide a weight disposed at a distance from the user&#39;s body; the weight in some implementations providing a directed pressure on the mid body creating increased core muscle recruitment when used for therapeutic or performance based exercise. 
     There is currently a trend in both rehabilitation and performance based exercise to strengthen the core musculature including the abdominals and gluteals. Conventional weighted vests provide weight distribution on all sides of a user&#39;s core area or trunk such that the user experiences joint compression similar to a person who has gained weight. Contrarily, a weighted pack with an unequal distribution of weight between the posterior and the anterior of the body can cause a shift in the center of gravity of the person thereby creating a muscular reaction to maintain balance in static standing exercises and in dynamic functional activities. An adjustable weighted backpack with a weight force disposed away from the body allows the user to focus on the core musculature or other desired muscle groups while completing exercise regimens. When the weight of the backpack is positioned at a distance from the posterior of the user, the abdominals and other core and other muscles must work to maintain balance. The muscular demand increases with other changes such as positioning of the body, for example bent slightly forward or backward at the hips, or with changes of the walking surface e.g., uphill or downhill. 
     The developments hereof relate to an adjustable weighted backpack apparatus typically configured to provide a weight disposed at or worn at a distance away from the user&#39;s body. This may provide a directed pressure on the body creating increased muscle recruitment when used for therapeutic or performance based exercise. The present development allows the wearer of the apparatus to wear the weight disposed at a distance away from the body to cause the muscles to have pressure applied at different angles thus causing contractions of the core and other muscles of the body to maintain balance. Additionally, wearing the apparatus simultaneously increases the weight bearing capacity of the muscles involved in any of the exercises performed. 
     As generally shown in  FIG. 1 , an implementation of a adjustably weighted exercise apparatus  10 , as such may typically be used in therapeutic and/or performance based exercise, may have a frame sub-assembly  12  connectable or connected, as shown here, to a backpack sub-assembly  14 . The frame sub-assembly  12  may have a weight support member  16  which is mounted on the frame  15 . In this implementation the weight support member is rotatable and ins connected to the frame member  15  by a hinge  18  (shown better in  FIG. 4 ). The backpack sub-assembly  14  may have a shoulder harness  20  and a lumbar support harness  22  attached to a body portion  21  which allows the user to securely attach the entire adjustable weighted backpack assembly  10  to the user&#39;s body (note, it may be in some implementations that one or more straps are attached directly to the frame  15 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a user  11  may have an apparatus  10  attached for use. The Apparatus  10  maintains the weight  42  at a distance D from the user. In one simplified form, a method hereof, see method  80  of  FIG. 12 , may include disposing the weight on a user with a distance set thereby, per operation  82 , and then exercising the user, per operation  84 . A backpack is adjustable to fit snuggly upon the hips at the anterior superior ilium. The shoulder harness may be adjustable to the height of the user to accommodate the length of the trunk of the individual. The user selects the desired weight to attach to the rotatable weight support member. The user can position and secure the rotatable weight support member to the desired angle which moves and maintains the weight a desired distance from the body to increase or decrease the change in the center of gravity which stresses the body muscles in different ways. The user wears the backpack for exercise programs including a treadmill, walking, hiking, stair climber, elliptical, aerobic conditioning class or other suitable exercise regime. 
     In the depiction of the of the frame sub-assembly in  FIG. 3 , a rotatable weight support member  16  is shown disposed on the rotatable weight support member  16  by top hinge  18 , which is fastened to the frame element  15  of sub-assembly  12 . It may be noted that this rotatable connection is at or near the top of frame  15 ; however, it could be at the bottom (see e.g.,  FIG. 8  described further below), or at another location. The rotatable weight support member  16  may be rotated on the rotatable weight support member top hinge  18  to different positions (not shown in  FIG. 3 , but see  FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 ). The rotatable weight support member hereby allows the weight to be positioned at different distances and/or angles from the body. As shown in  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    alternative angles and thus distances may be provided, one alternative in  FIG. 7 b    and two in  7   a  (support arms are shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 7 a   ). The weight attaching members  24 ,  26 ,  28  and  30  are disposed of on the rotatable weight support member  16 . The weight attaching members  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30  allow for the loading of weight. Weighted plates  42  are slid in to place on the weight attaching members  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30 . Increased weight or increased distance from the back creates increased muscular demand. The weights may be variable in size as for example in increments of 5 pounds, 5, 10, 15, or otherwise. 
     In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 , a rotatable weight support member  16  can be supported by a bar support sub-assembly  32  which in this version is a rotatable sub-assembly. This sub-assembly includes a support hinge  34  and a first support bar  36  and a second support bar  38  (support bar  38  is not shown in  FIG. 4 , but see  FIG. 5 ). In this the support bar may be U-shaped or the support bar may be two discrete individual bars  36  and  39 , see  FIG. 5 , that are inserted into the elongated slots (The bottom of the U-shape may be fixed or attached to the frame  15  or upside down and in the weight supporting member  16 ). The support bars  36  and  39  can be positioned to hold the rotatable weight support member  16  at different distances and at different angles from the user&#39;s body. The support bar  36  has one end disposed at the support hinge  34  and other end of the support bar is disposed of in the elongated slot  38 . (In an alternative embodiment, not shown, only one support bar is connected to only one hinge at the base of the frame, with the other end disposed in the elongated slot.) In an implementation hereof according to  FIG. 4 , the elongated slot  38  may possess one or more or a series of notches  40 . The notches  40  allow the rotatable weight support member  16  to be positioned and secured at a determined distance and angle from the frame  15 . The support bar  36  may also create or provide a transfer of force of the positioned weight to the user&#39;s body at a desirable body location so that the user&#39;s muscles must counter the force in order to maintain balance. 
       FIG. 5  shows both support bars  36  and  39 . In this both bars are in an extended position such as that shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , and are holding the rotatable support member  16  off of the frame  15 . Additionally,  FIG. 5  shows support hinge  35  that is located on the opposite side of base frame assembly  12  from support hinge  34  which was shown and described relative to  FIG. 4 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , the frame sub-assembly  12  is shown with the support bar  36  in a retracted position and the rotatable support bar-assembly  32  collapsed in toward and adjacent the frame sub-assembly  12 . In this position the distance D from  FIG. 2  has been greatly reduced, and although still useful, is less so than a further extended position of the weight  42  away from the frame  15 . 
     As introduced above, a variety of alternative structures may implement the apparatuses hereof. Structures described herein may come in different forms. Thus the frame sub-assembly may be constructed differently or be adapted differently to the overall weighted backpack assembly. Moreover, though structures have been shown and described in some detail herein, the scope and content hereof is not so limited, and instead may include alternative structures. Still furthermore, the connection mechanisms hereof are illustrative only as well, and not limitative of the scope and content hereof. Other connection mechanisms may be used to the same or substantially the same effect and thus be covered hereby. 
     As introduced above, a variety of alternative structures may implement the apparatuses hereof. As shown in  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b   , in an alternative, the weight support member  16  can be rotatable from the bottom of frame  15  and can thus move away from the user&#39;s body from the shoulders rather than the waist. As such it may be or may appear that the whole assembly is upside down, e.g., frame  15  up-turned and hinge  18  at the bottom. Note, it may be that there is no actual hinge, but rather for example a leaved fold out member not unlike that found in expandible brief cases. Note, also, that the members disposing the weight at a distance from the body may be static and not expandable or collapsible. Such an incarnation is shown in  FIG. 9 , which has the weight  42  disposed at a distance from the frame  15 . One or more bars may be used for this, as for example the shown, extension bar  16   a  which may be used alone or with another member or bar  16   b , which also may be used alone or with bar  16   a . In the implementation of  FIG. 9 , it may be that there is no variability, as for example in  FIG. 9 a   , fixed weight, fixed distance and the like; however, it also may just be the amount of weight is variable, as for example shown by the dashed line weights  42   a  in  FIG. 9 b   . This version has been found interesting with the weight 12 inches from the body (see the table, Table 1, below 
     Additional weight attaching members could be disposed on the rotatable weight support member. The weights could slide into packs that are attached to the rotatable weight support member instead of sliding on to weight attaching members.). The weights could slide into packs that are attached to a rotatable member or a static posterior positioned bar. The weight alternative could be in the form of weighted tubes or flat member that slide in to sleeves or pockets (see pockets  30   a  in  FIG. 10 ; pockets  30   a  could be round or flat depending upon the weights to be used) fitted for the tubes or flats as opposed to weight plates that fit on the weight attaching members. Additionally, an additional apparatus could hold the entire rotatable weight support member which could be enclosed to use for storage of other items. The weights could be chambers to be filled by the user with sand or water. Additionally, the entire rotatable weight support member could be enclosed for use of a water dispensing apparatus by the user. 
     Apparatuses hereof may be made by any of a variety of materials. In many instances, a polymer may be the most likely material for the frame sub-assembly. The backpack sub-assembly may be made from cloth and foam and may have reinforced stitching. The backpack sub-assembly may also be made from canvas, nylon, or leather. Metal or other suitably hard material may form the weight supporting members, hinges, and weight supporting members. Shapes and sizes are not limited to those shown and described here either, as sizes and shapes may be selected to adapt to any of many alternative structures. 
     The assembly for attaching to a user may be a backpack (typically without pockets, though could be weight bearing pouches as shown in  FIG. 10 ) as shown in  FIG. 1 , or the assembly may be such as to otherwise strap or connect to a user&#39;s body. One or more straps  20  may be used; a single strap such as a bike messenger bag strap; or strap wrapped around the torso; or, two or more straps, as in two shoulder straps, and/or an abdominal belt or like connection device  22 . These may be connected to a back pack body portion  21  as in  FIG. 1 , or may be more directly connected to the frame  15  as shown or indicated by  FIG. 11 . 
     EXAMPLE 
     Methods 
     In this study, the weighted backpack was tested at multiple weights in several movement conditions. The heavy pack (35 lbs), light pack (17 lbs), control weighted pack (17 lbs), and unweighted control were worn during normal walking, incline walking, upstairs walking, and downstairs walking. Subjects were instructed to maintain a self-moderated steady walking pace in an upright position for all trials. The electrical activity, EMG, data was collected on the tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, gluteus medius, external obliques, and rectus abdominus. EMG was measured by pre-amplified Ag/AgCl surface electrodes (Noraxon, Scottsdale, Ariz.) with a wireless transmitter (Noraxon, Scottsdale, Ariz.) and collected on a Dell notebook PC via a data acquisition card (DAQ-card) and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (Noraxon, Scottsdale, Ariz.). During each testing condition, all muscles were recorded simultaneously. Each electrode was 3.8 cm in diameter, with an inter-electrode spacing of 20 mm. Amplification of each EMG signal was set to maximum resolution to eliminate as much artifacts as possible. EMG channels were sampled at 2000 Hz. For each trial, subjects were recorded for three successive complete gait cycles, and EMG amplitude data was calculated over time period. The raw EMG was filtered, rectified, and smoothed using the RMS algorithm and a 100 ms window. Specifically, EMG signals were filtered with a 10 Hz Butterworth high-pass filter to remove electrode artifacts, rectified and smoothed based on the root-mean-square calculation with Myoresearch XP software. Peak and average EMG amplitudes were exported and compared to the control values in Excel to report a percent change (% change) relative to the control. 
     Results: see Table 1, below: 
                                                             TABLE 1                           Birgit       Trevor       Jules                               Peak        Peak       Peak   Average               Weighting   Movement       EMG    Average    EMG   Average    EMG    EMG   Averages           Condition   Condition   Muscle   (uV)   EMG (uV)   (uV)   EMG (uV)    (uV)   (uV)   Peak   Average                                                                            Control   Flat Walking    Tibialis   153   41.7   194   85.8           173.5    63.75               Anterior                                               Vastus   36   16   47.5   12.5           41.75   14.25               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   53.6   13.9   22.4   6.52           38    10.21               Medius                                               External   14.7   8.01   18.6   10.2           16.65    9.105               Obliques                                               Rectus   10.7   5.65   19.4   8.29           15.05   6.97               Abdominus                                        Control   Incline   Tibialis   148   49.5   179   94.4           163.5    71.95           Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   74   19.1   79.9   19.7           76.95    19.4               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   94   18.3   19.3   7.14           56.65   12.72               Medius                                               External   19.5   9.39   19.9   9           19.7    9.195                Obliques                                               Rectus   13.7   6.09   19.8   7.12           16.75    6.605                Abdominus                                        Control   Upstairs   Tibialis   146   51.2   369   129           257.5   90.1           Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   198   50.7   276   70.6           237   60.65               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   119   32.3   87.8   26.2           103.4    29.25               Medius                                               External   18.2   10   19.5   11.6           18.85    10.8               Obliques                                               Rectus   18.3   7.55   20.5   8.94           19.4    8.245               Abdominus                                        Control   Downstairs   Tibialis   130   34.5   235   75.4           182.5   54.95           Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   124   35.1   109   44           116.5    39.55               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   39.9   13.7   25.1   7.86           32.5   10.78               Medius                                               External   20.1   9.16   18.6   9.95           19.35    9.555               Obliques                                               Rectus   11.8   5.88   21.5   8.35           16.65    7.115                Abdominus                                        Normal   Flat Walking    Tibialis   113   42.4   186   80.5           149.5    61.45       Backpack       Anterior                                               Vastus   51.5   16.3   48   13.4           49.75    14.85                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   61.9   16.1   20.5   6.93           41.2   11.515               Medius                                               External   19.9   11.2   17.1   9.92           18.5    10.56                Obliques                                               Rectus   15.2   6.92   20.7   8.1           17.95    7.51                Abdominus                                       Normal   Incline   Tibialis   172   44.9   196   79.9           184    62.4       Backpack   Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   53.5   19.3   123   21.6           88.25    20.45                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   112   26.1   29.4   7.86           70.7    16.98                Medius                                               External   21.3   10.4   19   10           20.15   10.2               Obliques                                               Rectus   13.7   6.83   18.9   7.23           16.3   7.03               Abdominus                                        Normal   Upstairs   Tibialis   150   45.4   292   112           221    78.7        Backpack   Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   204   56   233   65.7           218.5    60.85                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   99.2   36.4   87.7   19.6           93.45    28               Medius                                               External   21.4   11.1   19.1   11.2           20.25    11.15                Obliques                                               Rectus   14.5   7.63   19.9   9.06           17.2   8.345                Abdominus                                       Normal   Downstairs   Tibialis   141   20.6   191   44.9           166    32.75       Backpack   Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   77.7   34   150   52           113.85    43               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   46.4    14.9   65.4   9.5           55.9   12.2               Medius                                               External   30.9   12.4   20.1   8.97           25.5    10.685                Obliques                                               Rectus   15.5   7.38   20.1   8.15           17.8    7.765                Abdominus                                       Light Pack   Flat Walking    Tibialis   148   55.5   201   94.1           174.5    74.8               Anterior                                               Vastus   131   43.7   62.4   13.8           96.7    28.75                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   75.6   18.1   40.8   10.3           58.2    14.2                Medius                                               External   32.1   18.5   19.1   11.5           25.6    15               Obliques                                               Rectus   16   7.43   23.9   9.62           19.95   8.525               Abdominus                                       Light Pack   Incline   Tibialis   90   34.9   254   100           172    67.45           Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   614   67.4   113   23.9           363.5    45.65                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   91.3   24.4   35.3   9.85           63.3    17.125               Medius                                               External   25.1   12   18.7   9.95           21.9    10.975                Obliques                                               Rectus   18.6   7.71   20.2   8.39           19.4    8.05                Abdominus                                        Light Pack   Upstairs   Tibialis   134   51   319   126           226.5    88.5           Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   819   108   248   65.4           533.5    86.7                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   114   37.1   74.5   18.3           94.25    27.7                Medius                                               External   26.5   11.9   18.7   11           22.6    11.45                Obliques                                               Rectus   16.8   8.05   18.8   9.38           17.8   8.715                Abdominus                                       Light Pack   Downstairs   Tibialis   211   38.1   169   58.9           190    48.5            Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   146   49.4   155   60.7           150.5    55.05               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   49.7   17.8   34.1   10.9           41.9    14.35               Medius                                               External   52.4   20.9   23.6   9.99           38    15.445                Obliques                                               Rectus   26.8   10.8   20.5   9.97           23.65    10.385                Abdominus                                        Heavy Pack   Flat Walking   Tibialis   173   57   223   78.6           198    67.8               Anterior                                               Vastus   330   57   69.5   15.4           199.75    36.2                Lateralis                                               Gluteus   97.9   25.5   20.1   5.83           59   15.665                Medius                                               External   96   54.3   33.7   17.7           64.85    36               Obliques                                               Rectus   28.1   14.8   33.5   14.9           30.8    14.85                Abdominus                                        Heavy Pack   Incline   Tibialis   132   34   216   93           174    63.5            Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   279    53.4   164   29.5           221.5   41.45               Lateralis                                               Gluteus   110   25.9   38.1   9.35           74.05   17.625               Medius                                               External   84.9    41.6   27.6   13.5           56.25   27.55               Obliques                                               Rectus   19.7   13.2   25.9   12.3           22.8   12.75               Abdominus                                       Heavy Pack   Upstairs   Tibialis   162   52.9   333   131           247.5   91.95           Walking   Anterior                                               Vastus   243   76.9   374   77.8           308.5   77.35               Lateralis                                                Gluteus   123   33.7   101   22.1           112   27.9               Medius                                               External   111   44.6   33.1   14.6           72.05   29.6               Obliques                                               Rectus   29.8   17.9   38.5   13.9           34.15   15.9               Abdominus                                       Heavy Pack   Downstairs    Tibialis   130   34.2   167   55.4           148.5   44.8           Walking   Anterior                                                Vastus   199   62.7   176   53.1           187.5   57.9               Lateralis                                                Gluteus   60.1    16.1   28.8   9.57           44.45   12.835               Medius                                               External   105   60.1   29.8   15.1           67.41   37.6               Obliques                                               Rectus   44.6   21.2   36.5   15.1           40.55   18.15               Abdominus                    
Overall, wearers of the backpack had higher EMG values compared to the control conditions. These differences were the greatest under the greatest load. For example, even during flat walking, subjects had around 240% greater peak EMG and 233% average EMG activation in the external obliques and 182% greater peak EMG and 142% greater average EMG on the rectus abdominus in the heavy pack condition compared to the control condition.
 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.