Patent Publication Number: US-2020281792-A1

Title: Vibration device and body stimulation method using same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vibration device for applying a vibration stimulus to a user, and a method of stimulating the body by the use of the vibration device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Patent document 1 listed below discloses a vibration healthcare equipment which is used by a user with both feet placed on a footrest. The vibration healthcare equipment of Patent document 1 is intended to cause stimulation of the lower body of the user as well as an appropriate exercise effect on the entire body of the user by applying fast vibration to the user. 
     Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-029712 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Resolved by the Invention 
     The vibration healthcare equipment of Patent document 1 has been demanded to be further improved so as to be able to apply the vibration strongly to a wide range of a user&#39;s body. 
     The present invention has been devised in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vibration device and a body stimulating method which can strongly apply vibration to a wide range of a user&#39;s body, and thus the user can obtain an excellent exercise effect. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vibration device for applying a vibration stimulus to a user, comprises: a base, a platform supported by the base and on which the user gets, a vibrator for vibrating the platform, and a non or less-stretchable belt connected to the platform. 
     In the vibration device, it is preferable that both end portions of the belt are connected to the platform. 
     In the vibration device, it is preferable that the belt comprises a first portion having a first end connected to the platform, a second portion having a second end connected to the platform, and a connector detachably connecting the first portion to the second portion. 
     In the vibration device, it is preferable that each of the first portion and the second portion is adjustable in length. 
     In the vibration device, it is preferable that the length of the belt can be adjusted from 1.0 m to 4.0 m. 
     In the vibration device, it is preferable that, in a top view of the platform, the platform has a dimension in a lateral direction and a dimension in a perpendicular direction to the lateral direction, wherein the dimension in the lateral direction is not more than 1.1 times the dimension in the perpendicular direction, and 
     the vibrator vibrates the platform by seesawing the platform with a center of the platform between both ends of the platform in the lateral direction as a fulcrum of seesaw so that the above-said both ends move up and down alternately. 
     In the vibration device, it is preferable that the platform has an upper surface and side surfaces connected to the upper surface, wherein the side surfaces include two first side surfaces extending in the lateral direction, and two second side surfaces extending in the perpendicular direction, and 
     the belt is connected to the second side surfaces. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, a body stimulation method comprises: 
     using the vibration device for applying a vibration stimulus to a user, the vibration device comprising the base, the platform supported by the base and on which the user gets, the vibrator for vibrating the platform, and the non or less-stretchable belt connected to the platform, and 
     vibrating the platform under such a condition that the user gets on the platform and pulls the platform with the belt. 
     In the body stimulation method, it is preferable to vibrate the platform under such a condition that the user hangs the belt on his/her shoulder while the both ends of the belt are connected to the platform. 
     In the body stimulation method, it is preferable to vibrate the platform by seesawing the platform with a center of the platform between both ends of the platform in the lateral direction as a fulcrum of seesaw so that the above-said both ends move up and down alternately under such a condition that the user gets on the platform, straddling the center of the platform, with the shoulder width direction of the user corresponding to the lateral direction. 
     In the body stimulation method, it is preferable to vibrate the platform by seesawing the platform with a center of the platform between both ends of the platform in the lateral direction as a fulcrum of seesaw so that the above-said both ends move up and down alternately under such a condition that the user gets on the platform, aligning the both feet, while the both feet are positioned on the center of the platform, orienting the toes of the both feet toward one side in the lateral direction. 
     In the vibration device according to the present invention, the belt is connected to the platform which is vibrated. In the body stimulation method according to the present invention, the platform is vibrated under such a condition that the user gets on the platform and pulls the platform with the belt. 
     Therefore, the vibration of the platform is transmitted to the user via a direct contact between the platform and the feet of the user as well as through the belt. As a result, a wide range of the user&#39;s body can be applied by strong vibration, and it is possible for the user to obtain an excellent exercise effect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vibration device as an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the vibration device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining a body stimulation method as an embodiment of the present invention which uses the vibration device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the vibration device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a vibration device as another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a vibration device as still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a first portion and a second portion of the belt. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram for explaining a body stimulation method as another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram for explaining a body stimulation method as still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining a body stimulation method as yet still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a vibration device for applying a vibration stimulus to a user. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a body stimulation method using the vibration device. 
       FIG. 1  shows a vibration device  1  as an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows the internal structure of the vibration device  1 . 
     In this specification, x direction, Y direction and z direction shown in the drawings may be referred to as the lateral direction, perpendicular direction and height direction, respectively. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vibration device  1  comprises a base  2 , a platform  3  supported by the base  2  and on which a user gets, and a vibrator  4  for vibrating the platform  3 . 
     In the vibration device  1  according to the present invention, a non or less-stretchable belt  5  is connected to the platform  3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the body stimulation method using the vibration device  1  according to the present invention. 
     In the body stimulation method according to the present invention, the platform  3  is vibrated by the vibrator  4  under such a condition that the user  10  is on the platform  3  and pulls the platform  5  with the belt  5  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In the vibration device  1  and the body stimulation method according to the present invention, the vibration of the platform  3  can be transmitted to the user not only via the direct contact between the platform  3  and the feet of the user  10  but also through the belt  5 . Therefore, a wide range of the body of the user  10  can be applied by strong vibration. 
     Thus, it is possible for the user to obtain an excellent exercise effect therefrom. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the base  2  in this example is rectangular in its top view. And, the base  2  is formed in the form of a box so as to accommodate the vibrator  4  therein. In order to support the vibration device  1 , the base  2  is provided with leg portions  2   a  for contacting with the floor surface, for example, positioned at four corners of the bottom surface of the base  2 . 
     The vibrator  4  in this embodiment is configured to vibrate the platform  3  by alternately raising and lowering both ends  3   e  of the platform  3  in its lateral direction (X direction) by seesawing the platform  3  with its center  3   c  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) between the both ends  3   e  as a fulcrum of seesaw motion (hereinafter, such motion may be referred to as the “seesaw-like vibration mode”). 
     In the present invention, however, the vibrator  4  is not limited to the seesaw-like vibration mode. It is possible to employ various vibration modes, for example: 
     a vertical vibration mode in which the whole platform  3  is vibrated or moved in the height or vertical direction,
 
a horizontal vibration mode in which the whole platform  3  is vibrated or moved in the horizontal direction, and
 
a multiple vibration mode in which a vertical vibration mode and a horizontal vibration mode are mixed.
 
     In this example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the vibrator  4  comprises an electric motor  11 , a transmission unit  12  which transmits the power of the electric motor  11 , a drive part  13  which is moved up and down by the power of the electric motor  11 , and a movable frame  14  linked with the drive part  13  and supporting the platform  3 . 
     The transmission unit  12  in this example slows down the rotational movement of the electric motor  11  and converts the rotational movement into a vertical reciprocating movement using a crank or the like. Thereby, the drive part  13  is moved up and down. 
     The movable frame  14  in this example comprises a plurality of frames which include two lateral frames  15  extending in the lateral direction (X), and four perpendicular frames  16  extending in the perpendicular direction (Y). The four perpendicular frames  16  connect the two lateral frames  15 . 
     In this example, each of the lateral frames  15  is supported at its center position in the lateral direction as a fulcrum  17  by a supporting point so that the lateral frames  15  can rotate or incline about the supporting points at the same time whereby the ends on one side in the lateral direction and the ends on the other side in the lateral direction of the lateral frames  15  can be alternately raised and lowered. 
     On one side in the lateral direction of the fulcrum  17 , two of the four perpendicular frames  16  are disposed and connected to the lateral frames  15 . 
     On the other side in the lateral direction of the fulcrum  17 , other two perpendicular frames  16  are disposed and connected to the lateral frames  15 . 
     Further, the two perpendicular frames  16  disposed on one side in the lateral direction of the fulcrum  17  are connected to the drive part  13  which is moved up and down as described above. 
     In the vibrator  4  having the above-described structure in this embodiment, by the operation of the electric motor  11 , the drive part  13  is moved up and down, and the movable frame  14  linked to the drive part  13  is seesawed, therefore, the platform  3  supported by the movable frame  14  can be vibrated in the seesaw-like vibration mode. 
     In the present invention, however, the vibrator  4  is not limited to the above-described structure. The need is to be able to vibrate the platform  3 . 
     In the vibrator  4  in this embodiment, the rotation speed of the electric motor  11  is adjustable so that the number of cycles of the vibration can be varied from 420 to 630 per minute, preferably from 200 to 800 per minute, for example. 
     Further, it is preferable for the vibrator  4  that the user can arbitrarily select the number of rotations of the electric motor  11  so as to adjust the intensity of the vibration the user feels. For example, the vibrator  4  is configured such that the intensity (cycles) of the vibration of the platform  3  can be set to nine levels, and the user can select a desired intensity level therefrom. 
     Further, it is preferable that the user can select the intensity of the vibration during using the vibration device  1 , for example, by using a wireless remote controller (not shown). 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the vibration device  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the platform  3  in the present embodiment has an upper surface  18  and side surfaces  20  connected to the upper surface  18 . The side surfaces  20  include two first side surfaces  21  extending in the lateral direction (X), and two second side surfaces  22  extending in the perpendicular direction (Y). 
     The platform  3  in the present embodiment is provided on the side surfaces  20  with connection fittings  25  used to connect the belt  5  to the platform  3 . 
     The platform  3  in this example has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The dimension L 1  in the lateral direction and the dimension L 2  in the perpendicular direction of the platform  3  are, for example, set in a range from 300 to 550 mm, preferably from 400 to 450 mm. 
     Such platform  3  is large enough for the user to stand with both feet on its upper surface  18 . 
     The respective dimensions L 1  and L 2  of the platform  3  do not include the connection fittings  25 . 
     It is preferable that the dimension L 1  in the lateral direction is not more than 1.1 times the dimension L 2  in the perpendicular direction. More preferably, the dimension L 1  is not less than 0.95 time, but not more than 1.05 times the dimension L 2 . 
     In such platform  3 , since the dimension L 1  in the lateral direction is smaller than that of the conventional one, a large load does not act on the vibrator  4  even when both feet are positioned at very both ends of the upper surface  18  in the lateral direction. Therefore, in the vibration device  1  in the present embodiment, the electric motor  11  can be prevented from stopping due to overload. 
     In the present embodiment, the upper surface  18  of the platform  3  includes a first tread surface  23  which is a smooth or matte surface, and a second tread surface  24  provided with a plurality of ridges  24   a  extending in the lateral direction. 
     The first tread surface  23  in this example is gradually decreased in its length in the perpendicular direction from the two second side surfaces  22  toward the center  3   c  in the lateral direction. 
     The second tread surface  24  in this example is gradually decreased in its length in the lateral direction from the two first side surfaces  21  toward the center  3   c  in the perpendicular direction. 
     For example, in the second tread surface  24 , a switch panel  26  including a power switch and the like of the vibration device  1  is arranged. 
     The upper surface  18  of the platform  3  is however, not limited to such example. 
     In the present embodiment, each of the connection fittings  25  is a u-shaped fitting  25   a  of which both ends are connected to one of the side surfaces  20  to form a closed loop  25   b  in this example. 
     Each end portion of the belt  5  passes through the loop  25   b  and thereby the belt  5  is connected to the platform  3 . 
     For example, the length L 3  of each of the connection fittings  25  measured along the side surface  20  in the top view of the platform  3  is set in a range from 0.05 to 0.30 times the dimension L 2  of the platform  3  in the perpendicular direction. 
     In the present embodiment, each of the second side surfaces  22  is provided with one connection fitting  25  positioned in a central portion in the perpendicular direction of the second side surface  22 . 
     Thus, the both ends of the belt  5  are connected to the platform  3  on both sides thereof in the lateral direction. 
     The arrangement of the connection fittings  25  is not limited to the above-described example. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  each show another example of the arrangement of the connection fittings  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , two or more connection fittings  25  may be provided on each of the second side surface  22 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , one or more connection fittings  25  may be provided on each of the first side surfaces  21 . With such arrangements of the connection fittings  25 , the belt  5  can be connected to the various positions (connection fittings) of the platform  3 , therefore, the vibration device  1  can be used in order to obtain a higher or more effective exercise effect. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , it is possible to use a longer connection fitting  25  whose length L 3  measured along the side surface  20  is, for example, in a range from 0.30 to 0.60 times the dimension of the side surface  20 . 
     Such longer connection fitting  25  may be provided on each of the side surfaces  20 . 
     The non or less-stretchable belt  5  has to have strength capable of transmitting the vibration of the platform  3  to the user. For this reason, the belt  5  is preferably formed from a nylon belt  35  whose width is, for example, 15 to 50 mm. 
     Here, the expression “non or less-stretchable belt” means that the length of the belt when the belt is applied by a tension load of 10 kg (herein after the loaded state length) is not more than 1.20 times the length of the belt when applied by no tension load (herein after the unloaded state length). 
     In the belt  5  in this example, it is preferable that the loaded state length is not more than 1.10 times, more preferably not more than 1.05 times the unloaded state length. 
     It is preferable that both ends  31   e  and  32   e  of the belt  5  are respectively connected to the two connection fittings  25  of the platform  3 . 
     It is preferable that the belt  5  comprises a first portion  31  including the first end  31   e  connected to the platform  3 , a second portion  32  including the second end  32   e  connected to the platform  3 , and a connector  33  for detachably connecting the first portion  31  with the second portion  32 . 
     Thereby, such belt  5  is compatible with both use in a state where the first portion  31  and the second portion  32  are connected, and use in a state where the first portion  31  and the second portion  32  are separated. 
       FIG. 7  shows the first portion  31  and the second portion  32 . It is preferable that the length of each of the first portion  31  and the second portion  32  is adjustable. 
     More specifically, in a state where the first portion  31  and the second portion  32  are connected by the connector  33 , the length of the belt  5  from one to the other of the connection fittings is adjustable from 2.0 m to 3.6 m, preferably from 1.0 to 4.0 m, for example. 
     In the belt  5  in this example, the connector  33  is composed of a pair of first and second buckles  34 , and the nylon belt  35  of the first portion  31  is folded back through a loop of the first buckle  34  and the folded-back end thereof is fastened by a first fastener  37 , and also the nylon belt  35  of the second portion  32  is folded back through a loop of the second buckle  34  and the folded-back end thereof is fastened by a second fastener  37 . 
     Thereby, each of the first portion  31  and the second portion  32  has a doubled part  36  in which the folded back part  35   b  of the nylon belt  35  overlaps with the main part  35   a  of the nylon belt  35 . In this example, therefore, by adjusting the length of the doubled part  36  between the first/second buckle  34  and the first/second fastener  37 , the length of the first portion  31  and the length of the second portion  32  can be adjusted separately. 
     In the body stimulation method using the vibration device  1  described above, it is preferable to vibrate the platform  3  in such a condition that the user wears the belt  5  on the shoulder or the back as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Such method can provide a high exercise effect for the whole body of the user. 
     Specifically, in this physical stimulation method, high exercise effects can be expected for muscles of thigh such as lateral great muscle and rectus femoris, back muscles such as latissimus dorsi and erector spinae, and upper limb muscles such as trapezius and biceps. 
     In the body stimulation method, it is more preferable that the user  10  spirally winds the belt  5  around both arms and pulls the belt  5  with both hands upwardly and outwardly in the user&#39;s shoulder width direction as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thereby, the vibration of the platform  3  is effectively applied to the upper body of the user, and the above-described effect is further enhanced. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the vibration of the platform  3  is performed in a first posture where the user  10  gets on the platform  3 , straddling the center  3   c  of the platform  3  in the lateral direction, with the shoulder width direction of the user corresponding to the lateral direction. 
     In the first posture, both feet of the user are positioned on the platform&#39;s first tread surface  23  in this example (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Due to the seesaw vibration of the platform  3 , the center of gravity of the user  10  standing in the first posture is swung mainly in the shoulder width direction (X direction in  FIG. 3 ). In the first posture, even if the platform  3  swings, the user can easily balance with the muscles of both feet. Therefore, in the body stimulation method performed in the first posture, the user can continue using the device in a relatively stable state. 
       FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of the body stimulation method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vibration of the platform  3  is performed under such a condition that the user  10  stands on the platform  3  in the above described first posture and then alters the posture to a semi-crouching position, grabbing one part of the belt  5  with both hands in front of the chest. This example of the physical stimulation method can exert a large load on the arms (biceps and triceps) and lower limbs (biceps femoris and vastus medialis muscle), among others. 
       FIG. 9  shows still another embodiment of the body stimulation method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vibration of the platform  3  is performed in a second posture where the user  10  gets on the platform  3 , orienting the toes of both feet toward one side in the lateral direction, with both feet aligned at a center ( 3   c ) of the platform  3  in the lateral direction. 
     In this embodiment, the center of gravity of the user  10  is swung mainly in the front-rear direction of the user (X direction in  FIG. 9 ) due to the seesaw vibration of the platform  3 . 
     Therefore, it is necessary for the user in the second posture to balance the center of gravity under such seesaw vibration by using not only the lower body but also many muscles of the upper body since both feet are aligned. As a result, in the body stimulation method performed in the second posture, it is possible to apply a high load to the vastus lateralis muscle and trapezius muscle in particular. Thus, the user can obtaine a more excellent exercise effect over the whole body. 
     In the second posture, it is preferable that both feet of the user are positioned on the respective second tread surfaces  24  of the platform  3  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The second tread surfaces  24  in this example are each provided with the ridges  24   a  extending in the lateral direction (X direction), therefore, a frictional force in the shoulder width direction of the user acts on both feet of the user. Thereby, the stability of the user in the second posture is improved. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the user  10  hangs the belt  5  on one shoulder, and pulls the belt  5  forward and backward with both hands respectively. Thereby, the vibration of the platform  3  is effectively applied to the upper body of the user. 
       FIG. 10  shows yet still another embodiment of the body stimulation method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vibration of the platform  3  is performed under such a condition that the user  10  stands on the platform  3  in the above described second posture and then alters the posture to a semi-crouching position, grabbing one part of the belt  5  with both hands in front of the chest. 
     In this embodiment, it is possible to apply a large load on the calf muscles such as tibialis anterior muscle and internal gastrocnemius muscle, among others. 
     While detailed description has been made of preferable embodiments of the present invention, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without being limited to the illustrated embodiments. 
     Comparison Test 
     The embodiments of the body stimulation method shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9  were performed using the vibration device  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As a comparative example, a body stimulating method was performed under such a condition that a user stands in the first posture on the platform of the vibration device  1  shown in  FIG. 1  from which the belt was excluded. 
     In each of the embodiments according to the present invention and the comparative example, muscle activities of respective muscles of the user were measured by an electromyograph. 
     The results are indicated in Table 1 by an index based on the activity of each muscle when the user stood on the platform without vibrating the platform, being 1, wherein the larger the value, the more (the better) the muscle activity. 
     Incidentally, the vibration intensity of the vibrating device was the same for all of the embodiments according to the present invention and the comparative example. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Comparative 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 example 
                 Embodiment 1 
                 Embodiment 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Figure showing Body stimulation method 
                 — 
                 FIG. 3 
                 FIG. 9 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Back 
                 Muscle activity of Latissimus dorsi (index) 
                 1 
                 4 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Muscle activity of Erector spinae (index) 
                 3 
                 11 
                 8 
               
               
                 Upper 
                 Muscle activity of Trapezius muscle (index) 
                 1 
                 40 
                 80 
               
               
                 limb 
                 Muscle activity of Biceps brachii (index) 
                 5 
                 22 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Muscle activity of Triceps brachii (index) 
                 1 
                 8 
                 17 
               
               
                 Thigh 
                 Muscle activity of Lateral great muscle (index) 
                 10 
                 80 
                 90 
               
               
                   
                 Muscle activity of Medial great muscle (index) 
                 4 
                 16 
                 30 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that the vibration device and the body stimulating method according to the present invention exhibited an excellent exercise effect over the whole body of the user. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  vibration device 
               2  base 
               3  platform 
               4  vibrator 
               5  belt 
               10  user