Patent Publication Number: US-10780315-B2

Title: Body-building device and fitness method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefits of China application no. 201710837899.6, filed on Sep. 10, 2017, China application no. 201710837900.5, filed on Sep. 10, 2017, and China application no. 201711345073.4, filed on Dec. 15, 2017. The entirety of each of the above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of body building and health, and more particularly to a body-building device and fitness method. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent years, body-builders have tried various methods to achieve their body-building goals. For instance, people are doing conventional sports by taking their own weight as resistance force (e.g. push-up and sit-up). To meet their fitness requirements, body-builders also make use of cable, pulley, weight, spring, and/or hand-held weight and/or device with elastic rod system. 
     While recently body-builders have realized the value of the body-building device that places the users on unsteady positions. One similar device is stability ball, also called fitball or Swiss ball. 
     Stability ball is a big flexible ball generating instability during fitness exercises. When taking exercises, the user develops his/her core muscles to keep balance. For instance, body-builder may practice holding hand weight while lying on the stability ball. Due to the ball&#39;s instability, the user is required to stretch and use core muscles to keep balance, while practicing holding hand weight at the same time. Unlike exercising the target muscle groups only, the stability ball user also improves balance and stability with core or stable muscles. 
     However, stability ball is relatively bulky, therefore it&#39;s usually unable to meet the expectations of people who have limited time and space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a body-building device that is small-sized and not restricted by space, enabling exercises at anytime and anywhere. This body-building device may generate instability as well during fitness exercises. The body-builder may adopt different fitness methods to improve balance and stability, so as to achieve the aim of exercising core or stable muscles. 
     The present invention also provides a fitness method based on said body-building device, which is able to meet a variety of fitness requirements such as back muscle stretching, plank, etc., with no restrictions on place. 
     The present invention is achieved by the following technical solution: 
     A body-building device comprising:
         a base body, which is used to support the whole device;   a swing mechanism, which is installed on the base body to enable 360-degree rotation in the circumferential direction or swing to any angle off the central axis of the base body;   a supporter, which is installed at the upper end of the swing mechanism and makes direct contact with human body. With force applied by human body, it drives the swing mechanism rotate or swing, while the swing mechanism generates corresponding reset force during swing, thus enabling body building.       

     Comparing to prior art, the benefits of the present invention are: 
     1. Featuring in novel styling, small size, space-saving and portability, the body-building device in the present invention can increase the user&#39;s interest and affection more greatly than ordinary body-building device, therefore to a certain extent increases the frequency of use and extend the duration of body building. 
     2. Installed on the swing mechanism, the supporter may be used as seat cushion under some circumstances, providing dynamic support and assistance to body-builder&#39;s movements, making fitness more effective; meanwhile its 360-degree rotation design enables user to exercise strength, sense of balance and core strength more effectively. During exercises, dynamic support provided by the supporter assists body-builder in exercising the sense of balance, making body-builders quickly control the balance of the body. 
     When the cushion is in a stable and balanced state, if the body-builder does not have enough strength and sense of balance, his/her arm and body will tremble. Body-builder maintains the sense of balance through long-term exercises. 
     3. The swing mechanism of the body-building device enables the supporter to rotate in 360 degrees, meanwhile it&#39;s able to swing to any angle off the central axis of the base body, therefore it can automatically adapt to the needs of supporting on corresponding parts of human body and changing of sitting postures at any angle, thus making it possible for the user to willfully change the angle and posture. Change of postures can keep corresponding body parts healthy and relaxing instead of being constricted, realizing a more comfortable and healthy use. 
     4. The body-building device in the present invention may be converted to a seating device by combining with a base which includes support rod or gas lift, turning the supporter into a seat cushion. When sitting on the supporter, the user is in a state of half sitting and half standing, the weight of the upper body mainly borne by the ischium, so the upper torso can stay naturally straight instead of stooping as sitting on conventional seats. Meanwhile, as the present invention is provided with swing function, the user can self-adapt when sitting on it swinging from one side to the other, thus keeping the spine healthy and the body balanced at any angle, in line with the requirements of health. While sitting on it, the user may also perform exercises such as stretching, which is beneficial to human health. 
     Furthermore, being placed on the ground or stool, the body-building device in the present invention can also be used as an independent seating device for user to sit and rest. It makes up or improves the defect of conventional chair or stool which makes user feel fatigue after prolonged sitting due to poor design. Thanks to the ergonomic design with curved surface, the supporter in the present invention is able to effectively relieve the stress at the pelvis caused by body weight, improve the blood circulation of lower limbs, ease the pressure on shoulder and neck muscles, improve the health of spine and back, and what&#39;s more, increase blood and oxygen supply to the brain so to relieve tiredness. 
     The supporter of the body-building device in the present invention consists of the first and the second support plate that are put together and having rotary connection. The angle between the first and the second support plate is adjustable. Therefore, the shape, size and the frontal projected area onto the ground or horizontal plane of the supporter is changeable, able to meet various requirements of different body types, different sitting postures, different use habits and standing aid, and what&#39;s more, to satisfy personal preferences of different users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the main structure assembly of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the breakdown of the main structure of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional schematic view of the base and the swing mechanism of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the breakdown of the base, the swing mechanism and the supporter of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the turnplate of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the adjusting actuator of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the supporter of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway view of the swing mechanism of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a three-dimensional schematic view of the base body of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the swing base of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a cutaway view of the swing actuating mechanism of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cutaway view of the reset mechanism of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the fixing member of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view of the change process of the angle between the first support plate and the second support plate of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view of the swing process of the swing mechanism of the body-building device in the present invention; 
         FIGS. 16-24  are various application scene diagrams of using the body-building device in the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS 
     Below is detailed description of technical solution of the present invention based on drawings and embodiment. It&#39;s understood that the components illustrated in the drawings are schematic and not restrictive, drawing not to scale. 
     First of all, the reference azimuth of the parts of the present invention is defined. The body-building device in the present invention takes the position under normal use as reference, above and below of the body-building device respectively referring to above and below when the central shaft of the body-building device is vertical. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 : 
     A body-building device in the present embodiment, comprising: 
     base body  1 , installed with height adjusting structure  5 , distance adjusting structure  6  and connecting-and-fixing structure  7 ; the bottom surface of base body  1  is flat; 
     Turnplate  2 , serving as adjusting component co-working with the base body and able to turn up and down along the base; turnplate  2  is installed with position adjusting structure  8  that enables turnplate  2  to move up and down along base  1  and co-works with height adjusting structure  5 ; 
     Swing mechanism  13 , installed in the middle of base body  1 ; said swing mechanism  13  includes cylinder  138  which swings as a result of external forces; 
     Adjusting actuator  3 , serving as actuating component moving up and down by co-working with base body  1  and being driven by turnplate  2 ; adjusting actuator  3  is installed with stop block  9  co-sliding with distance adjusting structure  6 ; adjusting actuator  3  is installed with tilt support structure  10 ; 
     Supporter  4 , used to respond to the movements of adjusting actuator  3  to realize the change of the size of its own frontal projected area, is installed above adjusting actuator  3  and connected with cylinder  138 ; supporter  4  presents a split twin-saddle structure, with each saddle extending outward from the middle and the middle is above both sides. Each saddle surface is inclined forward from the rear middle, forming a transition oblique surface from high to low; when doing single-hand support with the supporter, user&#39;s hand holds the middle part of twin saddle, and the holding force and friction force can be increased. Moreover, the shape is matched with human hand grip, which is in line with ergonomics; when sitting on the supporter, forming a 135-degree angle between waist and hip, between thigh and lower leg, the user is in a state of half sitting half standing, the weight of the upper body mainly borne by the ischium, so the upper torso can stay naturally straight instead of stooping as sitting on conventional seats, playing as icing on the cake to body building. 
     There is an inward notch  309  in the front middle of the supporter; a certain space is maintained between supporter  4  and base body  1 , specifically, supporter  4  consists of the first support plate  41  and the second support plate  42  of bilateral symmetry; the first support plate  41  and one side of the second support plate  42  are aligned together with rotary connection, moreover, rotating component  11  is installed between the first support plate  41  and the second support plate  42  to enable angle change between the first support plate  41  and the second support plate  42 . The first and second support plate  41 ,  42  have rotary connection after putting both together, making the angle of the supporter adjustable and adaptive to requirements of different body types; besides, supporter  4  always remain in a state that the middle is above both sides, easy for user to sit and hold which is in line with ergonomics. 
     Height adjusting structure  5  is external thread formed on cylinder  138 . The external thread can be either left-hand thread or right-hand thread. 
     Distance adjusting structure  6  is a slot symmetrically installed on cylinder  138 . The height of the slot in the axial direction of the base body matches the displacement of adjusting actuator  3 . 
     Connecting-and-fixing structure  7  is two symmetrical engaging lugs installed upward from the top of cylinder  138 . The engaging lug has connection hole  71 . 
     The position of distance adjusting structure  6  on cylinder  138  and the position of connecting-and-fixing structure  7  on base  1  are cross structured. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , turnplate  2  is a round plate with gear  305  on the outer ring, thus easy to rotate turnplate  2  at any position; position adjusting structure  8  is internal thread formed in the center hole of the turnplate. The internal thread can be either left-hand thread or right-hand thread. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , adjusting actuator  3  includes ring  306 , and ring  306  has central mounting hole  31 . Stop block  9  is symmetrically installed on the wall of the central mounting hole, and stop block  9  is located in the slot of cylinder  138 ; the slot co-works with the stop block, preventing the adjusting actuator from circumferential rotation, allowing up-and-down movements only. Tilt support structure is used to make contact with the first and the second support plate  41  and  42  to change the angle in between. 
     Said tilt support structure  10  is two rectangular bumps extending outward formed on the outer edge of the ring, wherein the angle between the two rectangular bumps is 180 degrees, and moreover, the upper surface of the rectangular bump is curved surface that makes contact and is matched with the first or the second support plate. Such structure design does not only make it possible for the tilt support structure to lift up the first and the second support plate  41  and  42 , but also make the applied force in an upward or oblique upward direction, realizing an effective transfer of force. 
     Rotating component  11  consists of torsion spring  111 , connecting part  112  and axis pin  113 . Connecting part  112  shows a foldable structure, connected to the first support plate  41  and the second support plate  42  respectively. There is axle hole  307  at the free end of the connecting part. Torsion spring  111  is designed to have a common axis with axle hole  307  of connecting part  112 . Both ends of torsion spring  111  are pressed against the first support plate  41  and the second support plate  42  respectively. Axis pin  113  runs through axle hole  307  of connecting part  112 , connection hole  71  of the engaging lug, and central hole  308  of torsion spring  111 . The first support plate  41  and the second support plate  42  rotate with axis pin  113  as the axis and reset through rotating component  111 . The first and the second support plate  41  and  42  have rotary connection through axis pin. The first and the second support plate  41  and  42  always swerve downward under the effect of torsion spring  111 . 
     By rotating turnplate  2  in one direction, adjusting actuator  3  is moving upward to enlarge the angle between the first and the second support plate; by rotating turnplate  2  in the opposite direction, adjusting actuator  3  is moving downward, making the first and the second support plate reset gradually. 
     Furthermore, said base body  1  consists of chassis  121  and central shaft  123 ; said swing mechanism  13  is installed on the central shaft of chassis  121 , and there is a circular installation slot  122  in chassis  121  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     Central shaft  123  is installed upward in the center of chassis  121 . Installation slot  122  is situated in chassis  121  encircling the central shaft. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , swing mechanism  13  consists of (from the bottom up) swing base  130 , swing actuating mechanism  131 , reset mechanism  132  and fixing member  133 , wherein swing actuating mechanism  131  is installed with hemispherical cambered surface  134 ; referring to  FIG. 10 , swing base  130  is a soft rubber cover body, and inside swing base  130  there is an arc bottom surface  135 ; the soft rubber cover body structure of swing base  130  enables 360-degree swing of the swing actuating mechanism, and moreover, it provides safety protection, preventing hands from pinching. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 8 and 10 , swing base  130  is provided with an upward raised circular edge  151  inside it. Arc bottom surface  135  lies inside the space surrounded by circular edge  151 . When the swing amplitude of swing actuating mechanism  131  is too large, circular edge  151  can provide it certain support and certain reset force to keep the whole stable; meanwhile, it hides hemispherical cambered surface  134  inside, making the appearance attractive and preventing hands from crushing. 
     The radian of hemispherical cambered surface  134  is smaller than that of arc bottom surface  135 ; the radian of hemispherical cambered surface  134  and that of arc bottom surface  135  are set differently in order to enable 360-degree swing of the swing mechanism in the range of radian difference, bringing more comfort and ease to human body. 
     The existence of swing base  130  provides certain support to hemispherical cambered surface  134  of the cylinder. Swing base  130  is located in installation slot  122  of chassis  121 , hence swing base  130  can be further orientated, without worrying about its displacement. 
     Reset mechanism  132  is equipped with elastic member  136  to provide swing power for and to realize the reset of swing actuating mechanism  131 . Swing actuating mechanism  131  has rotary connection with the central shaft of chassis  121 , enabling the supporter and the swing actuating mechanism to rotate in 360 degrees in the circumferential direction. 
     Swing actuating mechanism  131  consists of a central plate  137  and a cylinder  138  (see  FIG. 11 ). Cylinder  138  is installed upward on the upper surface of central plate  137  along a common axis with central plate  137 . Hemispherical cambered surface  134  is installed downward on the lower surface of central plate  137  along a common axis with central plate  137 . Cylinder  138  is hollow inside and capped on central shaft  123 . The lower end inside said cylinder  138  shrinks oblique downward to the central shaft, forming inner ring wall  139 . 
     Said reset mechanism  132  is equipped with elastic member  136  to provide reset force for the swing actuating mechanism. Said elastic member  136  is capped on central shaft  123 , and elastic member  136  is equipped with elastic ring  310  installed in the radial direction. Said elastic ring  310  has outer ring wall  311  which coincides with the shape of inner ring wall  139 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , inner ring wall  139  of the cylinder is in close contact with outer ring wall  311  of elastic ring  310 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , reset mechanism  132  is installed inside cylinder  138  and fixed tightly to base body  1  by fixing member  133 . Specifically, elastic member  136  is cap-shaped and capped on central shaft  123 , wherein central shaft  123  is equipped with fixing member  133  and fixing member  133  is fixed on the top of central shaft  123  by screw. 
     To ensure adequate support and elastic feedback, the outer edge of elastic ring  310  extends upward to form a convex ring  312 . Said convex ring  312  makes contact with the lower part of the cylinder&#39;s inner wall. When the force is transferred to cylinder  138  from the supporter, cylinder  138  swings, and elastic ring  310  of the elastic member is intruded by inner ring wall  139 , wherein the deformation of elastic ring  310  provides reset force for cylinder  138 . 
     Both central plate  137  and cylinder  138  are made of hard material, with metal preferred, while elastic member  136  is made of soft rubber or plastic, which ensures a certain swing range of cylinder  138 . 
     Detailed installation procedure as below: first of all, mount the swing mechanism to the central shaft of the chassis, and mount reset mechanism  132  to the central shaft as well in contact with the inner wall of the swing actuating mechanism, then fix the fixing member to the central shaft with screw; install the turnplate onto cylinder  138  of swing actuating mechanism  131  through screw threads, wherein when the turnplate rotates from side to side, it will move up and down at the center point of the base due to the effect of screw threads, whether it moves up or down depending on the rotation direction of the screw threads. Then install adjusting actuator  3  to cylinder  138  of swing actuating mechanism  131 . Stop block  9  of the adjusting actuator fits perfectly into the slot of the cylinder of swing actuating mechanism  131 . Adjusting actuator  3  can only move up and down within the range of movement of the slot through stop block  9 . 
     Axis pin  113  runs through axle hole  307  of connecting part  112 , connection hole  71  of the engaging lug, and central hole  308  of torsion spring  111 , connecting the cylinder and the supporter as a whole. The supporter is wrapped or fitted with cushion or leather sponge, thus becoming a complete body-building device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , by rotating the turnplate left and right, the turnplate moves up and down on swing actuating mechanism  131  of the base. The distance between the upper and lower movements is controlled by the slot. If the turnplate rotates to the left, the adjusting actuator moves upward. While the adjusting actuator moves upward, the bottom of the first support plate and the second support plate is pushed upward by tilt support structure  10  at both ends of the adjusting actuator. As the middle of the first support plate and the second support plate is fixed on the engaging lug by axis pin, when the bottom of the first support plate and the second support plate is pushed upward by the adjusting actuator, the middle of the supporter remains unmoved while the angle between the first support plate and the second support plate on the left and right sides of the supporter changes with the up-and-down movements of the adjusting actuator. When the angle of the supporter becomes larger up, the orthographic projection area of the supporter on the ground enlarges, while the dimension of the supporter reduces when the angle becomes smaller, thus realizing the adjustment of the angle between the first and second support plates and making the body-building device satisfy the needs of different people. To increase the level of comfort, the surface of the supporter is also wrapped with sponge and fabric. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , this body-building device is able to automatically adapt to the sitting posture of human body by 360-degree movement and change to any angle, thus realizing 360-degree free adjustment of angles. 
     Swing base  130  is arranged in the shape of a shield. Inside the swing base it&#39;s provided with arc bottom surface  135  matched with hemispherical cambered surface  134  of swing actuating mechanism  131 . Swing base  130  is injection molded with soft rubber. Swing base  130  also functions as a soft rubber barrel preventing hands from pinching. The base body and swing base  130  can also be set as a whole. 
     The hemispherical cambered surface of swing actuating mechanism  131  is matched with arc bottom surface  135  inside swing base  130 . The inner ring wall inside swing actuating mechanism  131  is matched with the outer ring wall of reset mechanism  132 . Reset mechanism  132  is a soft rubber elastic sleeve. There are two fixed holes in reset mechanism  132  to fit with the mounting holes in the central shaft of the base body. 
     Fixing member  133  is a fixing plate, in which there are two columnar screw mounting holes used to fix reset mechanism  132  on the central shaft. Placing all components from top to bottom in order, the cylindrical mounting hole in fixing member  133  is threaded through the fixed hole in reset mechanism  132  to the mounting hole on the central shaft with screw so that the whole swing mechanism is connected as a whole. The supporter is screwed to swing actuating mechanism  131 , thus completing the assembly of the entire body-building device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the radian of hemispherical cambered surface  134  of swing actuating mechanism  131  is different from that of arc bottom surface  135  inside the swing base. The radian of hemispherical cambered surface  134  is smaller than that of arc bottom surface  135 . Both the swing base and the swing actuating mechanism are mounted on the central shaft of the base body, and the central shaft is the center for both of them. Swing actuating mechanism  131  swings in 360 degrees in the range of radian difference between hemispherical cambered surface  134  and arc bottom surface  135 . Reset mechanism  132  as a soft rubber elastic sleeve is also installed on the central shaft. The upper end of reset mechanism  132  is fixed to the upper end of the central shaft by fixing member  133 . The outer wall of reset mechanism  132  fits perfectly with the inner wall of swing actuating mechanism  131 . When swing actuating mechanism  131  swings with the central shaft, the inner wall of swing actuating mechanism  131  compresses the outer wall of reset mechanism  132 . Reset mechanism  132  is made of soft rubber which is very elastic. When swing actuating mechanism  131  swings, reset mechanism  132  turns into an elastic device and provides power to the swing and reset of swing actuating mechanism  131 . 
     Furthermore, if the user sits on the supporter, the seat cushion will move freely in 360 degrees with the change of sitting postures back and forth or left and right, automatically adapting to the change of any angle of human sitting posture. 
     The fitness methods based on said body-building device include but not limited to any of the following A-J actions: 
     A. As shown in  FIG. 16 , with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user takes a prone position, both tiptoes touching the ground; arms upright, one hand is supported on the supporter of the body-building device, while the other hand is raised forward. Both hands repeat the above action alternately. In this way, the abdominal muscle groups, the back muscle groups and the shoulder muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     B. Similarly, with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user takes a prone position, both tiptoes touching the ground; both arms bent, the elbows of both arms and the upper arms are supported on the supporter of the body-building device. Hold the position for a predetermined duration and above. In this way, the abdominal muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     C. As shown in  FIG. 18 , with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user lies down on the ground, his/her head and back resting on the supporter. Both legs bent, the soles touching the ground, the waist and the hips are lifted intermittently for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the buttocks muscle groups and leg muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     D. As shown in  FIG. 20 , with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user sits on the supporter, both hands propped back to the ground, both legs bent, while raising the lower legs and then putting down. Repeat the above actions for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the abdominal muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     E. As shown in  FIG. 21 , with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user sits on the supporter, both hands propped back to the ground, both legs stretching straight forward, while raising the legs alternately. Repeat the above actions for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the abdominal muscle groups and leg muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     F. As shown in  FIG. 22 , with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user takes a prone position, both tiptoes and knees touching the ground, and the abdomen attached to the supporter; arms stretching forward, the upper body is raised and lowered at the same time as the arm. Repeat the above actions for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the waist and back muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     G. As shown in  FIG. 24 , with the body-building device placed on the ground, the user takes the starting position, both feet alternately pedaling on the supporter, while the arms alternately bending up. Repeat the above actions for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the leg muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     H. As shown in  FIG. 17 , with the body-building device placed on a vertical upright support rod 302, 60-100 cm off ground, the user sits on the supporter, both legs bending and alternately lifting, while both arms twisting and lifting at the same time, and the upper body twisting to the direction of lifted leg. Repeat the above actions for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the abdominal muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     I. As shown in  FIG. 19 , with the body-building device placed on a vertical upright support rod, 60-100 cm off ground, the user takes a prone position, both tiptoes touching the supporter, the body stretched and both arms supported on the ground. Remain motionless for a predetermined time and above, or do push-ups for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the hand muscle groups, the chest muscle groups and the abdominal muscle groups of human body can be exercised. 
     J. As shown in  FIG. 23 , with the body-building device placed on a support rod with a support foot 300, 60-100 cm off ground, the user sits on the supporter, passing an elastic rope  301  through the support foot, both legs bending and feet touching the ground, meanwhile both hands holding both ends of the elastic ropes respectively and pulling in all directions. Repeat the above pulling actions for a predetermined number of times and above. In this way, the shoulder muscle groups of human body can be exercised.