Patent Publication Number: US-8113998-B2

Title: Device and method for training abdominal muscles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/IL2009/000092, International Filing Date Jan. 22, 2009, entitled Device and Method for Training Abdominal Muscles, published on Jul. 30, 2009 as International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2009/093245 claiming priority of U.S. Patent Application 61/006,588, filed Jan. 23, 2008 and U.S. Patent Application 61/136,360 filed Aug. 29, 2008, both which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Training of the abdominal set of muscles involves right activation of these muscles, while gradually bending the spinal backbone, preferably against controlled counter-force to allow controlled loading of these muscles. Only few devices for training the abdominal muscles are known which correctly lead the body of the user along a correct path of bending of the upper portion of the body. Most of these few devices are planned to use the user&#39;s own weight as a counter-force. None of these few devices is meant to be operated from a straight up position or a sitting position. Thus, when using most of the known devices, from a lay-down position the user has to overcome a substantially strong counter-power such as the user&#39;s own body weight. Yet for many users this is a limitation which may not be overcome, thus—such users are practically prevented from using the few known devices. Yet, training the abdominal muscles from a stand-up position without a counter-force against the bending body is almost useless, as the force required to be applied when the body bends down is substantially zero or even negative. If a training device known in the art is used, it will not lead the user&#39;s body to perform a correct bent trajectory as is required for the spinal backbone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A device and method according to the present invention are disclosed, in which a user may train his abdominal muscles properly, from a straight-up position thus the user is not forced to overcome an initial counter-power greater than is actually needed for the training, as the case is with devices used for training from a laid-down position or when performing sit-up exercises. In accordance to embodiments of the present invention, a device and method are disclose in which a device with a special mechanical pivoted system can accept the arms of the user, can provide a controllable counter-force and can lead the user&#39;s body to bent in the proper way, letting the spinal backbone bent properly and the abdominal muscles train properly while applying training force on the device. Yet, Yet, in accordance to other embodiments of the present invention, a device and method are disclose in which a system having a special spring, or a set of springs, can be held by, for example, the arms of the user, can provide a controllable counter-force and can lead the user&#39;s body to bent in the proper and healthy trajectory, letting the spinal backbone bent properly and the abdominal muscles train properly while applying training force on the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a desired trajectory performed when using a device for training abdominal muscles, in a straight up and in a bent position, respectively, according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a training device according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 C and  3 D are schematic illustrations of a training device according to embodiments of the present invention, shown in an angle of 30°, 60° and 90° of holding assembly, respectively, and  FIG. 3B  is a schematic detailed illustration of pivoted assembly according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a training device for the abdominal muscles, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a training device according to additional embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a desired trajectory performed when using the device illustrated in  FIG. 5  for training abdominal muscles, in a straight up and in a bent position, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a training device according to yet additional embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of a training device according to yet additional embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flow diagram of a method for using a training device in accordance to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
     Attention is made to  FIG. 1  which is a schematic illustration of a desired trajectory to be performed when using a device for training abdominal muscles, in a straight up and in a bent position, respectively, according to embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 1  depicts exemplary skeleton  100  which is used here to present the difference between a desired trajectory, or a curve of bending  104  of a human body  100 , presented by a trajectory drawn by the top of the head of body  100 . Trajectory  104  differs from, for example, a trajectory  106 , which is substantially a sector of a circle, performed by the body when training abdominal muscles by a device having a pivotal point close to the pelvis  102 , such as devices known in the art. 
     Attention is made to  FIG. 2 , which is a schematic illustration of a training device  200  according to embodiments of the present invention. Device  200  may comprise an installation coordinator unit  204 , a mechanical pivoting assembly  206  and holding assembly  208 . Device  200  may be installed on a substantially vertical support  202 , such as a wall or a beam. Coordinator unit  204  may be a simple installation plate to connect assembly  206  and holding assembly  208  to the wall, according to some embodiments of the present invention. According to other embodiments of the present invention coordinator unit  204  may be built to allow setting of assembly  206  and holding assembly  208  at a desired height above the floor, to fit the user&#39;s personal measurements. Assembly  206  may be connected onto coordinator unit  204 , for example, by vertical sliding rails equipped with preset locking positions and a locking mechanism (not shown), or free-running rails with locking mechanism allowing locking assembly  206  onto coordinator unit  204  at any desired point in the dynamic range of motion. Assembly  206  may comprise a specially designed pivoted mechanism which leads  208  from, for example, their most upper position (substantially vertical position) to a lower position, in such a path that forces the lower portion of the spinal backbone to bent properly, causing the bent point in the spinal backbone to move gradually from the lower backbone part to upper portions of the backbone as the bending angle increases. Holding assembly  208  may provide easy to use design. The movement of holding assembly  208 , when training force is applied for example by the user&#39;s hands to distal end point  209  of holding assembly  208 , is symbolized by dashed lines images of holding assembly  208 A,  208 B,  208 C and  208 D, while solid line  208  symbolizes a momentary position of holding assembly  208  at a given point in time. Device  200  may further comprise a counter-force unit  210  (schematically symbolized by a single head arc arrow). Counter-force unit  210  may be based on a simple spring which has to extend when holding assembly  208  is forced down, or on a pneumatic/hydraulic actuator (such as a piston) modified to provide a desired profile of forces in the dynamic range of the operation of holding assembly  208  as a function of the applied force by the user, the rate of change of the speed of movement, the user&#39;s weight etc. . . . . It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that the examples given above for embodiments of counter-force unit  210  are not limiting and many other configurations of controllable counter-force unit may fit. 
     It should be emphasized that assembly  206  may be realized in many ways yet, it is built, in all of its different embodiments, to ensure that when a user lays his arms on holding assembly  208  and pushes them down against counter-force unit  210 , the movement of holding assembly  208  with respect to coordinator unit  204 , against which the user&#39;s back leans, causes the spinal backbone to gradually bend in the desired manner along a curved path, ensuring correct workout of the abdominal muscles. 
     Attention is made now to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 C and  3 D which are schematic illustrations of training device  300  according to embodiments of the present invention, in an angle of inclination 30°, 60° and 90° of holding assembly  308 , respectively, and to  FIG. 3B  which is a schematic detailed illustration of pivoted assembly  306  according to embodiments of the present invention. Device  300  may comprise a coordinator plate  304 , a pivotal assembly  306 , device holding assembly  308  and counter-force unit  310 . Referring now to  FIG. 3B , assembly  306  may comprise, according to embodiments of the present invention, a back portion  306 A pivotally connected to short joint part  306 B and long joint part  306 D at their first ends, each. Both short joint part  306 B and long joint part  306 D are also connected, at their second ends to holding assembly connection joint  306 C as shown in the drawing. As may be clearly seen from  FIG. 3B , the movement of joint part  306 C up and down involves also smooth movement of joint part  306 C towards back portion  306 A, when it points up and away from back portion  306 A when joint part  306 C points horizontally (as it is drawn in  FIG. 3B ) and then, as joint part  306 C turns to point down it moves back towards back portion  306 A.  FIGS. 3C and 3D  present device  300  when holding assembly  308  are in 60° and 90°, respectively. 
     Attention is made now to  FIG. 4  which is a schematic illustration of a training device  400  for the abdominal muscles with holding assembly according to embodiments of the present invention. Device  400  may comprise a back coordinator plate  402  to enable installation on a support wall or beam  404 , a pivotal assembly  406  installed on coordinator plate  402  and holding assembly  408  connected to pivotal assembly  406  to provide pivoted movement up and down. Device  400  may further comprise counter-force unit  410  to provide counter-force to the user. According to embodiments of the present invention assembly  406  may comprise a first cogged section  406 A attached to coordinator plate  402  and a second cogged section  406 C adapted to engageably roll on first cogged section  406 A. First cogged section  406 A and second cogged section  406 C may be moveably secured to each other by linking rod  406 B. Holding assembly  408  may be fixedly attached to second cogged section  406 C and move and turn with it, as it rolls on first cogged section  406 A. 
     It will be noted that the specific path of movement of holding assembly of  FIG. 2 ,  FIGS. 3A-3D  and  FIG. 4  may be personally adapted to fit to the user&#39;s physical dimensions or the user&#39;s physiological needs. For example, the actual dimensions of joint parts  306 B and  306 D and the distances between the involved pivoted connections  306 E may be changed to control the actual path of movement of holding assembly  308 , as may be needed for a specific user. Similarly, the radiuses of cogged sections  406 A and  406 C of  FIG. 4  may be changed to control the actual path of movement of holding assembly  408  to fit the needs of a specific user. 
     It will also be noted that the force applied by counter-force unit  310 ,  410  may be adjustable to enable meeting the training needs of the user. Additionally, the nature of the force applied by counter-force unit  310 ,  410  may also be controlled to provide one of several profiles of force versus amount for the movement of the arms, versus the speed of movement of the arms, etc. 
     Attention is made now to  FIG. 5 , which is a schematic illustration of a training device  500  according to additional embodiments of the present invention; 
     Device  500  may comprise a base  502  to which a supporting hollow column  504  is attached, substantially vertically. An insert  506  may be made to closely fit into the internal dimensions of column  504  and allow easy movement of insert  506  inside column  504 . Column  504  may have one or more holes  508  at least at one of its facets  510  and preferably also at the corresponding opposite facet (not shown). One or more holes with internal diameter same as holes  508  may be made in insert  506 , to allow fixing of insert  506  inside column  504  in one of several locations, to adjust the amount at which insert  506  extends out of column  504 . However, other methods and arrangements for allowing adjustment of the amount at which insert  506  extends out of column  504  may be used, such as using a piston, for example hydraulic or pneumatic, and the like. It would be apparent for a person skilled in the art that any known device and method may be used for adjusting the extension of insert  506  out of column  504  and the fixation of insert  506  to column  504 . 
     A set  512  of leaf springs  514 ,  516 ,  518 ,  520  . . . may be attached to the upper end of insert  506  so that the springs form a cascaded arrangement where second leaf spring  516  is attached next to a first leaf spring  514  and only partially overlapping it, so that a certain length of leaf spring  514  is not attached to leaf spring  516 . Similarly a third leaf spring  518  is attached next to said second leaf spring  516  and only partially overlapping it, etc. Set of etc. Set of springs  512  may comprise one or more leaf springs. Leaf springs  514 ,  516  . . . may be arranged so that the amount of overlapping of leaf spring  516  over leaf spring  514  and the amount of overlapping of leaf spring  518  over leaf spring  516 , etc., may be adjustable. A holding assembly  522  may be connected substantially at the end of springs set  512 , allowing holding and applying of bending force by a user when held by the user&#39;s hands. The extension adjustment of insert  506  within column  504  allows the adjustment of the total height of device  500  to fit the specific height of the user. 
     When a user stands on base  502  with his/her back abuts column  504  and he/she holds holding assembly  522 , after it was adjusted to fit his/her height, pulling of holding assembly forwards and downwards may invoke a bending force on springs set  512  so that first the leaf spring with lesser counter-force, that is spring  514 , bends. When force applied by the user grows bigger at a certain point leaf spring  516  begins bending, adding its counter-force to the total counter force of springs set  512 . Similarly springs  518 ,  520  and so on may join the active group of leaf springs and provide their respective counter force. Thus, the applying of bending force by a user to holding assembly  522  may invoke a counter force that is a function of the performed path, along trajectory  518 , which has already been made so that the counter force grows bigger due to the nature if operation of each single spring and due the changing number of springs activated at each point of the trajectory. This leads the user to perform a correct bending movement of the spinal backbone and therefore correct activation and training of the abdominal muscles. In order to adjust the training force and the specific trajectory to the user, the overlapping of each leaf spring over its adjacent leaf spring may be separately and uniquely adjusted. Alternatively or additionally the unique spring force function may also be controlled by dictating the thickness of the spring and/or the material it is made of. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention device  500  may comprise a rear support  524  for providing a rear lower support to be used when training. The support may be made of any suitable material, size and shape. Rear support  524  may be attached fixedly onto insert  506 , or may be moveable to provide further freedom in adapting device  500  for a specific user. 
     Attention is made now to  FIG. 6  which is a schematic illustration of a desired trajectory performed when using the training device  500  ( FIG. 5 ) for training abdominal muscles, in a straight up and in a bent position, respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a user&#39;s body  600 , using device  500  (which is presented in details hereinabove) when in a bent position, the user&#39;s body performing a correct curve, or trajectory,  602 . 
     Attention is made now to  FIG. 7 , which is a schematic illustration of a training device  700  according to additional embodiments of the present invention. Training device  700  may comprise a base  702 , a column  704  attached to base  702  substantially vertically, an insert  708 , functioning similarly to insert  506  of  FIG. 5  and allowing adjustment of the amount of its insertion into, or out of column  704  similarly to the way it is described with respect to column  504  and insert  506  of  FIG. 5 . Device  700  may further comprise a set of joints  710 , comprising two or more joints  712 ,  714 ,  716  . . . attached to the upper end of insert  708 . Joints  712 ,  714 ,  716  may be pivotally connected to each other and their pivots may be substantially parallel to each other, arranged in a totem pole type of arrangement extending substantially upright when no force is applied by the user to the holding assembly  720  of the device. The pivotal connection is made to allow free pivoted movement in an imaginary plane comprising in it column  704  and crossing base  702  substantially in the middle, along dashed line  703 . Joints  712 ,  714 ,  716 , etc. may be connected to insert  708  and one to its adjacent joint also with springs  711 ,  713 ,  715  respectively in a spinal backbone like structure, wherein the pivots of joints  712 ,  714 ,  716  correlate to the cartilage off the human backbone and springs  711 ,  713 ,  715  correlate to the muscles and tendons of a spinal backbone. The topmost joint, in the example of  FIG. 7  joint  716 , may also comprise or be attached to a holding assembly  720 , allowing holding device  700  by user&#39;s hands and applying of bending force by the user. When a user applies bending force to holding assembly  720  pulling force is applied, acting to extend springs  711 ,  713 ,  715 , etc, each at its time. The length of each of joints  712 ,  714 ,  716 , and the spring force coefficient of each of springs  711 ,  713 ,  715  etc. may be selected to fit to the needs of a specific user, so as to enforce the user to perform the right bending trajectory when using device  700  and to allow the user to select the right bending force. The specific parameters of springs  711 ,  713 ,  715  etc. may be selected to cause, for example, spring  715  to extend first when force applied to holding assembly  720 , and only after a certain force has been applied to begin extending of spring  713 , etc. thus controlling the specific trajectory performed by the user of device  700 . 
     According to embodiments of the present invention device  700  may comprise a rear support (not shown) for providing a rear lower support to be used when training. The support may be made of any suitable material, size and shape. The rear support may be attached fixedly onto insert  708 , or may be moveable to provide further freedom in adapting device  700  for a specific user. 
     Attention is made now to  FIG. 8 , which is a schematic illustration of a training device  800  according to yet additional embodiments of the present invention. Training device  800  may comprise a base  802 , a column  804  attached to base  802  substantially vertically, an insert  808 , functioning similarly to insert  506  or  708  of  FIGS. 5 and 7  respectively, and allowing adjustment of the amount of its insertion into, or out of column  804  similarly to the way it is described with respect to column  504 ,  704  and insert  506 ,  708  of  FIGS. 5 and 7 , respectively. Device  800  may further comprise a spring  810  attached to the upper end of insert  808 , which may have zones along its longitudinal dimension, such as zones  812  and  814 , each having a different spring factor or coefficient, thus providing different response to a bending force. A holding assembly  820  may be connected substantially at the upper end of spring  810 , allowing holding and applying of bending force by a user when held by the user&#39;s hands. When in use the user may stand on base  802 , adjust the amount of insertion of insert  808  into, or out of column  804 , to fit the height of holding assembly  820  to the needs of the user. When the user applies a bending force via holding assembly  820  spring  810  may bend according to the specific bending factor vs. force at each zone, for example zones  812 ,  814  of spring  810 . For example, spring  810  may be designed so that the first section that will bend when a growing bending force is applied to holding assembly  810  will be the upper section, and after it will bend a section adjacent lower of the first section, etc. A proper design of spring  810  will provide the required bending counter force to the user and will cause spring  810  to bend so that the user&#39;s body will follow the desired and correct bending trajectory, allowing the abdominal muscles to properly be worked and be trained. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention device  800  may comprise a rear support (not shown) for providing a rear lower support to be used when training. The rear support may be made of any suitable material, size and shape. The rear support may be attached fixedly onto insert  808 , or may be moveable to provide further freedom in adapting device  800  for a specific user. 
     Attention is made now to  FIG. 9  which illustrates a flow diagram of a method for using a training device in accordance to embodiments of the present invention. The method may comprise standing with the back of the user adjacent to vertical supporting means of a training device (block  902 ), holding of holding assembly (block  904 ), and applying bending force against one end of a holding assembly to move the holding assembly downwards along a trajectory with varying radius (block  906 ). 
     While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.