Patent Publication Number: US-8529413-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for lower back exercise

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates to an improved apparatus and method for exercising and strengthening the lower back. 
     2. Background 
     Back muscle and cartilage injuries, especially in the lower lumbar region of the back are relatively common. Such injuries are especially common in persons who have failed to maintain the conditioning and tone of the muscles that support the lower back. These muscles, the spinal erectors and hip flexor, must be maintained in reasonable condition if such muscle and cartilage injuries are to be protected against. 
     Additionally, once injury has occurred, healing can be promoted by increasing the flow of blood to the injured muscles and the areas surrounding the injury. Unfortunately, the number and density of blood vessels in the lower back area is relatively low. Exercise, however, is believed by many to stimulate increased blood flow. A drawback to most forms of exercise is the risk or tendency of hyperextension of the already injured muscles thereby aggravating the injury rather than promoting healing of the muscles, cartilage and surrounding tissues. 
     There have been a number of attempts to exercise the back and other body parts to increase muscle tone and stimulate the flow of blood to muscles and tissues, such as devices having one section in which the user lies on his side, and a second section attached to the user&#39;s legs, which the user rotates about a vertical axis; or machines including a horizontal torso support from which the legs hang vertically downward; the user then lifts his legs to the horizontal to exercise the lower back. 
     However, none of these previous attempts have met the exercise needs of individuals who have already sustained lower back injuries or whose lower back areas are too out-of-condition to be able to withstand rigorous exercise. In order for exercise to be of value, it must progressively increase in intensity. A common method of increasing the intensity of an exercise is through the use of increased resistance from static weight additions. However, adding weight to an exercise can increase the hyperextension of lower back muscles. Therefore, weight training is not generally recommended for those suffering from lower back muscle, tissue and cartilage injuries. 
     There is a need for a method of exercise and an exercise apparatus that avoids hyperextension of lower back muscles while providing for conditioning and muscle tone, and which can increase local blood circulation to injured muscles and tissues in the lower back. There is also a need for an exercise that can permit progressive intensity of the work out to strengthen lower back muscles, tissues and provide increased blood flow to those areas. U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,212 to Applicant Louis J. Simmons, the disclosure of which patent is incorporated into the present disclosure in its entirety, but which is not admitted to be prior art by its inclusion in this background section, partly addresses these needs. The present application is an improved apparatus allowing for independent exercise of the legs and back muscles associated with them, as well as presenting other novel features. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the same embodiment, showing elements of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the same embodiment, showing elements of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view of an alternate embodiment of a resistance transfer apparatus. 
         FIGS. 5-8  illustrate methods of using the disclosed embodiments to perform exercises for the lower back. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the exercise apparatus ( 100 ) has a frame ( 110 ), preferably made of steel for strength. The frame ( 110 ) is supported by legs ( 120 ). The top of the frame ( 110 ) preferably has a padded body-support platform ( 130 ) to support the user&#39;s body. This embodiment has optional handgrips ( 140 ) to assist the user in mounting the apparatus ( 100 ) and holding himself or herself in exercise position; that is, belly down, with the legs rearward. 
     In this disclosure, the “forward” direction with respect to the apparatus is to the right in  FIG. 2 , and the “rearward” direction is to the left in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 1-3  show a right pendulum ( 150 ) and a left pendulum ( 160 ) connected to the frame ( 110 ) at pivots ( 180 ). The pivots may be merely holes in a flange engaging a pin, but are preferably ball bearings, allowing the pendulums ( 150 ,  160 ) to pivot independently of one another, as shown most clearly in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each of the right pendulum ( 150 ) and the left pendulum ( 160 ) comprises an arm ( 170 ); the arm ( 170 ) pivotably connects the respective pendulums ( 150 ,  160 ) to the frame ( 110 ) at the pivots ( 180 ). 
     First Embodiment 
     Each arm ( 170 ) is connected to a resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ) by means of a pivoting linkage ( 210 ). The connection of each pivoting linkage ( 210 ) to the arms ( 170 ) is preferably adjustable by means of a sleeve and pin combination ( 220 ), but the pivoting linkage ( 210 ) may be connected directly to the arm ( 170 ). The resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ) comprises a second arm ( 200 ). This second arm ( 200 ) preferably has padded bars ( 230 ) extending approximately perpendicular to it, to engage the lower legs of the person exercising, generally by holding the bars ( 230 ) with the ankles, thus working the back muscles against the resistance of raising and lower the pendulums ( 150 ,  160 ). An optional skid ( 280 ) may be connected to the second arm ( 200 ) to lift either resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ,  350 ) off the ground and make it easier for the person exercising to slide his or her feet into place. 
     A transverse rod ( 285 ) is preferably provided so that the user can place his or her foot thereon to work the gluteals and hamstrings. 
     Each arm ( 170 ) preferably has some means for adding resistance to the movement of the right pendulum ( 150 ) and left pendulum ( 160 ). In the figures, this means is shown as a post ( 240 ) connected approximately perpendicular to the respective arms ( 170 ), for supporting conventional weight disks ( 250 ). The frame ( 110 ) preferably has foot steps ( 260 ) connected to it to assist the user in mounting the apparatus ( 100 ) and assuming the correct position for exercise. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In another embodiment, a strap ( 270 ) may be connected to the each of the arms ( 170 ) of the respective right pendulum ( 150 ) and left pendulum ( 160 ), as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The straps ( 270 ), as an alternate resistance transfer apparatus, may be connected whether the previously disclosed resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ) is present or not. The person exercising can slip his or her ankles into the straps ( 270 ) and work against the resistance afforded by the weights ( 250 ). 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 4  shows detail of an alternate embodiment ( 290 ) where the pivoting linkage ( 210 ) is replaced by a bar comprising two sections ( 300 , 330 ). A first section ( 300 ) is pivotably connected by a pivot ( 310 ) to one of the respective arms ( 170 ) of the right pendulum ( 150 ) or left pendulum ( 160 ). The first section ( 300 ) has spaced holes ( 320 ). A second section ( 330 ) is connected as a sleeve over the first section ( 300 ) and adjustably locked thereto by a pin ( 340 ) fitting into one of the adjusting holes ( 320 ). In this way, the total length of the respective pendulums ( 150 ,  160 ) can be adjusted by moving the resistance transfer apparatus ( 350 ) of this embodiment nearer or farther from the end of the respective arms ( 170 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , the resistance transfer apparatus ( 350 ) of this embodiment is connected to the second section ( 330 ) at a pivot ( 360 ). 
     Method of Use 
     Using the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , as an example, and as depicted in  FIGS. 5-8 , a user may mount the apparatus so that his or her torso to the waist is fully supported by body support platform ( 130 ). The user&#39;s lower legs pass through the resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ). Weights ( 250 ) are shown in place on the posts ( 240 ). Preferably, the exercise is begun with the ankles passing through the ankle pads ( 230 ) of the resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ). At this point, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the right pendulum ( 150 ) and the left pendulum ( 160 ) are substantially vertical with respect to the body support platform ( 130 ). 
     The exercise begins by the user contracting the muscles of the lower back (i.e., spinal erectors and hip flexors) and the gluteus maximus. The legs, working separately against the variable combined weight of the pendulums ( 150 ,  160 ) and thus the weights ( 250 ), are moved upward to a substantially horizontal position with respect to the body support platform ( 130 ), bringing the pivoting arms ( 170 ) upward as they pivot on their respective individual pivots ( 180 ). See  FIGS. 6-7 . 
     In the example shown, the pivoting linkage ( 210 ) connecting the pivoting arms ( 150 ) and the resistance transfer apparatus ( 190 ) allows the pivoting arms ( 170 ) and the attached ankle pads ( 230 ) to move so as to keep the pads ( 230 ) engaged with the user&#39;s legs, preferably at the ankles. 
     The user then lowers the legs, not by simply relaxing the muscles, but by lowering the legs using all the muscle groups of the upper legs and lower back. The legs are fully lowered to at least the vertical and then are pushed by muscle action forward past the vertical, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Thus, the total range of motion of the legs is greater than 90 degrees. After the user has pushed the legs as far past the vertical as he or she can, the exercise begins again by contracting the muscles and pushing the legs back to the horizontal. The exercise is then repeated the number of times desired by the user exercising. 
     The exercise is best performed as a smooth continuous action through the iterations. At all points in the exercise, the legs and correspondingly the affected muscles only push and are never pulled from one station to the next. The result is that hyperextension of muscles is avoided and the injured muscles of the lower back are permitted to receive an increase flow of blood. Additionally, in a user with an otherwise healthy lower back, the exercise builds up those lower back muscles thus avoiding future injury. 
     None of the description in this application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope; the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 U.S.C. Section 112 unless the exact words “means for” are used, followed by a gerund. The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, and no subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, or abandoned.