Abstract:
A postural awareness apparatus includes a pad, a signal generating element and an element for detecting a weight applied to the pad and activating the signal generating element when the weight so detected exceeds a predetermined weight.

Description:
[0001]     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/023,038, filed Feb. 13, 1998, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to devices for strengthening the lower back, low abdomen and posture on multiple planes, and for teaching a neutral spine.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Devices for monitoring, controlling and correcting posture are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,935, to Verhaeghe; U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,032, to Brooks; U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,625, to Fraser et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,929, to Sawhill; U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,310, to Hsien; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,401, to Brucker. However, such corrective devices are not designed specifically for use in strengthening the low abdomen and lower back of the user.  
         [0004]     A need exists for an apparatus that is useful in an exercise regimen for strengthening the low abdomen and lower back of a human. A need also exists for an apparatus that informs the user when the neutral spine position is maintained during exercise in multiple positions (e.g., sitting, lying, standing).  
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0005]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus including a pad, signal means and detection means. The signal means is affixed to the pad, and the detection means detects a weight applied to the pad and activates the signal means when the weight so detected exceeds a predetermined weight.  
         [0006]     In preferred embodiments, the signal means produces a vibratory signal, an auditory signal or a visible signal. More preferably, the signal means produces a vibratory signal and includes at least one vibrator unit.  
         [0007]     According to another preferred embodiment, the inventive apparatus includes a head rest affixed to the pad, preferably detachably affixed to the pad and spaced from the signal means. Preferably the head rest includes a plurality of handles.  
         [0008]     According to a more specific embodiment, the inventive apparatus includes a a wedge for insertion between the head rest and the pad.  
         [0009]     In another preferred embodiment, the detection means includes a mechanical switch which closes when a weight applied thereto exceeds a predetermined pressure. According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the detection means includes a pressure sensor and an electronic circuit which generates an output when pressure measured by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined pressure.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of strengthening the abdomen and lower back of a human by use of an apparatus as described herein.  
         [0011]     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which  
         [0013]      FIGS. 1   a - b  are top plan and exploded side views, respectively, of a first embodiment employing a detachable head rest and a lumbar pad, with vibrator units and pressure sensors disposed within the lumbar unit shown in phantom;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 2   a - c  are top, side and end views of a detachable head rest employed with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1   a - b ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the lumbar pad of  FIGS. 1   a - b  showing the location of pressure sensors and vibrator units within the pad;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 4   a - c  are top, sectional and side views of an alternative embodiment of a head rest with separate pressure sensors, vibrator units and a control switch;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side exploded view of an alternative embodiment including a kyphosis wedge;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 6   a - b  are schematic diagrams showing a mechanical switch useful as a pressure sensor, showing activated and inactivated states;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a pressure sensor with light-generating signal means and an external power supply;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment in which two pressure sensors are employed in sequence, one in the head rest and one in the lumbar pad.  
         [0021]     Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     The present invention provides devices and methods for strengthening the lower back and low abdomen, and for teaching the user to maintain a neutral spine. By “neutral spine” is meant a biomechanically correct spinal position in which muscular balance is maintained. Neutral spine positions vary with the posture of the user; for example, the neutral spine position of a user with kyphosis will differ from the neutral spine position of a user having a normal posture.  
         [0023]     Turning now to the figures, in  FIGS.1-3 , a first embodiment of an apparatus  10  of the invention includes a mat  12 , preferably comprised of a non-slip material, with a lumbar pad  14  and a head support  16 .  
         [0024]     Lumbar pad  14  preferably is unitary with mat  12 , that is, is formed from a section of mat  12 . Disposed within lumbar pad  14  are means  18  for detecting a weight applied to a surface  20  of lumbar pad  14 . The weight detecting means  18  can include means such as one or more mechanical switches, one or more pressure sensors, or other means known to those skilled in the art for detecting a weight applied to a surface.  
         [0025]     The weight detecting means  18  are connected to one or more means  22  for producing a signal. The signal means  22  are activated when the selected weight detecting means  18  detect a weight applied to the surface  20  of mat  12 . Once activated, the signal means  22  produce a signal that is perceptible by a person using the inventive apparatus.  
         [0026]     Exemplary signal means  22  include, without limitation, devices for producing a vibratory signal, such as a mechanical vibrator; devices for producing an auditory signal, such as an electronic tone generator; devices for producing a visible signal, such as a light bulb or a light-emitting diode (LED); and the like, as well as combinations of such devices. The signal means  22  can be affixed to or within the apparatus  10 , for example within lumbar pad  14 , or can be located externally. The detection means  18  and the signal means  22  are connected together, for example as parts of an electrical circuit, or by means such as low-power radio transmitters. Any means for enabling detection means  18  to activate signal means  22  are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0027]     Optionally, lumbar pad  14  can accommodate one or more lordosis inserts  14   a  disposed above detection means  18  in order to support users having excessive lordotic sway. Lumbar pad  14  can also optionally include a switch (not shown) for disabling signal means  22  to allow use of the apparatus without generation of a signal.  
         [0028]     Head support  16  includes a head/neck base  24  and a cervico-thoracic support  26 . A neck support  28 , which optionally is adjustable in width, is disposed on head support  16  between head/neck base  24  and cervico-thoracic support  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1   b,  head support  16  is detachably affixed to mat  12  by attachment means  30 , for example hook/loop devices such as Velcro® fasteners, snaps, etc., in order to allow selectable positioning of the head support  16 , and also to allow head support  16  to be used separately if desired. In the alternative, head support  16  can be permanently affixed to mat  12 .  
         [0029]     In a preferred embodiment, head support  16  is provided with a plurality of handles  32 . Handles  32  can be formed by cutting openings in base  24 , for example, or can be separately formed and affixed to base  24 .  
         [0030]     If desired, mat surface  20  can be provided with graphics  34 , such as a stylized representation of a human pelvis and lower backbone, in order to facilitate orientation of a user with respect to the mat surface. Illustrations of the positions of TLC pressure points and the locations of the detection means  18  are also beneficial to assist the user in properly orientation with respect to the apparatus  10 .  
         [0031]     In a preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , signal means  22  include two vibrators  36  disposed within lumbar pad  14  along either side of the longitudinal axis  38  of mat  12 . Vibrators  36  are connected to detection means  18  and are activated when detection means  18  detect a weight (e.g., the weight of a user&#39;s body) applied to the surface  20  of mat  12 .  
         [0032]     An exemple of detection means  18 , illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a - b,  include a power source  40 , which can be a battery disposed, for example, within lumbar support  14  or at another location within, on or external to apparatus  10 , or A/C power supplied via a plug; a mechanical switch  42  energized by a spring having a preselected spring constant; and a pair of contacts  44 , which with signal means  22 , such as a vibrator, form a circuit. In  FIG. 6   a,  a weight, for example the weight of a user&#39;s body (indicated by a downward arrow), exceeds the spring force and causes the mechanical switch  42  to close, closing the circuit and activating signal means  22 . Thus, when the user remains in contact with detection means  18 , the circuit remains closed and the signal means  22  remains activated. When the signal means includes a vibrator unit  46  (shown in  FIGS. 6   a - b ), the user perceives a vibratory signal applied to his back; in the alternative, when the signal means  22  includes a tone generator, light bulb, or LED, the user hears and/or sees the signal generated by the signal means  22 . In any event, the user is informed when his back is in contact with the detection means  18  and exerts sufficient downward force to cause switch  42  to close.  
         [0033]     An alternative embodiment of detection means  18  includes a pressure sensor and an associated electronic circuit in place of the mechanical switch.  
         [0034]     Such accompanying circuits are readily produced by those skilled in the art to generate an output signal in response to application of a predetermined pressure to the pressure sensor. This output signal in turn activates signal means  22 . Detection means  18  can also include means for measuring the  25  weight (or force) exerted by the thoraco-lumbar area of the user.  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the inventive apparatus in which a pressure sensor  48  is employed rather than a mechanical switch. The signal means includes a light bulb  50 . Power is supplied from an external A/C power supply via plug  52 .  
         [0036]     Optionally, a kyphosis wedge  54  is inserted between head support  16  and mat  12 , to accommodate users with a head-forward position.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 4   a - c illustrate an alternative embodiment of a head support  116  which includes detection means  118  disposed within head/neck base  124 , and signal means  122 . As illustrated, the signal means include vibrators disposed within neck support  128 . Detection means  118  activate the signal means  122  (e.g., vibrators) when the user&#39;s head leaves contact with detection means  118 . For example, when detection means  118  includes a mechanical switch, the switch is in an open position when the user&#39;s head is in contact with it, rather than in a closed position as with detection means  18  described above. When detection means  118  includes a pressure sensor, the accompanying electronic circuit produces a signal when the pressure detected falls below a predetermined level, rather than exceeding a predetermined level.  
         [0038]     If desired, a 3-way switch  130  can be connected to detection means  118  and the vibrators. The switch  130  allows the user to selectively enable or disable the detection means  118  and to separately control activation of the vibrators. Thus, in one position, the detection means  118  are enabled to activate the vibrators as described above with respect to detection means  18  and signal means  22 . In a second position, the detection means  118  are disabled, and the vibrators are deactivated. In a third position, the detection means are disabled, and the vibrators are activated, thus allowing selective user relaxation and massage while using the inventive apparatus.  
         [0039]     The detector means  118  in the foregoing embodiment of the head support  116  can be connected in series to the detector means  18  disposed, for example, within lumbar support  14  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the signal means  22  (and optionally vibrators disposed within head support  116 ) are activated only when both detector means  118  and detector means  18  detect a weight, such as the weight of a user&#39;s head and body, respectively.  
         [0040]     The signal (vibratory, auditory, visual, etc.) provided by the inventive apparatus allows the user to heighten the intensity of muscles being worked by eliminating momentum. When in use, the signal informs the user that his thoraco-lumbar area compresses the detection means  18  sufficiently to ensure the isolation of the correct muscles usage.  
         [0041]     The inventive apparatus preferably is used on a horizontal surface such as a floor or exercise bench. If desired, mat  12  can be provided with attachment means, such as a hook or clamp, which allows the apparatus to be affixed to a vertical surface such as a door. The apparatus can also be used on surfaces such as chairs.  
         [0042]     The signal provided by the inventive apparatus constitutes feedback to the user while exercising, which permits the user to minimize momentum and maximize intensity. To begin exercise using the inventive apparatus in a supine position, the belt line of the user is lined up with the lumbar pad  14 , and the head/neck support  16  is positioned under the user&#39;s neck where it is comfortable. If necessary, the position of the head/neck support  16  is adjusted to accommodate the user. In use, the low back is compressed into lumbar pad  14  until a signal is generated by the signal means  22 . Constant tension is maintained isometrically by tightening the involved muscles.  
         [0043]     Use of the alternative embodiment of the head/neck support  116  permits the user to avoid neck strain. If the user lifts his head during abdominal training, resulting in neck strain, the head lift is signaled to the user by the signal means  122 , such as a vibration to the neck. The user can then lower his head to contact the head/neck support  116 .  
         [0044]     A progressive exercise routine designed specifically for the inventive apparatus will allow the user to start with the short (e.g.,  4  minute) drill series and progress at his own pace. Precision postural positioning for strong “neutral spine” occurs when the user re-educates the neuro-muscular system using the inventive apparatus.  
         [0045]     The invention has been illustrated herein as a self-contained apparatus. However, the invention can also be incorporated into another object, including without limitation objects such as an exercise apparatus (e.g., an inclined rowing machine), an exercise bench, a chair, a bed, etc. The invention can also be separately produced and subsequently affixed to another object.