WO2002068068A1

WO2002068068A1 - Exerciser

Info

Publication number: WO2002068068A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/000842
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Peter Morris
Original assignee: John Peter Morris
Priority date: 2001-02-27
Filing date: 2002-02-26
Publication date: 2002-09-06
Also published as: GB0104797D0

Abstract

An exerciser 1,41 is provider in which an arc element 2,42 provides a curve (43) on one side and a rest 3,44 on the other side. Thus, the exerciser 1,41 can tilt about a pivot surface 6,47 in a rocking motion in order to provide exercise to inhibit thrombosis in a user during extended periods of sedentary or enforced sitting such as on an aircraft.

Description

Exerciser

The present invention relates to exercisers and more particularly exercisers to stimulate blood flow.

As people in the western world increasing lead sedentary lifestyles with substantial periods of sitting in an office or in cramped conditions on an aeroplane or public transport, problems can arise with regard to thrombosis particularly clotting in the legs. Thus, increasing attention has been placed upon providing adequate exercise to stimulate some blood flow in order to prevent thrombosis and blood clotting. The simplest approach is to regularly stimulate some blood flow by walking a few yards about an office e.g. to the coffee machine or up and down the aisle on an aeroplane. Clearly, particularly with regard to an aircraft it is not always convenient for passengers to, or regularly, move up and down an aircraft, particularly when flying through turbulence. In any event, it is easy to forget to take the necessary exercising steps or perform insufficient exercise to provide the necessary beneficial effects.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exerciser comprising an arc element including a heel end and a toe end with a rest between the heel end and the toe end upon one side of the arc element whilst the other side defines a curve upon which the exerciser can tilt with a rocking motion when a user engages the rest.

Preferably, the curve comprises two dis-similar but conjoined angular surfaces in order to facilitate an abrupt of jerked step in the rocking motion. Typically, the exerciser pivots about a pivot surface between the dis-similar but conjoined angular surfaces of the curve. Generally, the pivot surface will include a non-slip surface to facilitate slow location of the exerciser on a surface. Normally, the pivot surface will be off centre within the curve, usually to the front of the exerciser. Preferably, the rest comprises a ridge in the arc element. Normally, the ridge will be to one side of the pivot surface on the other side of the exerciser, usually toward the heel end. Typically, the ridge has a curved apex. Advantageously, the ridge has a steeper edge side toward the heel end of the exerciser to facilitate engagement with the user. Usually, the exerciser has a thicker cross-section above the pivot surface and/or to a side of the ridge toward the toe end of the exerciser. Possibly, the rest comprises a bar across the exerciser held in cradle mountings either side of the exerciser up standing from the other side to that upon which the curve is defined.

Preferably, the arc element includes a mounting for a locator device. Normally, the mounting comprises a hole in which the locator device is fixed to allow location of the exerciser for engagement in use with a user. Typically, the locator device comprises a rod with an attachment end to form an attachment to the mounting and ready release from the exerciser when located. Advantageously, the rod is telescopic to allow ready storage and portage.

Preferably, the exerciser includes a motion sensor to count rocking motion of the exerciser.

Possibly, the exerciser includes stimulation means to provide one or more of the following advisory indicators to a user;

a) that exercise is advisable due to lack of motion for a period of time; b) in association with a motion sensor, the number of motions performed since current exercise began and/or the rate of motions and/or whether the rate of motions is acceptable for desired performance; c) a rhythmic stimulus for synchronised motion by the user to achieve the desired exercise level.

The advisor indicator may be an audible sound or a light indicator. Where an audible sound this can be provided to the user through headphones. Preferably, a rotary mounting is provided upon the curve, usually below the pivot surface in order to allow some lateral motion. Typically, the rotary mounting will include a twist device whereby the rocking motion also forces a twist in the arc element through that rotary motion.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise assembly in which two exercisers as described above are secured together with a resistance device between them whereby respective rocking motion of each exercise is opposed by the resistance device to present a predetermined resistance to such rocking motion in use.

Preferably, the resistance device is adjustable to allow the pre-determined resistance to be varied as required by a user. Normally, the resistance device will comprise a piston damper arrangement where the rocking motion displaces a piston within a cylinder filled with fluid and the rocking motion of each exerciser displaces the piston in an opposite direction within the cylinder to the other.

Alternatively, the resistance device could comprise a captive detent in a helix path which presents resistance to that captive detent as it rocks to and fro in accordance with the rocking motion presented to each exerciser.

Advantageously, with an exerciser or an exercise assembly in accordance with the present invention a controller can be provided whereby a user can determine an exercise programme including rocking motion rate and/or time period of exercise and/or number of rocking motions in order to achieve their objective.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of an exerciser;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a rest bar used with the first embodiment depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a locator device used with regard to an exerciser;

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an exerciser;

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of an exerciser assembly;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of an exerciser secured to a locator device.

Referring to Fig. 1 showing a first embodiment of an exerciser 1 in accordance with the present invention in a schematic perspective view. The exerciser 1 comprises an arc element in the form of a base which defines a curve 2 on one side and rest 3 on the other. The arc element has a heel end 4 and a toe end 5 such that the exerciser 1 can tilt with a rocking motion about a pivot surface 6 between respective dis-similar but conjoined angular surfaces 7,8. The rocking motion is illustrated through arrow heads A. In the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 the arc element essentially comprises a frame incorporating a cross-member 9 for strength and cradle mountings 10,11 upon which a rest bar 15 as depicted in Fig. 2 is secured. Thus, the exerciser 1 is lightweight but robust. If necessary, open frame areas 12,13 can be filled with a foam or other packing material for user comfort. Alternatively, these areas, 12,13 could be filled with advertising or other promotional signage where the exerciser is provided as a promotional item by an airline or other provider.

The cradle mountings 10,11 essentially comprise raised portions of the arc element in which holes are drilled as illustrated. These holes correspond with pegs 14 shown in the rest bar 15 illustrated in Fig. 2. The rest bar 15 will abut the top surface of the cradle mountings 10,11 in order to provide a foot rest for engagement with a user's foot in use.

In order to exercise with the exerciser 1 a user will locate their foot whether wearing shoes or not such that their heel is located towards the heel end 4 of the exerciser 1 and the rest co-operates with the arch of that user's foot or heel of their shoe. Thus, the user can rock the exerciser forwards and backwards as illustrated with regard to arrow heads A. This rocking motion has been found sufficient to create some cardio-vascular flow in the user and in particular the user's legs in order to inhibit thrombosis and blood clotting as a result of inactivity. The phenomenon of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should be inhibited by use of the exerciser 1.

Normally, the pivot surface 6 about which the exerciser 1 tilts in the rocking motion will incorporate a non-slip surface to facilitate easier user rocking motion using the exerciser 1. This non-slip surface may be formed from a knurled pattern thereabout or use of a sticky patch or rubber sole.

In order to facilitate more positive engagement between a user's foot and the exerciser 1 normally the rest bar 15 will be presented slightly to one side of the mounting cradle 10, 11 and the slope of the rest 15 towards the heel end 4 will be relatively steep for more positive engagement with the instep arch of a user's foot.

The thickness of the exerciser 1 above the pivot surface 6 and normally to the toe end side of the rest will be relatively thick in order to withstand any structural stresses presented by the user's foot during the rocking motion.

The surfaces 7,8 as indicated previously have a dis-similar but conjoined relationship about the pivot surface 6. Thus, in the rocking motion there is an abrupt or jerked step in the tilt or rocking motion forced by the users foot manipulation exercise. This again facilitates an exercising action and also provides some resistance for the exercising process. Usually, in addition to having different angular presentations, the surfaces 7,8 also have different engagement lengths as part of the curve 2 surface to accommodate the relatively different angular rotations as a user exercises their foot about their ankle joint. The rest bar 15 can be adjusted in the holes of the mounting cradles 10, 11 for correct height with regard to foot position.

An aperture 16 in the side of the arc element 2 is arranged to accommodate a control device. This control device provides normally an audible signal to indicate through time spaced beeps the rate of rocking necessary for appropriate exercising. Furthermore, a motion sensor can be incorporated in the exerciser 1 in order to determine the number of rocking motions performed since the exercise period began so that the number, rate and acceptable amount of exercise has been performed. The controller may simply act as a timer to indicate start and stop for rocking motion exercise.

The control device may act through headphones or a light signal deducible by the user.

Holes 17 provide mountings for a locator device described later. This locator device allows the exerciser to be placed in an appropriate position below a user's foot in the confined spaces typical in aircraft seating or below an office desk.

Fig. 3 illustrates a locator device 20 which comprises a handle 21 and an extendible rod element 22 with a locator end 23 secured at the end of the rod 22. In use the locator device 20 will have the exerciser 1 located on the locator end 23 with the rod 22 extended. Thus, the assembly of exerciser 1 upon locator device 20 is then placed below a user's foot and the user applies some weight to the exerciser such that the locator end 23 can be readily removed from the exerciser hole 17 with the exerciser 1 then appropriately located. The locator device 20 will generally comprise a telescopic arrangement with the rod 22 extending from the handle 21 as required. Locator device 20 will extend to at least a length of 50cm to allow easy location of the exerciser 1 below a user's foot whilst seated in an aircraft seat or at an office desk.

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an exerciser 41 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The exerciser 41 again comprises an arc element 42 with a curve side 43 and a rest 44 on the other side of the arc element 42. The exerciser 41 has a toe end 45 and a heel end 46 with the exerciser 41 in use undergoing a rocking motion in the direction of arrow heads B. The exerciser 41 is a solid component typically moulded from a plastics material.

The curved side 43 again has two dis-similar but conjoined angular surfaces with a pivot surface 47 between these angular surfaces. Thus, in the rocking motion in the direction of arrow heads B there is an abrupt or jerked rocking motion perceived by a user of the exerciser 1.

The rest 44 comprises a ridge in the top side of the arc element 42. The rest 44 is generally to one side of the pivot surface 47 about which the exerciser 41 tilts in the rocking motion. The slope of the ridge 44 on the side toward the heel end 46 is generally relatively steep in order to engage the instep part of a user's foot or shoe heel. The arc element 42 in the region of the slope of the ridge 44 on the side toward the toe end 46 has a generally thicker cross section in order to provide greater strength as a result of the pressures presented by the rocking motion in the direction of arrow heads B during use of the exerciser 41.

The pivot surface 47 will generally have a non-slip surface in order to locate that pivot surface 47 on a carpet and facilitate anchoring for the rocking motion required for exercise with the exerciser 41. Furthermore, this anti-slip pivot surface 47 can be provided by surface roughening, knurling or a rubber sole portion. The non-slip nature may extend along the whole length of the curved side 47 where appropriate and acceptable.

A locator mounting 48 is provided in the arc element 42 to enable a locator device as described with regard to figure 3 to be used in placing the exerciser 41 below a user's foot in the confined space between aircraft cabin seating. The mounting 48 generally comprises a hole in the arc element 42 to allow a locating end to be secured in that hole as previously.

Generally, the exerciser 41 will be brightly coloured for presentational purposes. Also the exerciser 41 provides areas upon which a logo or advertising material can be located.

Exercisers 1,41 in accordance with the present invention can be moulded from a plastic material or light weight metal such as aluminium. It is necessary that the exerciser 1,41 is sufficiently robust to allow the rocking motion for the desired period of time. However, it will be appreciated that with regard to aircraft passenger usage the exerciser 41 could be designed merely for one exercise session and so be substantially disposable after such use provided sufficiently cheap materials are used. Alternatively, the exerciser 1,41 could bedesigned for repeated use and so more robust and hardwearing materials will then be required to form a suitably resilient exerciser 1,41. It will also be understood that exerciser 1,41 could be made from appropriately shaped wood.

Fig. 5 shows an exerciser assembly 51 comprising two exercisers 52,53 as described previously as exerciser 1,41. These exercisers 52,53 are coupled together by a resistance device 54 such that rocking motion in the direction of arrow heads C, D is resisted by the resistance device 54. This resistance device 54 and the resistance presented to rocking in the direction C,D necessitates that greater effort is required to perform the rocking motion by a user.

Each exerciser 52,53 is alternatively tilted in the rocking motion C,D such that the rocking motion C in a downward depression lifts and reverses the rocking motion D in the other exerciser 53 and vice versa.

The resistance device 54 is typically a piston damper arrangement in which a piston secured to each exerciser 52,53 alternately moves within a cylinder full of fluid in opposite directions as a result of the rocking motion C,D. The fluid passes through the piston at a pre-determined rate dependant upon displacement of the piston as a result of the rocking motion C,D. A channel is provided between each side of the piston which can be opened and closed to vary the resistance of the piston damper arrangement in order to present different resistance to the rocking motions C,D and so the degree of effort required by a user to perform the rocking motions C,D. Alternatively, a captive detent or detents held in a helix path or paths such that there is resisted pressure on the detent could be used in order to present resistance to rocking motion C,D. The helix path will pinch or compress the captive detents in order to present the resistance to motion of those detents associated with the exercisers 52,53. In such circumstances, the detent or detents are rotatable and asymmetrically shaped, so by turning the captive detents in their respective helix path a greater or lesser resistance to movement can be presented. In order to present a lateral twist to the exerciser 1,41 a rotary mounting can be provided, typically below the pivot surface in order that during the rocking motion to and fro the exerciser 1,41 is laterally twisted about that rotary mounting to further increase exercise and potentially provide resistance to rotary motion. The rotary mounting will typically comprise a captive detent in a sloped up or part helix path such that during the rocking motion the detent is forced along that path in order to create a rotary twisting motion about the rotary mounting as the exerciser 1 is depressed forwards and backwards during the rocking motion.

In order to prevent loss of the exerciser a security attachment can be provided. This attachment will comprise a length of string or chain with one end secured to the exerciser 1,41 and the other end secured to a user's belt or other appropriate attachment whereby if the exerciser should become inaccessible beneath a seat in an aircraft or below a table, the security attachment can be utilised to gather the exerciser as required.

With more sophisticated versions of the exerciser 1,41 an audible rhythm or counting device can be provided in order to set a pace of rocking motion necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect in inhibiting thrombosis. Furthermore, the exerciser 1,41 can include a display or another indicator device in order to show the rate of exercise in terms of rocking motions per second, the number of exercise motions and the time period during which such exercise took place.

The exerciser 1,41 will typically be of a size whereby it can be carried in a user's pocket along with the locating device 20. Conveniently, a wallet or carrying bag will be provided for the exerciser and locating device 20.

Fig. 6 illustrates the exerciser 1 secured to a locating device 20 to enable the exerciser 1 to be located below a user's foot. A rest bar 15 is secured in the cradle mountings 10,11 such that a user's instep or shoe heel can engage the bar 15 and so perform a rocking motion in accordance with the exerciser described previously to inhibit formation of thrombosis or simply for physical activity when sitting for a long period. Apertures in the exerciser 1 have been filled with panels 61,62.

An exerciser or exerciser assembly in accordance with the present invention can include a controller device whereby a user can determine the desired exercise programme in terms of rate of rocking motion and/or time period of exercise and/or number of rocking motions performed. Thus, the user can determine the necessary amount of exercise for their desired objective and personally related to the conditions in terms of age, longevity of sedentary condition and acceptability of exercise. The controller may be programmed by the user with reference to a known table of necessary exercise for the user's age, weight, height and lengths of sedentary inactivity. A keypad for programming of the controller may be provided on the side of the exerciser or through a remote control keypad in radio communication with a controller mounted in the exerciser.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An exerciser comprising an arc element including a heel end and a toe end with a rest between the heel end and the toe end upon one side of the arc element whilst the other side defines a curve upon which the exerciser can tilt with a rocking motion when a user engages the rest.

2. An exerciser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the curve comprises two dissimilar but conjoined angular surfaces in order to facilitate an abrupt or jerked step in the rocking motion.

3. An exerciser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the curve includes a pivot surface about which the exerciser tilts with the rocking motion.

4. An exerciser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pivot surface has a non- slip surface to facilitate location of the exerciser on a surface during use.

5. An exerciser as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the pivot surface is off-centre within the curve.

6. An exerciser as claimed in claim 5 wherein the pivot surface is off-centre toward the toe end of the arc element.

7. An exerciser as claimed in claim 3 and any claim dependant thereon wherein the rest is to one side of the pivot surface on the other side of the exerciser.

8. An exerciser as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rest is to one side of the pivot surface toward the heel end of the arc element.

9. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rest has a curved apex.

10. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rest has a steeper slope towards the heel end of the exerciser to facilitate engagement with a user.

11. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the exerciser has a thicker cross-section above the pivot surface and/or to the side of the rest towards the toe end of the exerciser.

12. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arc element includes a mounting for a locator device.

13. An exerciser as claimed in claim 12 wherein the mounting comprises a hole in which the locator device is fixed to allow the location of the exerciser for engagement with a user in use.

14. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the locator device comprises a rod with an attachment end for attachment to the mounting to allow ready released from the exerciser when located.

15. An exerciser as claimed in claim in claim 14 wherein the rod is telescopic to allow ready storage or portage.

16. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rest comprises a bar across the exerciser held in cradle mountings either side of the exerciser.

17. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the exerciser incorporates stimulation means to provide one or more of the following advisor indicators to a user; a) that exercise is advisable due to the lack of motion for a period of time; b) the number of motions performed since current exercise began and/or the rate of motions and/or whether the rate of motions is acceptable for desired therapeutic performance; c) a rhythmic stimulus for synchronous motion by the user to achieve the desired exercise or performance.

18. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the exerciser includes a motion sensor to count the number of rocking motions of the exerciser.

19. An exerciser as claimed in claim 17 wherein the stimulation means provides an audible signal or a visual signal or a signal to headphones associated with a user of the exerciser.

20. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the exerciser includes a rotary mounting to provide upon rocking motion an additional lateral rotary motion to the exerciser in use.

21. An exerciser as claimed in claim 20 wherein the rotary mounting includes a twist device whereby the rocking motion also forces a twist in the arc element through that rotary motion.

22. An exerciser as substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. An exerciser assembly in which two exercisers as claimed in any preceding claim are secured together with a resistance device between them whereby respective rocking motion of each exerciser is opposed by the resistance device to present a predetermined resistance to such rocking motion in use.

24. An assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein the resistance device is adjustable to allow the pre-determined resistance to be varied as required by a user.

25. An assembly as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the resistance device comprises a piston damper arrangement where the rocking motion displaces a piston within a cylinder filled with fluid and the rocking motion of each exerciser displaces the piston in opposite directions within the cylinder to the other exerciser.

26. An assembly as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the resistance device comprises a captive detent held in a helix path whereby resistance to movement of that captive detent in the resistance path provides the predetermined resistance to such rocking motion in use.

27. An exerciser assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. An exerciser as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the exerciser includes a controller to allow a user to determine an exercise programme in terms of rocking motion rate and/or time of exercise and/or number of rocking motions for desired exercise performance.

28. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.