Exercise devices – Support for entire body of user – Swivelled foot platform
Patent
1996-11-26
1998-05-26
Apley, Richard J.
Exercise devices
Support for entire body of user
Swivelled foot platform
482147, 601 32, A63B 2214
Patent
active
057556520
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, particularly for exercising the ankles, legs and hips, of the user. The exercise apparatus may be used for rehabilitation purposes, or to increase the fitness of a sportsman, for example.
In everyday life, there are many muscles which receive little or no exercise, particularly muscles around the ankles and muscles around the lower back. A number of different exercise apparatus have been proposed in the past, but the present invention seeks to provide an improved apparatus.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising a body having two wedge-shaped parts, the two parts being turned relative to each other so that the opposite ends of the body are inclined to each other, said opposite ends of the body being coupled to end members via respective bearings.
In one embodiment, the two body parts can be turned through a selected angle relative to each other and then secured together: the angle of inclination between the opposite ends of the body will vary according to the relative angle at which the two body parts are engaged together.
The apparatus can be used in a variety of ways. For example, it can be placed on the ground, with one of the two end members forming a base which is laid flat on the ground, and the other end member forming a platform or footplate for the user to stand upon. By appropriately shifting his weight around in a circular movement, the user can cause the direction of tilt of the platform to sweep around in a corresponding circular fashion, at the same time causing the lower body part to turn on its bearing relative to the base. Preferably means are provided for preventing the platform turning relative to the base, but the second bearing allows the upper body part to turn freely relative to the platform. The apparatus may be used for sitting upon, instead of standing upon.
The apparatus preferably includes a drive motor, for driving the body of the apparatus and so causing the direction of tilt of the platform to sweep around in its circle: the apparatus is particularly advantageous in this form, as it does not require any skill on the part of the user.
A third bearing may be provided between the two wedge-shaped body parts, to introduce a random feature into the action of the exerciser.
In another modification, the body may comprise more than two wedge-shaped parts, which can be turned relative to each other.
Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram to show how the body parts of the apparatus are formed from a single cylinder;
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is a section through a further embodiment of exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 5 is a corresponding side elevation of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a view of the exercise apparatus in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a view of the underside of the apparatus of FIGS. 4 to 6.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an exercise apparatus which comprises a hollow cylindrical body which has been divided into two parts 10,12 along a plane P which is inclined at an acute angle to the transverse end planes of the body. The two circular, wedge-shaped parts 10,12 can be turned relative to each other, through a selected angle, and then secured together against relative movement: for example, one part 10 may have pins projecting from it at spaced points around its rim, for locating in similarly spaced sockets in the rim of the other part 12. Thus, as seen in FIG. 1, the upper rim of the upper part 10 lies at an inclined angle to the lower rim of the lower part 12: the angle of inclination can be adjusted or selected between a minimum and a maximum, according to the angle through which the two parts 10,12 are turned relative to each oth
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Apley Richard J.
LaMarca William
Schindler Edwin D.
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