EP0575680A1 - Device for the vertical head down positioning of the human body, supported by the shoulders - Google Patents

Abstract

Device enabling a person to hold himself vertically, head-down, supported by the shoulders. Two rectangular plates (3) which can be adjusted in terms of spacing and height are each secured to a frame (1) placed on the ground by means of two pairs of bars (2) arranged opposite in the vicinity of the ends of the said plates (3), the bars (2) of a pair of bars being articulated about an axis (pin) (20) traversing them substantially at their centre and two handles (24) each being arranged below each plate (3) and secured to a pair of bars (2) with possibility of adjustment in terms of height. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device allowing the practice of a relaxation technique, in particular that which consists in keeping the human body vertically upside down, said device being removable and adaptable to the morphology of the user.

Certain disciplines such as yoga recommend keeping your head down to improve blood circulation and promote relaxation.

In practice and traditionally it is advisable to keep your balance on your head, which on the one hand is not achievable by all people who practice these practices and on the other hand can be dangerous.

Indeed the position in balance on the head can present risks, in particular of traumas of the spine and more particularly of the cervical vertebrae.

It is less dangerous to keep the position upside down by leaning on the hands, arms outstretched, although it is often necessary to be helped by another person, however this position cannot be held long enough to allow reaching a real relaxation.

Devices are already known which allow a person to stand upright upside down, resting on the shoulders, however these devices, for the most part intended for carrying out weight training exercises, are generally of considerable bulk. and do not offer the possibility of adjusting the spacing and height of the bearing surfaces of the shoulders.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a device which makes it possible to take a vertical position upside down, resting on the shoulders, said device being removable in order to allow its transport and its storage in a reduced space.

The device which is the subject of the present invention comprises, according to a first characteristic, two rectangular plates adjustable in height and in spacing, integral with a frame and each furnished with a cushion of flexible but firm material intended to receive the shoulders of the user.

According to a second characteristic, the device according to the invention comprises two handles each secured to the support of a plate and also adjustable in height and in spacing, allowing the user to stand in the appropriate position.

The device according to the invention thus allows positioning of the user vertically upside down, the shoulders resting on the plates, without any constraint on the head and the spine, whatever the duration of the exercise.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the chassis consists of a removable rectangular frame to be placed on the ground, consisting of two U-shaped profiles, the ends of which fit into each other, and on which adapt trays. The connection between a tray and said frame is achieved by means of two pairs of crossed bars of equal length hinged around a horizontal axis, and arranged facing each other near the ends of said plate, a multiplicity of points for fixing said bars to the plate and to the frame allowing adjustment of the height and spacing of the plates, said attachments being produced by means for example of screws and wing nuts allowing an easy assembly and disassembly.

The handles for holding the device according to the invention are secured to the bars by means of pivotally mounted plates, with locking means, on the axes connecting the bars of the same pair, said handles being introduced into orifices made in said bars. plates and being arranged horizontally.

Other embodiments of the device according to the invention are possible.

Thus, the attachment with the possibility of spacing the plates to the chassis can use rolling rollers in said chassis and a rack allowing locking in position.

On the other hand, the plates allowing the handles to be joined may include several orifices distributed over the height of said plates.

The device according to the invention can be associated with at least two plates adapting by one of their ends at the rear and at the bottom of the frame supporting the plates, said ends having a shape allowing this adaptation, their other end being able to be slid, for example, under a door to avoid the device tipping over during use.

On the other hand, two inflatable or foam tubes can be fixed by appropriate means on the wall at the foot of which the trays are immobilized, so as to constitute the upper part of the branches of a V, arranged vertically said plates symmetrically with respect to their plane of symmetry, so as to allow the positioning of the user legs, regardless of size, for perfect centering.

The advantages and characteristics of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawing, which represents a non-limiting embodiment thereof.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 représente une vue partielle en élévation de face du même dispositif.
• la figure 3 représente une vue en élévation d'un détail de la figure 2, en particulier le moyen de fixation d'une poignée.
• la figure 4 représente une vue en élévation de profil du dispositif de la figure 1.
• la figure 5 représente une vue de face du même dispositif et un premier mode d'utilisation.
• la figure 6 représente une vue de face du même dispositif et un second mode d'utilisation.

In the attached drawing:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 represents a partial front elevation view of the same device.
• Figure 3 shows an elevational view of a detail of Figure 2, in particular the means for fixing a handle.
• FIG. 4 represents a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 represents a front view of the same device and a first mode of use.
• FIG. 6 represents a front view of the same device and a second mode of use.

If we refer to Figures 1 and 2 we can see that a device according to the invention comprises a rectangular frame 1 laid flat on the ground consisting of two profiles 10 and 11 in U assembled by interlocking the ends of the one in the other. Each longitudinal branch of each of the profiles 10 and 11 has holes 12 arranged at regular intervals, allowing the fastening to the chassis 1 of four pairs of oblique bars 2 articulated substantially in their middle around a horizontal axis 20 and provided at their lower ends of holes allowing their fixing to the sections 10 and 11 by means of screws 13 also passing through holes 12 of said sections 10 and 11.

Two trays 3, furnished at their upper face with a foam cushion 30, are each secured to two pairs of bars 2 arranged facing each other on the same section 10 or 11, this joining being effected by means of screws 31 passing through the upper ends of the bars 2 and introduced into slides 32 fixed under the plates 3, allowing the horizontal sliding of the screws 31 in approach or away from it, before blocking, thus authorizing a height and spacing adjustment of the plates 3.

If reference is also made to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the axes 20 of the pairs of bars 2 externally comprise a threaded end on which a butterfly nut 21 is screwed make it possible to secure to each of the axes 20 a vertical plate 22.

The plates 22 each have a hole 23 at one of their ends for the passage of a handle 24.

On the other hand the plates 22 have longitudinally and centrally holes 25 in one of which is introduced the threaded end of the axis 20, making it possible to bring the handle 24 closer or further away from the axis 20. plates 22 being, before tightening of the wing nuts 21, pivoting around the axes 20, it is possible to position the handles 24 above or below the axes 20.

In FIG. 4, it can also be seen that the device according to the invention is completed by an anti-tilt system consisting of plates 17, only one of which is visible, which is fixed to the chassis 1 by one of its ends. 14, folded in the shape of an inverted U, and the other end of which is slipped 15 for example under the leaf of a door 4, wedges 16 making it possible to improve the blocking.

Referring now to FIG. 5, one can see one of the relaxation positions which the device according to the invention makes it possible to take, namely the body vertically upside down, the shoulders resting on the cushions 30 of the plates 3, the handles 24 used to hold the user.

It can also be seen that the device according to the invention is associated with tubes 40 and 41, inflatable or made of foam, secured to door 4, so as to form the upper part of the branches of a V, said tubes 40, 41 being arranged vertically above the plates 3, symmetrically with respect to their vertical plane of symmetry.

The user uses the flanges 40 and 41 to position themselves vertically centrally by resting on them with the legs.

Referring now to Figure 6 we can see a second position allowed by the device according to the invention, namely the legs bent over the body, knees resting on the elbows, the flanges 40 and 41 also serving for positioning the body.

It goes without saying that the present invention cannot be limited to the preceding description of one of its embodiments, capable of undergoing a certain number of modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

Device allowing a person to stay upright upside down, resting on the shoulders, characterized in that it comprises on the one hand two rectangular plates (3) adjustable in spacing and in height, each secured to a frame (1 ) placed on the ground, by means of two pairs of bars (2) arranged facing each other near the ends of said plates (3), the bars (2) of a pair of bars being articulated around an axis ( 20) passing through them substantially in the middle; and on the other hand two handles (24) each arranged below each tray (3) and secured to a pair of bars (2) with the possibility of height adjustment. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the chassis (1) consists of a removable rectangular frame made up of two U-shaped profiles (10, 11) which are assembled by fitting the ends of one into those of the other, each longitudinal branch of each of said profiles (10, 11) being provided with holes (12) arranged at regular intervals, allowing the fastening to the chassis (1) of pairs of oblique bars (2), the lower ends of which are also provided with bores allowing their attachment to the profiles (10, 11) by means of screws (13). Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the attachment of a pair of bars (2) to a plate (3) is carried out by means of screws (31) passing through the upper end of said bars ( 2) and introduced into slides (32) integral with said plate (3). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a handle (24) is secured to a pair of bars (2) by means of a plate (22) pivotally mounted around the axis (20) passing through and joining the two bars (2) of said pair, said handle (24) being introduced into an orifice (23) formed in said plate (22).

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