GB2329595A

GB2329595A - Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2329595A
Application number: GB9828211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Tony Bishop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-21
Filing date: 1998-12-21
Publication date: 1999-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-21
Also published as: GB2329595B; GB9828211D0

Abstract

The training apparatus comprises a main stem A which is telescopic and has an upper part C which moves vertically and rotationally within it. The combined compression and torsion spring I provides resistance for both movements. The upper part C also has a crosspiece with pectoral rests D' and axillary rests D which are adapted to support the chest and the armpits of the user. The size of the device can be adjusted using bolts E and F, to change the initial height of the main stem or the distance between the axillary rests D. The resistance provided by the spring I can be adjusted using the bolt G, which moves the inner base piece H along the main stem thus altering the spring's resting length. The device is used by placing the base between the thighs and the resting the chest on the cross-piece, then compressing and/or rotating the spring by abdominal contraction.

Description

Abdominal Progressive Resistance Training Apparatus This invention relates to abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus.

The musculature of the abdomen is notoriously difficult to exercise for the neophyte. The traditional method of performing traditional sit-ups has a number of concomitant problems: The regius abdominal, transversus abdominal and internal & external obliques muscles are weak in most individuals, making the sit-up a strenuous and impractical alternative for the average person. Sit-ups also involve a great deal of weight-bearing by the lumbar vertebrae, a task for which they are unsuited.

The latter phases of the sit-up movement constitute hip flexion, during which the rectus abdominis and oblique muscles do not play an active part. They only contract isometrically (statically) whilst other muscles, collectively known as the hip flexors, bring about the movement.

By engaging the powerful hip flexor ilopsoas, sit-ups can place undue compression an shearing forces upon the lumbar vertebrae: these forces can lead to severe degenerative disc problems in later life. These are exacerbated by twisting and turning movements when the spine is under load in flexion.

In attempts to remedy these problems, a number of inventions have been designed to exercise the abdominal muscles in an effective but safe manner. Many of these have failed to take into account the kinesiology of the human anatomy: as a result they either exercise the muscles in a wholly inappropriate way or exercise the wrong muscles altogether such that they prove ineffective, dangerous or a combination of the two. Others are cumbersome and costly, and are therefore only viable for gymnasium use.

The object of the present invention is to provide apparatus to exercise the muscles of the abdomen in a safe, progressive and effective manner, apparatus which is easily used and transported by any individual from their own home.. The present invention seeks to address and overcome previous shortcomings pertaining to damage to the lumbar spine and inattention to kinesiology of the abdominal muscles.

According to the present invention there is provided abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus comprising a moveable arm of adjustable height, whose horizontal crosspiece houses two adaptive axillary rests and two pectoral rests, and whose vertical shaft moves both vertically and rotationally against a resistance within a telescopic main stem, which itself pivots upon a base, with in-built means for varying the resistance.

The main stem and arm could be constructed from tubular alloy with covered foam padded axillary and pectoral rests. The base could be made from a rubber-coated thermoset plastic and the spring made from carbon steel.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire apparatus, illustrated in a cross-section running through the midline of the main stem.

Figure 2 depicts the entire apparatus as it can be viewed conventionally, with each of the axillary rests occupying different rotations with respect to the main arm.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus comprises a telescopic main stem A pivoting upon base B, the stem housing a moveable arm C (with two padded axillary rests D and two pectoral rests D1) which moves both vertically and rotationally against the resistance of combined compression I torsion spring I.

In order to adjust the position of the axillary rests, expander bolts E can be turned anticlockwise to loosen the grasp of the shafts of the axillary rests upon the crosspiece of the arm. The rests can then be rotated and moved towards or away from the midpoint of the crosspiece of the arm to accommodate different users and the expander bolts are then tightened. Loosening expander bolt F and moving the arm up or down within the moving piece of the main stem allows the user to alter the starting height of the arm according to the height of the user. The arm is then secured in place by tightening bolt F. The heads of all expander bolts are of the Allen-type, and can be turned using key M (see Figure 2). The function of all three bolts is to expand the wedge-shaped end of their respective shafts laterally into the arm or telescopic stem accordingly: this enables them to be secured firmly within their housing.

To increase the resistance of the device, finger-adjusted bolt G is rotated so that inner base piece H, whose thread engages with the thread of bolt G, moves up the inside of the main stem: the effect is to shorten the resting length of internally-housed spring I. The reverse procedure is effected to decrease the resistance. The lower legs, J, of the spring protrude through slots K in the main stem so as to both provide a means of halting the progress of inner base piece H and to display to the user their progress on an externally-drawn scale.

Lips L, located upon the outer surface of the moving piece of the main stem and upon the inner surface of the stationary part, prevent the former from becoming disconnected from the latter.

The base of the apparatus is sited between the legs, the inside of the thighs resting upon the lateral borders of the base, and the axillary rests and pectoral rests are engaged in the underarm and chest-lying positions, respectively.

The user operates the device by either: a) Reducing the distance between the xyphoid process of the sternum and the pubic crest of the pubis in depressing the moveable arm of the apparatus through abdominal contraction or: b) Rotating the moveable arm by turning the upper torso through abdominal contraction or: c) A combination of the two.

All movements are made against the resistance of the device. When used appropriately, the body should move through the full range of motion.

Claims

1) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus comprising a moveable arm of adjustable height, whose horizontal crosspiece houses two adaptive axillary rests and two pectoral rests, and whose vertical shaft moves both vertically and rotationally against a resistance within a telescopic main stem, which itself pivots upon a base, with in-built means for varying the resistance.

2) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resistance is provided by a combined compression / torsion spring housed internally within the main stem.

3) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the resistance in of the aforesaid compression spring is altered by turning a finger-adjusted bolt whose head is sited within the underside of the apparatus base.

4) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the thread of the aforementioned adjustment bolt engages with the thread of an internal base piece so as to elevate or depress the base piece according to user preference, thereby reducing or increasing the resting length of the spring respectively, which in turn alters its resistance.

5) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the height of the apparatus can be altered by loosening an expander bolt (whose function is to expand the shaft of the arm laterally in the upper piece of the telescopic stem), elevating or depressing the T-shaped arm, and subsequently tightening the expander bolt to lock the arm in place again.

6) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the apparatus can be modified to accommodate different user breadths and shapes by adjusting expander bolts located in the ends of the crosspiece of the moveable arm, sliding and rotating the axillary rests to the desired positions and then tightening aforesaid bolts.

7) Abdominal resistance training apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawing.

7) Abdominal progressive resistance training apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1) Abdominal resistance training apparatus for the upper body comprising a base, a main stem pivotally attached thereto, a generally T-shaped arm which, in use, has a horizontal crosspiece and a vertical shaft, the vertical shaft being housed telescopically within the main stem and moveable both vertically and/or rotationally therein against a resistance, the horizontal crosspiece of the T-shaped arm having two adjustable axillary rests and pectoral rests, the apparatus also having means for varying the resistance.

2) Abdominal resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resistance is provided by a combined compression / torsion spring housed internally within the main stem.

3) Abdominal resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the resistance of the aforesaid compression I torsion spring is altered by turning a finger-adjusted bolt, the head of which is sited within the underside of the apparatus base.

4) Abdominal resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the thread of the aforementioned finger-adjusted bolt engages with the thread of an inner base piece so as to elevate or depress the inner base piece according to user preference, thereby reducing or increasing the resting length of the compression / torsion spring respectively, which in turn alters its resistance.

5) Abdominal resistance training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the height of the apparatus can be altered by loosening an expander bolt (the function of which is to expand the shaft of the T-shaped arm laterally in the moving part of the telescopic main stem), elevating or depressing the T-shaped arm, and subsequently tightening the expander bolt to lock the T-shaped arm in place again.

6) Abdominal resistance training apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the apparatus can be modified to accommodate different user breadths and shapes by loosening expander bolts, the heads of which are located at the ends of the crosspiece of the T-shaped arm, sliding and rotating the axillary rests to the desired positions and then tightening aforesaid expander bolts.