Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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[DESCRIPTION]
[Invention Title]
Auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for an abdominal
muscle exercise, and more particularly, to an auxiliary device for an
abdominal
muscle exercise in a simple shape in which two supports are connected to each
other by a board, to easily and continuously exercise the abdominal muscles.
[Background Art]
Most conventional abdominal muscle exercise machines which have
been used in health clubs (fitness centers), etc. are big and complicated.
Those
that are more easily used at home are structured to secure or hold a user's
feet
or to provide a seesaw motion.
Each of Korean Utility Model Registration Publication Nos. (Y1) 20-
0302525 (entitled "sports appliance for training abdominal muscle" by YU, /
Hyun) and 20-0313393 (entitled "isokinetic exercising machine of abdominal
muscle, waist muscle, leg muscle" by KANG, Ji Soo and SUNG, Youl Hye)
discloses the device in a lying chair shape which is used by securing a user's
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feet. Specifically, these devices are not suitable to be used at home since
they
take up a lot of space. Also, since the user pulls up the upper body using the
strength of the user's legs after securing the feet, these devices make it
difficult
to continue exercising for a long time.
Devices having a smaller volume and simple shape are disclosed in
Korean Utility Model Registration Publication Nos. (Y1) 20-0436125 (entitled
"inflatable exercise device for strengthening abdominal muscle" by KIM, Jae-
young) and 20-2011-0011624 (entitled "muscle strengthening exercise
equipment for waist and abdomen" by SONG, Eui Jin). These devices receive
a user's hip and back. The user may lie face down or face up in these devices.
These are to help the abdominal muscle exercise but occupy a relatively large
space. Korean Utility Model Laid Open Publication No. (U) 20-2010-0006144
(entitled "waist exercise device" by PARK, Kwon Soon) also discloses a device
where a user exercises in a lying position. However, it requires a
considerable
strength of the user in contracting and relaxing the abdominal muscles.
Much smaller and simple exercise devices are disclosed in Korean Utility
Model Registration Publication Nos. (Y1) 20-0270662 (entitled "abdomen swing
exerciser" by LIN, Shih Yuan) and 20-0266031 (entitled "waist exercise device"
2
,
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,
,
by JEN, Yong Ken). These are the devices characterized in simple structures
and small dimensions. Each device is shaken by having the bottom formed in
an inverted triangle shape or in a round shape. However, the exercise effect
resulting from the repetitive muscle exercise using this method is low and the
muscle building is not properly done with too much help from the device.
In short, basically these conventional devices are too big in volume to be
used at home. Even with the small devices, since it is hard to work the
abdominal muscles, it is difficult to keep exercising. Even if it is not hard
to do
the abdominal exercise, since the help/dependency from/to the devices is too
much, those devices have the structures which lower the effect of the
abdominal muscle exercise.
Generally, the two abdominal muscle exercises which are known as very
effective in strengthening the abdominal muscles are as follows: one is that,
while hanging down from a chin-up bar and straightening both legs, a person
lifts up the two legs forwardly and puts them down (repetition of "I" to "L"
shape
position). The other is that, as shown in FIG. 9, while lifting two legs (with
two
arms) and the upper body centering around the hip (coccyx) and unfolding two
knees a little bit, a person repetitively pulls the two knees towards the
chest to
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contract the abdominal muscles and immediately return the knees to the
original
position to release the abdominal muscles (repetition of the motions A and B
of
FIG. 9).
However, the first method is to lift up two legs at the same time in the
condition that the two legs are unfolded (that is, the condition that the leg
muscles are stiff/inflexible). Thus, since it is too hard for general people
to
repeat those motions, it is difficult to repeat more that two or three times.
The
second method is very effective for sports athletes to strengthen the
abdominal
muscles on a bench or the floor but it is difficult for general people to keep
repeating those motions as the abdominal muscle exercise.
The inventor of the present invention devised an exercise device to
supplement the second method, based on research with the premise to meet
the following requirements: (1) It shall be possible to control the exercise
intensity from the minimum level to the maximum level according to the
exercise
capability of a user. (2) The posture stability of a user should be secured.
(3)
The abdominal exercise shall be continuously possible. (4) The volume of the
device shall be small so that it is easy to carry and to use anytime and
anywhere as well as at home.
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During the research, the inventor of the present invention understood
that the continuous repetition of the motions was possible: That is, on the
premise of the posture mentioned in relation to the second method, when the
muscles are not completely relaxed, you slowly contract the abdominal muscles
and then immediately relax the muscles. But, to repeat the contraction and
relax, you should secure the center point of strength and simultaneously
secure
the support point to secure the reaction in order that the waist muscles to
generate the strength should not completely relax.
Accordingly, the inventor found that the aforementioned purposes could
be all achieved if a device would have a very simple structure to support the
sacral region and the lesser trochanter region of the femur by applying the
above principles, to invent the present invention.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above
problems and to provide an auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
which makes it possible to control the exercise intensity from the minimum
level
to the maximum level according to the exercise capability of a user.
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It is another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary device
for abdominal muscle exercise which makes it possible to continuously do the
abdominal muscle exercise by securing the stability of the exercise posture
and
simultaneously using the repulsive force.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary device
for abdominal muscle exercise which is small in volume to be easily carried so
as to be easily used anytime and anywhere as well as at home.
[Technical Solution]
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise which comprises: a first
support having the height and size sufficient to support only the sacral
region
just beneath the lumbar; and a board extending from the bottom surface of the
first support, wherein the material of the board has flexibility to be placed
and
used on an uneven surface like a sofa, etc.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise which comprises: a
first support having the height and size sufficient to support the sacral
region
just beneath the lumbar; a board extending from the bottom surface of the
first
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support; and a second support positioned on the end of the board being
opposite to the first support, wherein the size of the board and the height
and
inclination of the second support are formed to support the lesser trochanter
region of the femur.
Preferably, the second support may be connected to adjusting means to
adjust the width of the board.
Preferably, the board, the first support and the second support may use a
cushioning material in their respective parts touching a human body (coccyx,
etc.).
Preferably, the board, the first support and the second support may be
integrally formed by using reinforced plastics, specifically having
elasticity, or
compressed plywood materials.
Preferably, the height of the first support may be 7-14cm from the
surface of the board, the height of the second support may be 5-9cm from the
surface of the board, and the width of the board (the shortest distance
between
the first support and the second support) may be adjustable within the range
of
7-15cm.
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,
[Advantageous Effects]
According to the constitution of the present invention, the auxiliary device
for abdominal muscle exercise is very simple and small. A user
puts the
auxiliary device on the sofa and sits on the board so that the first support
supports the sacral region of the user. Then, the user can continue the
abdominal muscle exercise even while watching TV.
The present invention also provides a very simple and small auxiliary
device for abdominal muscle exercise. The user sits on the board and adjusts
it
so that the first support supports the sacral region of the user and the
second
support supports the lesser trochanter region. Then, it is possible to do the
abdominal muscle exercise on the floor, etc.
According to the present invention(s), the user can control the exercise
intensity from the minimum level to the maximum level for the exercise
capability of the user. Further, it is possible to continuously do the
abdominal
muscle exercise by securing the stability of the exercise posture and
simultaneously using the repulsive force.
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Since the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise according to
the present invention(s) is small in volume, it is easy to carry it and it is
also
easily to use anytime and anywhere as well as at home.
[Description of Drawings]
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of
the embodiment(s), taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 shows an auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
according to one embodiment, comprising a first support and a board only;
FIG. 2 shows an auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
according to another embodiment, comprising a first support, a board and a
second support;
FIG. 3 shows a cushion used in a body of the auxiliary device for
abdominal muscle exercise according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows adjusting means to adjust the width of the board in the
auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows the shapes of the cores of the supports;
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FIG. 6 is a side sectional conceptual diagram of the auxiliary device for
abdominal muscle exercise integrally formed of a high pack material;
FIG. 7 shows the state of use of the auxiliary device for abdominal
muscle exercise of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a skeletal drawing (viewed from the back) of a human body
showing the sacral region and the lesser trochanter region;
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the exercise motions according
to the present invention; and
FIG. 10 shows the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
integrally formed of a synthetic resin material (silicon, etc.) having
elasticity.
[Best Model
The present invention(s) according to the preferred exemplary
embodiment(s) will be specifically described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. Since the present invention(s) is important in its
concept, a person having an ordinary knowledge in the field to which the
present technology belongs may carry out the products in various shapes if the
person understands the basic elements configuring the concept of the present
invention. Therefore, the characteristics of the present invention will be
clarified
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by focusing on the concept. Some exemplary embodiments will be also
described focused on the concept and no detailed description will be
presented.
The term, "sacral region" (3'), used in the present application means the
lower torso portion where the sacrum is located. The sacrum is connected just
beneath the lumbar (the fifth lumbar vertebra is the last vertebra) as
indicated in
the skeletal drawing of a human body as shown in FIG. 8. The tip of the sacrum
connects with the coccyx (tailbone). The coccyx region means the part where
the coccyx is located.
The term, "lesser trochanter region" (7'), means the part where the femur
begins extending above the femoral region connecting with the hipbone. In
view from the outside of the human body, it is about the place where the hips
may be creased when standing.
"First support (3)", "second support (7)" and "board (5)" mean the inner
side of a body (1) which is the entire shape of the present invention, that
is,
mainly the parts in contact with the human body (the sacral region, the lesser
trochanter region and the coccyx region). Therefore, the outer side of the
present invention may be designed in diverse shapes according to the quality
of
a material to carry out the present invention.
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FIG. 1 shows the simplest shape of the present invention according to
one embodiment. A first support 3 to support the sacral region is formed in a
semi-cylindrical shape. A board 5 is extended from the bottom side of the semi-
cylindrical shaped first support. The board 5 is pressed by the coccyx region.
The present invention according to this embodiment is to be used
specifically on a place like a sofa. Preferably, the board 5 may use flexible
leather or fabric materials. Preferably, the top surface of the board 5 may be
processed to impart a frictional force to prevent sliding.
The first support 3 may have various shapes if its shape is sufficient to
support the sacral region. In this embodiment, the first support 3 has the
semi-
cylindrical shape. Preferably, a core inside the first support 3 may use a
material such as a compressed sponge to give elasticity. Therefore, the shape
of the first support 3 may not be in the semi-cylindrical shape.
The present invention according to this embodiment may be integrally
formed using flexible synthetic resin materials (or latex having less
elasticity)
(as shown in FIG. 10).
FIG. 2 shows an auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
according to another embodiment. In FIG. 2, a second support 7 is added to
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the present invention of FIG. 1. The second support 7 is added with an elastic
material so as not to have any negative effect to the human body (the coccyx
region) upon long-time use. The second support 7 is formed at the end of the
board 5 opposite the first support 3. A stepped part (given no reference
number)
in front of the second support 7 is to be adjusting means 77 to adjust the
width
of the board 5 by rolling the second support 7. Therefore, strong Velcro, etc
may be used to reduce the width of the board 5 by rolling the second support
7.
In FIG. 2, "a" indicates a groove. This groove may be formed or not according
to the quality of the material.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjusting means 77 to adjust the width of
the board 5 may include a fixing bar 27 and a plurality of fixing holes 9. The
fixing bar 27 is fixed to the core 17 of the second support 7 and the fixing
holes
9 are formed in the length direction of the auxiliary device for abdominal
muscle
exercise. The second support 7 is movable by inserting the fixing bar 27 into
any one of the fixing holes 9. Furthermore, the adjusting means 77 to adjust
the
width of the board 5 may be designed using a variety of publicly-known skills.
Therefore, the present application provides no detailed description as to how
to
constitute the adjusting means 77 to adjust the width of the board 5.
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FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram that can be understood at a glance. After
a basic frame is formed in the body 1 of the auxiliary device for abdominal
muscle exercise, the first support 3, the board 5 and the second support 7 are
formed of elastic materials. FIG. 4 shows the adjusting means 77 not shown in
FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 (A) and (B) illustrate, by examples, the shape of the core of the
first support 3 (shown in FIG. 5 (B)) and the shape of the core of the second
support 7 when the present invention according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is carried
out
by a method of sewing fabric or leather. The present invention is not limited
to
these shapes of the cores. In FIG. 5 (B), the bottom side of the core of the
first
support 3 is longer to effectively support the weight of a user.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a side sectional view of the
auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise integrally formed of reinforced
plywood having elasticity, so-called "high pack". Therefore, the synthetic
resin
materials having elasticity, such as reinforced plastic, may be used.
The sizes and positions of the first support 3, the board 5 and the second
support 7 which are the major elements of the present invention will be
described. In the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise of the
present
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invention, since the first support 3 supports the sacral region, it should not
touch
the lumbar. Therefore, the height of the first support 3 may be preferably
about
10cm from the surface of the board 5. (When the board has elasticity, the
degree to be pressed by the elasticity needs to be considered. In the same
way,
that needs to be considered regarding the height of the second support 7 and
the width of the board 5.) In an adult, the length from the coccyx just before
the
fifth lumbar vertebra is a little longer than about 10cm although there is a
difference among individuals.
The present invention may be carried out in three sizes (large, medium
and small), depending upon age of user. It is sufficient if the size of the
first
support 3 calculating from the average build can effectively support the
sacral
region without touching the lumbar. Thus, the height of the first support 3
may
be within the range of 7-14cm from the surface of the board 5. However, since
there are people having special builds, the present invention is not limited
to this
range. (In the same manner, the present invention is not limited to the range
of
the height of the second support 7 and the range of the width of the board 5,
to
be described below.)
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If the height of the second support 7 is about 7cm, it touches the lesser
trochanter region. Therefore, if the height of the second support 7 is about
7cm
( 1cm), it may be enough. However, considering different builds of people, the
height of the second support 7 is presumed as being within the range of 5-9cm
from the surface of the board 5.
The width of the board 5 (the shortest distance between the first support
3 and the second support 7) is about 10cm for an ordinary adult. But,
considering different build conditions, the width of the board 5 is adjustable
within the range of 7-15cm.
In the first and second supports 3, 7, the parts touching a human body
have inclines. However, when the first and second supports 3, 7 are formed
using an elastic material, these do not need to be structured to have the
inclines
because the material is naturally shaped by the human body. However, the
inclination may be particularly considered. For this case, when a user sits on
the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise, since a side view of the
hip
is in a V shape, the inclines of the first and second supports 3, 7 are to be
respectively outwardly, based on the vertical line (FIGS. 3 and 6). In the
first
support 3, the inclination may be preferably 70 ( 5 ) based on the floor
surface
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so that the first support 3 provides support when the user leans back after
the
sacral region touches the first support 3. In the second support 7, the
inclination may be preferably 45 ( 5 ) from the floor surface.
This incline is to more comfortably support the sacral region or the lesser
trochanter region (by broadening the contact area as wide as possible) but
such
a range is not broad. Referring to FIG. 6, a portion supporting the sacral
region
=
in the first support 3 is the portion protruding inwardly (close to about 900
since
it is made of the elastic material) and the other portion extending upwardly
and
being bent does not touch the human body as well as the sacral region upon
actual use.
However, in FIG. 6, a portion supporting the lesser trochanter region is
an inflection point (indicated by reference number 7) of a gentle circle but
the
other portion extending and being curved outwardly is to decrease impact,
considering the time when the femoral region touches the second support.
A method of using the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
according to the present invention will be briefly described. As shown in FIG.
7,
the user sits on the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise and
adjusts
the second support 7 as the adjusting means 77 (refer to FIGS. 2 and 4), to
fix
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the width of the board 5 so that the user's sacral region and lesser
trochanter
region are supported.
Then, if the user repeats the motions of (1) rocking the upper body only
back and forth, (2) pulling knees toward the chest and releasing them, or (3)
pulling both the upper body and knees and releasing them, the abdominal
muscles are strengthened as the muscles of the stomach work. The effect of
the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise according to the present
invention as shown in this process makes it less hard to do the abdominal
muscle exercise and possible to easily continue exercising.
That is, since the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise
according to the present invention secures the sacral region and the lesser
trochanter region, if the upper body or legs move in the other direction, the
body
itself tries to restore. Then, the fixing point of the support helps the
restoration
to be easy and therefore it is less hard. So, the user gets into the rhythm
and is
able to easily do the exercise for a long time. Especially, since the
auxiliary
device for abdominal muscle exercise according to the present invention
secures the center point of force and simultaneously keeps the posture stable,
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the muscles can continue the contracting and relaxing actions in a properly
relaxed state.
As indicated in the relevant prior art, people feel how so difficult it would
be to do sit-ups by using the sit-up exercise device which secures the feet or
to
do the upper body and leg exercise on the floor without any device. Those
people knew they could not do such exercises for a long time. However, if
those people use the auxiliary device for abdominal muscle exercise of the
present invention, they can notice its excellence right away and use it to
exercise without the difficult of other devices.
The invention has been described using preferred exemplary
embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments
are to clarify the concept of the present invention(s) and do not describe the
scope of the invention to be protected. That is, the scope of the invention is
not
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of the
invention is intended to include various modifications and alternative
arrangements within the capabilities of persons skilled in the art using
presently
known or future technologies and equivalents. The scope of the claims,
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therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass
all such modifications and similar arrangements.
