Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POSTURAL AWARENESS APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for strengthening the spine,
abdomen and posture on multiple planes, and for teaching a neutral spine.
Background of the Invention
Devices for monitoring, controlling and correcting posture are described, for
example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,582,935, to Verhaeghe; U.S. Patent No.
3,981,032, -
to Brooks; U.S. Patent No. 4,730,625, to Fraser et at; U.S. Patent No.
5,146,929,
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to Sawhill; U.S. Patent No. 5,279,310, to Hsien; and U.S. Patent No.
5,522,401, to
Brucker. However, such corrective devices are not designed specifically for
use in
strengthening the abdomen and spine of the user.
U.S. Patent No.
8,019,738, to Brandon, issued February 1, 2000, disclosed the first successful
postural awareness apparatus useful in an exercise regimen for strengthening
the
abdomen and spine of a human. The disclosed apparatus includes a pad having
a longitudinal axis, signal: means for producing a signal, and detection means
for
detecting a weight (i.e., a compressive force) applied to the pad and
activating the
signal means when the weight exceeds a predetermined weight. The signal means
include a plurality of vibrator units, a portion of the plurality of vibrator
units being
affixed to the pad at opposed locations on either side of the longitudinal
axis-.
Further refinements of the postural awareness apparatus were disclosed in U.S.
-
Patent No. 6,648,838, to Brandon et al., issued November 18, 2003, and in co-
pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/712,581, filed November 12,
2003,
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A continuing need exists for improved devices that are useful in an exercise
regimen for strengthening the abdomen and spine of a human. A need also exists
for an apparatus that informs the user when the neutral spine position is
maintained during exercise in multiple positions (e.g., sitting, lying,
standing).
Summary of the Preferred Embodiments
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
apparatus that includes a pad, a signal producing system, and an activator
which
responds to a compressive force and which activates the signal producing
system
when a compressive force applied to the apparatus exceeds a predetermined
compressive force. The activator includes a switch having an upper portion, a
compressible element having defined therein an opening, the compressible
element at least partially surrounding the upper portion of the switch, and a
cap
adapted to secure the compressible element in a position at least partially
surrounding the upper portion of the switch.
According to more specific embodiments, the postural awareness apparatus
further includes a low back assembly. The low back assembly can be releasably
affixed to the pad, in particular embodiments, or permanently affixed to the
pad in
other particular embodiments. In further particular embodiments, the low back
assembly includes a base having defined therein at least one opening within
which
the switch is disposed, and a cushion having defined therein at least one
opening
aligned with the opening in the base. The base includes a raised portion in
which
the opening is defined, and the switch is disposed within the opening and
extends
through the base. The cap has an upper element and a plurality of arms, each
of
the arms having a distal end including a locking element. The switch and the
compressible element have substantially collinear longitudinal axes.
According to such specific embodiments, the compressible element is
disposed between the base and the upper element of the cap. Each of the arms
of the cap extends through an opening defined in the base, and the locking
elements of the cap prevent unintentional disengagement of the cap from the
base
while permitting motion of the cap relative to the base substantially in the
direction
of the longitudinal axes of the switch and the compressible element. This
permits
the upper element of the cap to contact, and thus activate, the switch when a
compressive force in excess of the predetermined value is applied to the upper
element of the cap. This further permits the compressible element to be
removed
and replaced with another compressible element, for example, a compressible
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element having a different stiffness.
Further more specific embodiments of the inventive apparatus include a
plurality of activators. In these embodiments, the pad has a longitudinal axis
and
a portion of the plurality of activators are located at opposed locations on
either
side of the longitudinal axis.
According to additional specific embodiments, the signal producing system
comprises a plurality of vibrator units. More particularly, a portion of the
plurality of
vibrator units are affixed to the pad (for example, by virtue of being
incorporated
into the low back assembly) at opposed locations on either side of the
longitudinal
axis.
Certain of the foregoing embodiments of the inventive apparatus include a
pad to which a low back assembly is affixed. The low back assembly can also be
employed independently of the pad. Thus, in accordance with another aspect of
the present invention, there is provided a postural awareness apparatus
adapted
to contact a portion of the lower back of a human user. The apparatus includes
a
base having defined therein at least one opening, a cushion having defined
therein
at least one opening aligned with the opening in the base, a signal. producing
system, and an activator that activates the signal producing system when a
compressive force applied to the apparatus exceeds a predetermined
compressive force. The activator includes a switch having an upper portion,
the
switch being disposed within the opening defined in the base; a compressible
element having defined therein an opening, the compressible element at least
partially surrounding the upper portion of the switch; and a cap adapted to
secure
the compressible element in a position at least partially surrounding the
upper
portion of the switch. The cap, in particular embodiments, is removable to
permit
interchange of the compressible element.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the
accompanying drawings in which
FIGS. la-b are top plan and exploded side views, respectively, of a first
embodiment employing a detachable head rest and a lumbar pad, with vibrator
units and pressure sensors disposed within the lumbar unit shown in phantom;
FIGS.2a-c are top, side and end views of a detachable head rest employed
with the embodiments of FIGS la-b;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lumbar pad of FIGS la-b showing the
location of pressure sensors and vibrator units within the pad;
FIGS.4a-c are top, sectional and side views of an alternative embodiment of
a head rest with separate pressure sensors, vibrator units and a control
switch;
FIG. 5 is a side exploded view of an alternative embodiment including a
kyphosis wedge;
FIGS. 6a-b are schematic diagrams showing a mechanical switch useful as
a pressure sensor, showing activated and inactivated states;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a pressure sensor with a light-generating
signal producing system and an external power supply;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment in which two
pressure sensors are employed in sequence, one in the head rest and one in the
lumbar pad;
FIG. 9 is a partially exploded left perspective view of another embodiment of
the inventive apparatus including separable head/neck and low back assemblies;
FIG. 10(a)-(b) are top plan views showing the positioning of the head/neck
assembly relative to the low back assembly for short and tall users,
respectively;
FIG. 11-13 are, respectively, a right perspective, bottom plan and exploded
view of the head/neck assembly of FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is a left perspective view of an embodiment of the low back
assembly of FIG. 9;
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the low back assembly of FIG 14;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the low back assembly of
FIG. 14 through a switch/force adjustment system including a switch and force
adjusting ring;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a
switch/force adjustment system including a switch, a cap and a spring;
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FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of the spring and
cap of FIG. 17 with respect to the base of the low back assembly;
FIG. 20 is a schematic of a control unit useful with embodiments of the
inventive apparatus;
FIG. 21 is a schematic illustrating use of a television screen to provide a
visual signal to a user; and
FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a
switch/force adjustment system in which a switch is secured within a bushing.
Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the
drawings.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The present invention provides devices and methods for strengthening the
spine and abdomen, and for teaching the user postural awareness in order to
maintain and strengthen a neutral spine. By 'neutral spine" is meant a
biomechanically correct spinal position in which muscular balance is
maintained
and the spine absorbs forces optimally and is neither in extreme flexion nor
extreme extension. For example, typical flexion/extension biases for a healthy
user is about 30o and about 15., respectively; other users may have greater or
lesser flexion/extension biases. Neutral spine positions vary with the posture
of
the user; for example, the neutral spine position of a user with kyphosis will
differ
from the neutral spine position of a user having a normal posture.
Turning now to the figures, in FIGS.1-3, a first embodiment of an apparatus
of the invention includes a mat 12, preferably comprised of a non-slip
material,
with a lumbar pad 14 and a head support 16.
Lumbar pad 14 preferably is unitary with mat 12, that is, is formed from a
section of mat 12. Disposed within lumbar pad 14 are activator 18, which
detects
a weight applied to a surface 20 of lumbar pad 14 and subsequently activates
signal producing system 22. The activator 18 can include elements such as one
or more mechanical switches, one or more pressure sensors, or other devices
known to those skilled in the art for detecting a weight applied to a surface.
The activator 18 is connected to one or more signal producing systems 22.
The signal producing system(s) 22 are activated when a compressive force
(e.g.,
a weight) is applied to the selected activator 18, that is, when the activator
responds to (i.e., detect) a weight applied to the surface 20 of mat 12. Once
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activated, the signal producing system 22 produce a signal that is perceptible
by a
person using the inventive apparatus.
In certain more particular embodiments, activator 18 responds to a
compressive force (e.g., weight) that is within a desired range. Thus, when
the
applied compressive force is below the minimum of the desired range, the
activator 18 is not activated, and when the applied compressive force is above
the
maximum of the desired range, the activator 18 is deactivated. In such
embodiments, the range of compressive forces to which activator 18 responds
can
be determined in any conventional manner (e.g., via electronic elements,
software,
mechanical switches or other devices, etc.)
Exemplary signal producing systems 22 include, without limitation, devices
for producing a vibratory signal, such as a mechanical vibrator; devices for
producing an auditory signal, such as an electronic tone generator; devices
for
producing a visible signal, such as a light bulb or a light-emitting diode
(LED); and
the like, as well as combinations of such devices. The signal producing system
22
can be affixed to or within the apparatus 10, for example within lumbar pad
14, or
can be located externally. The activator 18 and the signal producing system 22
are connected together, for example as parts of an electrical circuit, or by
means
such as low-power radio transmitters. Any devices, elements or apparatus for
enabling activator 18 to activate signal producing system 22 are considered to
be
within the scope of the present invention.
Optionally, lumbar pad 14 can accommodate one or more lordosis inserts
14a disposed above activator 18 in order to support users having excessive
lordotic sway or other excessive flexion or extension bias. Exemplary inserts
include, without limitation, mechanical inserts, pneumatic or other inflatable
inserts, and the like. Lumbar pad 14 can also optionally include a switch (not
shown) for disabling signal producing system 22 to allow use of the apparatus
without generation of a signal.
Head support 16 includes a head/neck base 24 and a cervico-thoracic
support 26. A neck support 28, which optionally is adjustable in width, is
disposed
on head support 16 between head/neck base 24 and cervico-thoracic support 26.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 b, head support 16 is detachably affixed to mat 12 by
attachment device 30, for example hook/loop devices such as Velcro(R)
fasteners,
snaps, etc., in order to allow selectable positioning of the head support 16,
and
also to allow head support 16 to be used separately if desired. In the
alternative,
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head support 16 can be permanently affixed to mat 12.
In a preferred embodiment, head support 16 is provided with a plurality of
handles 32. Handles 32 can be formed by cutting openings in base 24, for
example, or can be separately formed and affixed to base 24.
If desired, mat surface 20 can be provided with graphics 34, such as a
stylized representation of a human pelvis and lower backbone, in order to
facilitate
orientation of a user with respect to the mat surface. Illustrations of the
positions
of TLC pressure points and the locations of the activator 18 are also
beneficial to
assist the user in properly orientation with respect to the apparatus 10.
In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, signal producing system 22
include two vibrators 36 disposed within lumbar pad 14 along either side of
the
longitudinal axis 38 of mat 12. Vibrators 36 are connected to activator 18 and
are
activated when activator 18 responds to a compressive force (e.g., the weight
of a
user's body) applied to the surface 20 of mat 12.
An example of an activator 18, illustrated in FIGS. 6a-b, includes a power
source 40, which can be a battery disposed, for example, within lumbar support
14
or at another location within, on or external to apparatus 10, or NC power
supplied
via a plug; a mechanical switch 42 energized by a spring having a preselected
spring constant; and a pair of contacts 44, which with signal producing system
22,
such as a vibrator, form a circuit. In FIG. 6a, a weight, for example the
weight of a
user's body (indicated by a downward arrow), exceeds the spring force and
causes the mechanical switch 42 to close, closing the circuit and activating
signal
producing system 22. Thus, when the user remains in contact with activator 18,
the circuit remains closed and the signal producing system 22 remains
activated.
When the signal producing system includes a vibrator unit 46 (shown in FIGS.
6a-
b), the user perceives a vibratory signal applied to his back; in the
alternative,
when the signal producing system 22 includes a tone generator, light bulb, or
LED,
the user hears and/or sees the signal generated by the signal producing system
22. In any event, the User is informed when his back is in contact with the
activator 18 and exerts sufficient downward force to cause switch 42 to close.
An alternative embodiment of activator 18 includes a pressure sensor and
an associated electronic circuit in place of the mechanical switch. Such
accompanying circuits are readily produced by those skilled in the art to
generate
an output signal in response to application of a predetermined pressure to the
pressure sensor. This output signal in turn activates signal producing system
22.
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Fipi!,'.,IRPOtrOtes another embodiment of the inventive apparatus in which a
pressure sensor 48 is employed rather than a mechanical switch. The signal
producing system includes a light bulb 50. Power is supplied from an external
NC
power supply via plug 52.
Optionally, a kyphosis wedge 54 is inserted between head support 16 and
mat 12, to accommodate users with a head-forward position.
FIGS. 4a-c illustrate an alternative embodiment of a head support 116 which
includes activator 118 disposed within head/neck base 124, and one or more
signal producing systems 122. As illustrated, the signal producing systems
includes a plurality of vibrators disposed within neck support 128. Activator
118
activates the signal producing systems 122 (e.g., vibrators) when the user's
head
leaves contact with activator 118. For example, when activator 118 includes a
mechanical switch, the switch is in an open position when the user's head is
in
contact with it, rather than in a closed position as with activator 18
described
above. When activator 118 includes a pressure sensor, the accompanying
electronic circuit produces a signal when the pressure detected falls below a
predetermined level, rather than exceeding a predetermined level.
If desired, a 3-way switch 130 can be connected to activator 118 and the
vibrators. The switch 130 allows the user to selectively enable or disable the
activator 118 and to separately control activation of the vibrators. Thus, in
one
position, the activator 118 are enabled to activate the vibrators as described
above
with respect to activator 18 and signal producing system 22. In a second
position,
the activator 118 are disabled, and the vibrators are deactivated. In a third
position, the activator is disabled, and the vibrators are activated, thus
allowing
selective user relaxation and the option to stretch while using the inventive
apparatus in between exercise drills.
The activator 118 in the foregoing embodiment of the head support 116 can
be connected in series to the activator 18 disposed, for example, within
lumbar
support 14 as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the signal producing system
22 (and optionally vibrators disposed within head support 116) are activated
only
when both activator 118 and activator 18 are affected by a compressive force,
such as the weight of a user's head and body, respectively.
The signal (vibratory, auditory, visual, etc.) provided by the inventive
apparatus allows the user to heighten the intensity of muscles being worked by
eliminating momentum. When in use, the signal informs the user that his
thoraco-
lumbar area compresses the activator 18 sufficiently to ensure the isolation
of the
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connog rnusoiesege. Thus, the user's proprioceptive acuity is heightened for
lumbo-sacral coordination and strengthening.
The inventive apparatus preferably is used on a horizontal surface such as a
floor or exercise bench. If desired, mat 12 can be provided with one or more
attachment devices such as a hook or clamp, which allows the apparatus to be
affixed to a vertical surface such as a door. The apparatus can also be used
on
surfaces such as chairs.
The signal provided by the inventive apparatus constitutes feedback to the
user while exercising, which permits the user to minimize momentum and
maximize intensity. To begin exercise using the inventive apparatus in a
supine
position, the user's third lumbar vertebra (L3) (typically in the vicinity of
the user's
belt line or umbilicus) is lined up with the lumbar pad 14, and the head/neck
support 16 is positioned under the user's neck where it is comfortable. If
necessary, the position of the head/neck support 16 is adjusted to accommodate
the user. In use, the low back is compressed into lumbar pad 14 until a signal
is
generated by the signal producing system 22. Constant tension is maintained
isometrically by tightening the involved muscles
Use of the alternative embodiment of the head/neck support 116 permits the
user to avoid neck strain. If the user lifts his head during abdominal
training,
resulting in neck strain, the head lift is signaled to the user by the signal
producing
system 122, such as a vibration to the neck, an audible signal produced by a
buzzer, or any other desired signal producing system. The user can then lower
his head to contact the head/neck support 116.
A further particular embodiment 200 of an apparatus according to the
invention is illustrated in Figures 9-16. Apparatus 200 includes a mat 202, a
low
back assembly 204 and a head/neck assembly 206. Both the low back assembly
204 and the head/neck assembly 206 can be releasably secured to mat 202, for
example via Velcro (R) strips or other fasteners. In specific embodiments, low
back assembly 204 is secured, either permanently or releasably, to a
predetermined location on mat 202, and head/neck assembly 206 is releasably
secured to mat 202 at a selectable distance from low back assembly 204. Thus,
as illustrated in Figures 10a-b, the apparatus can calibrated to accommodate
users of varying stature, with the head/neck assembly 206 being moved closer
to
mid-pad 205 and thus secured to mat 202 closer to low back assembly 204 to
accommodate short users (see Figure 10a), or farther from mid-pad 205 and low
back assembly 204 to accommodate tall users (see Figure 10b).
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A itiartitUlar 'embodiment of head/neck assembly 206 useful with the
foregoing embodiment 200 of the inventive apparatus (as well as the previously
described embodiment 10) is illustrated in Figures 11-13. Head/neck assembly
206 includes neck roll 210 and head sensor pad 212 (covering head switch 234)
mounted on neck board 214. Neck roll 210 and head sensor pad 212 are, in
particular embodiments, formed from resilient materials such as polyurethane
or
other foam, or in the alternative include a resilient inner material and an
outer layer
formed from leather, fabric, vinyl or other suitable covering material. Neck
vibrators 232, more particularly paired units as illustrated, are secured
beneath
neck roll 210 by motor backups 240. Aligning elements 227 of neck roll 210
register within holes 226 defined in neck board 214.
Handles 216 are defined along sides 214a-b of neckboard 214. Downward-
opening concavities 218, which in particular embodiments such as here
illustrated
extend beyond the upper surface 214c of neck board 214, are formed in the
lower
surface 214d of neck board 214 and receive the user's fingers when the user
grips
handles 216. Upper back pad 220 is also secured to neck board 214. Upper back
vibrators 242 are disposed within cavities 228 and sandwiched between neck
board 214 and upper back pad 220.
Securing device 222, for example a Velcro(R) strip, are affixed to lower
surface 214d of neck board 214, and enable head/neck assembly 206 to be
releasably affixed to main pad 202.
In further particular embodiments a battery pack 221, secured to the neck
board 214 by battery cover 238 and Velcro( R) strip 230, provides power to the
upper back vibrators 242 and neck vibrators 232, and in additional particular
embodiments to buzzer 224. Alternatively, a battery pack can be secured to or
within low back assembly 204. If desired, multiple battery packs can be used.
Turning to Figures 14-16, low back assembly 204 includes outer cushion
244, which can in particular embodiments be formed from a resilient material
such
as polyurethane or other foam material, or in the alternative include a
resilient
inner material and an outer layer formed from leather, fabric, vinyl or other
suitable
covering material, or a skinned foamed material such as a skinned polyurethane
foam produced by an injection molding process. Outer cushion 244 is secured to
shell 246 serving as a rigid support, either directly or via an additional
intermediate
cushioning layer 264 (see Figure 16). In particular embodiments, the upper
surface of outer cushion 244 includes a plurality of positioning ridges 252,
which
provide increased sensitivity to the user and enable the user to more easily
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pOitiOntliS:lor 'herself properly atop the low back assembly 204.
Lower back vibrators 262, more particularly paired vibrators as illustrated in
Figure 15, are disposed in cavities 263 between outer cushion 244 and shell
246.
Vibrators 262 are activated by a switch/force adjustment system (described
below). Vibrators 262 can be powered, in particular embodiments, by a battery
pack or packs similar to those used in the head/neck assembly 206 described
above. Alternatively, vibrators 262 can be powered from a wall socket, an
automobile cigarette lighter plug, an external battery or battery pack, or any
other
desired external source via system power connection 256.
A first embodiment of a switch/force adjustment system according to the
present invention is shown in Figures 15-16. In this embodiment, switches 248
are
disposed in switch mounts 258 which in particular embodiments are integral
with
shell 246, and which in alternative particular embodiments are separate
elements
that are secured to shell 246. Surrounding and engaging the upper portion 249
of
switch 248 is a force adjustment ring 250, which in turn registers within and
protrudes upward from opening 260 defined in outer cushion 244.
Force adjustment ring 250 is comprised, in particular embodiments, of a
resilient material that is stiffer and less resilient than the material(s)
comprising
cushion 244. By varying the stiffness of force adjusting ring 250, the
magnitude of
the compressive force required to close switches 248 and thus activate
vibrators
262 can be selectively controlled. For example, a user can sequentially employ
force adjusting rings 250 of gradually increasing stiffness, in order to
gradually
increase the compressive force that the user's back must exert on the
switch/force
adjustment systems in order to activate the vibrators 262.
As illustrated, switches 248 and force adjusting rings 250 are employed in
the low back assembly 204. In other particular embodiments, switches 248 and
force adjusting rings 250 are also used in the head/neck assembly 206 in order
to
activate vibrators 232 and/or 242.
A second embodiment of a switch/force adjustment system according to the
present invention is shown in Figures 17-19. In this embodiment, upper portion
249 of switch 248 is surrounded by a compressible element 270, as illustrated
a
spring. Switch 248 and compressible element 270 each have longitudinal axes,
and the respective axes are substantially collinear when compressible element
270 is disposed about switch 248. Cap 272 including upper element 274 and a
plurality of arms 276 (two are illustrated in Figures 17-18) is disposed above
compressible element 270 such that upper element 274 is in contact with the
top
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mmpressible F,lement 270 and together with arms 276 at least partially
encloses compressible element 270. Distal ends 278 of arms 276 include locking
elements 280 which engage switch mounts 258 via notches 282. Sufficient space
is provided within switch mounts 258 to permit movement of arms 276 in a
direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of switch 248. Cap
272
registers within and protrudes upward from opening 260 defined in outer
cushion
244. Locking elements 280 of cap 272 prevent unintentional disengagement of
cap 272, while permitting the cap to be removed (i.e., by squeezing arms 276
toward each other) in order to remove and/or replace compressible element 270.
In use, exertion of a compressive force on cap 272 causes a downward
displacement of the cap, which brings the cap into contact with switch 248.
The
stiffness of the compressible element 270 determines the amount of compressive
force needed to cause switch 248 to close and thereby activate vibrators 262.
A
user thus can sequentially employ compressible elements 270, such as springs,
of
gradually increasing stiffness, in order to gradually increase the compressive
force
that the user's back must exert on the switch/force adjustment systems in
order to
activate the vibrators 262.
Vibrators 262 are activated by switches 248. In more particular
embodiments using at least one pair of vibrators 262, each of the vibrators is
separately and independently operable by the user. In other particular
embodiments, the vibrators can be configured to work in tandem rather than
independently.
In particular embodiments, one or more of the vibrators 262 can also be
activated manually by means of a control unit 290 (e.g., a hand set as shown
in
Figure 20) in communication with the vibrators 262 via cable 254. In Figure
20, a
particular embodiment of hand set 290 includes power switch 292 for providing
power to the vibrators 262, activation switches 294a and 294b for
independently
activating neck vibrators 232 and low back vibrators 262, respectively, and
paired
indicators 296a and 296b, for example lighted marker bars, respectively in
communication with switches 248 on the left and right side of low back
assembly
204 (or alternatively, configured for tandem operation of paired vibrators).
Hand
set 290 enables the user to activate the neck and/or low back vibrators
without
first having to compress switches 248, thus allowing the inventive apparatus
to be
used as a relaxation and stretching device as well as an exercise device.
Furthermore, when the inventive device is used for strengthening the user's
lower
back, indicators 296a-b visually alert the user when the user's lower back
muscles
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(Mit sufficient"CidniPressive force to compress switches 248.
In more particular embodiments, the switch/force adjustment system
incorporated in low back assembly 204 include one or more measurement
elements that quantify the magnitude of the compressive force exerted by the
user's lower back on the switch/force adjustment system. In such embodiments,
paired indicators 296a-b can include a display element that visually indicates
the
magnitude of the compressive force. Such embodiments assist the user in
adjusting the compressive force exerted by each side of the user's lower back,
in
order to exert equal compressive force on each and thus optimize the
strengthening exercises performed using the apparatus.
Alternatively, as
mentioned previously, the system can be configured for tandem operation in
which
the two sides of the user's back are not independently monitored.
In particular embodiments, head/neck 206 and low back assembly 204 are
used jointly, both being attached to mat 202. In the alternative, head/neck
assembly 206 and low back assembly 204 can be used separately, either attached
to mat 202 or by itself. More particularly, low back assembly 204 can be used
as
a separate device placed on a floor, an exercise apparatus, an automobile seat
or
other surface.
The foregoing embodiments employ vibrator units as signal producing
systems. Other signal producing systems, such as visual or auditory signaling
units, can also be employed together with or in place of the vibrator units.
For
example, as shown in Figure 21, a wireless transmitter 300 in communication
with
the switch/force adjustment system incorporated in low back assembly 204
transmits information defining the magnitude of the compressive force to a
television screen 302 in a health club or other location. Television screen
302
then displays the information to the user.
Figure 22 illustrates another alternative embodiment which provides
additional support and protection for the switch 248. In this embodiment, a
bushing 310 is mounted within and secured to switch mount 258. Bushing 310, in
particular embodiments, comprises a metal, metal alloy, ceramic or other hard
material, more specifically a material having a hardness greater than the
hardness
of the material forming switch mount 258. A threaded opening 312 is defined
axially through bushing 310, and engages corresponding threads 314 formed on
an outer surface of switch 248. According to more specific embodiments, a pair
of
bushings 310 support switch 248, with a first bushing being secured to switch
mount 258 and a second bushing being secured to shell 246 and coaxially with
the
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PCT/US2006/025587
fhiStbkishing andMith switch 248.
Embodiments making use of bushing(s) 310 afford additional support to
switch 248, and also enable adjustment of the axial position of switch 248 as
desired, particularly during manufacture of the assembly.
In further specific embodiments, a cushioning element 320 is provided
between upper portion 249 of switch 248 and cap 272. Cushioning element 320
can comprise, for example, a foam material or another resilient material, and
protects the switch 248 from excessive wear and other possible damage due to
contact with cap 272.
In further particular embodiments, an additional activator 320 can be
incorporated into the inventive device at a location corresponding to a user's
lower
sacrum. The additional activator 320, in very particular embodiments,
activates
one or more additional signal producing systems as described herein (e.g.,
vibratory, audio, visual, etc.). Such embodiments provide additional feedback
to
enable the user to maintain desired neutral spine positioning while
exercising.
Additional embodiments enable information transfer to any desired display
element, for example, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a PDA, and the
like.
Such information can be transferred via a cable connection, a wireless
transmitter,
or any other desired mode of transmission. The information so transferred can
also be further processed and stored.
Embodiments of the invention thus provide feedback for improving
proprioceptive acuity and lumbo-sacral coordination.
A progressive exercise routine designed specifically for the inventive
apparatus will allow the user to start with the short (e.g., 4 minute) drill
series and
progress at his own pace. Precision postural positioning for strong "neutral
spine"
occurs when the user re-educates the neuro-muscular system using the inventive
apparatus.
The invention has been illustrated herein as a self-contained apparatus.
However, the invention can also be incorporated into another object, including
without limitation objects such as an exercise apparatus (e.g., an inclined
rowing
machine), an exercise bench, a chair, a bed, etc. The invention can also be
separately produced and subsequently affixed to another object.
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