Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an exercise device. Particularly, but not
exclusively,
the present invention relates to an exercise device for the improvement and/or
therapeutic rehabilitation of the muscles and physical structures of the neck,
face,
shoulders, upper chest and upper back.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There exists a need for a device that will safely and comprehensively exercise
the
muscles of the human neck which is available to the general population to own
and use
routinely for the benefit of their health, while being compact enough to store
easily.
Such a device, if used regularly, would encourage healthy function of the neck
in
counteraction to negative influences such as working long hours at a computer,
a
sedentary lifestyle and habitually poor posture. It may also be used
therapeutically in
order to counteract the effect of traumatic neck injuries.
It is desirable for such a device to have a range of motion which exercises
all of the
muscles of the neck but which is constrained within safe bounds of movement
and
which has an adjustable and linear resistance pattern.
A number of devices are known that attempt to address such a need.
US 2011111925 Al describes a floor standing device which allows for the
application of
resistance to the muscles of the neck through a strictly limited range of
motion.
This device offers resistance in one direction only, requiring a user to
orientate their
body position in ninety degree increments relative to the device in order to
experience
resistance to the front, back, left and right sides of the neck.
A user is required to stabilise their body relative to the resistance applied
to their head
making this less than ideal for a solution required to work the neck muscles
alone. This
solution lacks of control over the range of movement, in this case by allowing
movement
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of other parts of the body in congruence with neck movement, which will
compromise its
effectiveness.
Optimising the contact points on the head and body required to isolate and
control the
movement of the head relative to the body, in a manner that is comfortable to
the user
even under resistance, is a critical part of the solution to this problem. A
failure to
adequately address this aspect of the problem are common to all prior art in
the field.
Other types of floor-standing device are described in US 2008119331 Al, US
2003228955 Al, KR 20110028936 A, and CA 2419347 Al.
WO 2010132106 Al describes a device which is worn by the user and is
relatively
compact. A strap is placed around the user's forehead by which forward
movement of
the head is resisted using an elastic resistance mechanism. This device is
compact
enough for a user to own and store at home, however it provides merely a
rudimentary
approach to the resistance pattern and range of movement which means that it
fails to
adequately address aspects of the problem specification, since it uses a non-
linear
resistance pattern and has too limited a range of motion. According to this
solution in
order to exercise the muscles at the back of the neck a foam insert is
provided against
which the user presses with the back of their head, compressing the foam.
Aside from
introducing unnecessary complexity, this method means that a different range
of motion
and pattern of resistance is experienced by the user in forward and backwards
movements.
Other types of device that attempt to provide a compact solution to the
problem are
described in HR 20080385 A2, WO 2005021103 A2, CH 201379679 Y, US D622333
Si, CA 2669505 Al, CN 101822893 A
it is common for the range of motion to be limited to either posterior
(rearward relative to
the body) movement or anterior (forward relative to the body) movement
sometimes in
combination with a slight angular deviation. Such limited range of motion is
likely be
fundamentally counteractive to certain aspects the problem specification,
namely to
safely, comprehensively and effectively exercise the muscles of the neck.
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A third common limitation is the use of elastic or other non-linear resistance
mechanism
as the primary resistance mechanism in the system. An elastic resistance
mechanism
will tend to have low resistance upon initial operation, which then increases
as the
elastomer stretches or compresses. This is sub-optimal for nearly every type
of exercise
device, since a non-linear resistance pattern will put varying strain on
muscles at
different phases of the exercise cycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a neck exercise device which provides
adjustable resistance through a safe range of motion in a linear resistance
pattern in
alternately posterior and anterior directions in simultaneous combination with
low-
resistance rotational (the turning of the head left or right) movement.
According to the invention, there are provided separate contact points for the
front and
rear of a user's head. The frontal contact points preferably contact a user's
jaw
underneath and on both sides. Said frontal contact points preferably being
adjustable in
orientation to accommodate different jaw shapes. The rear contact similarly
has contact
points on both sides of, and on the lower rear of the cranium. Said rear
contact points
are optionally adjustable in orientation. Said rear contact points may
alternatively
comprise a single rear contact pad and a restraint to rotational movement,
comprising a
strap or pincer-motion closing pads, which encircles the head either partially
or entirely.
Both the front and rear contact points principally should restrain the head
relative to the
device in both posterior, anterior and rotational movement by having contact
points both
in the jaw area and on the rear of the cranium.
Both front and rear contact points are attached to a structurally rigid inner
hoop which
encircles a user's head horizontally at approximately the height of the chin.
Said inner
hoop is able to rotate as a user turns their head to the left and right,
having an axis
closely resembling a line drawn vertically through a user's spine at the
height of said
inner hoop. Said inner hoop is located partially within a larger outer hoop
and is
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secured relative to said outer hoop by means of a bearing mechanism which
allows said
inner hoop to rotate around its axis as described with minimal resistance.
Said outer hoop is not free to rotate with the inner hoop and instead has a
central pivot
around a horizontal axis which runs laterally to the user's body, parallel to
a line drawn
through a user's shoulders. The axis is preferably implemented physically by
two
hinges, one either side of a user's neck, which are structurally mounted to
shoulder
pads which sit atop the user's shoulders. Said shoulder pads and mounting
assembly
support the weight of the device and steadily hold its position relative to a
user's upper
body.
A resistance mechanism, which preferably provides constant, linear resistance,
is
located between the outer hoop and the mounting assembly such that the
pivoting
motion of said outer hoop relative to said mounting assembly is opposed in
either
direction to a degree which may be set according to a user's preference.
Said resistance mechanism preferably comprises a pneumatic cylinder, hinged at
both
ends, connected between the front of said outer hoop and said mounting
assembly.
Alternatively said resistance mechanism may be contained within the hinge
mechanisms about which said outer hoop pivots by, for example, a variable
resistance
friction hinge mechanism. Alternatively said resistance mechanism may consist
a
pulley/cog arrangement with a load bearing mechanism attached such that the
pulley/cog ratio be adjusted to vary resistance inherent in the mechanism.
Principally
said resistance mechanism should be compact enough to be integrated into or
onto the
device itself and provide a near linear resistance pattern such that
resistance felt by a
user is roughly constant at all points in the pivoting of said outer hoop.
Preferably said
resistance mechanism allows for differing resistance in posterior and anterior
motion of
said outer hoop.
Application of pressure to the frontal contact points in forward motion of the
user's head
causes the outer hoop to pivot around its axis and the user's head
correspondingly to
pivot relative to the body around the same axis. Said forward motion will be
referred to
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from hereon as anterior motion. Anterior motion will primarily engage the
muscles as
the front of the neck.
Rearward motion is identical except that pressure is applied to the rear
contact points,
the direction in which the outer hoop and the head pivots will be opposite,
and that the
muscles engaged will primarily be those at the back of the neck. Said rearward
motion
will be referred to from hereon as posterior motion.
Since the inner hoop is free to rotate around its vertical axis without
significant
resistance, a user may simultaneously turn their head and tilt it forward or
backward,
thereby further engaging muscles in the sides of the neck. Rotational motion
of said
inner hoop imparted by the turning of a user's head will be referred to from
hereon as
rotational motion.
The combination of rotational motion, which is opposed by the least resistance
mechanically possible within the constraints of the design, and anterior or
posterior
motion, which is opposed by constant and adjustable resistance inherent in the
resistance mechanism, allows a controlled range of motion for a user's head
relative to
their body and precise control over the resistance pattern, while the device
remains
stable in terms of the location of both axis. This structural stability
automatically
maintains an upright posture for a user's upper spine and limits the potential
for injury to
the muscles of the neck which could otherwise be induced by poor exercise
form.
It should be noted that in addition to the muscles of the neck, the device
will also
exercise surrounding muscle groups including those of the upper chest, upper
back,
upper shoulders and those of the face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly;
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FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly;
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of a portion of the assembly;
FIG. 4 is an alternative perspective view of the assembly;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly with a component detached.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of the assembly when worn.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. I shows an example of neck exercise machine assembly 100. The assembly
100
comprises an inner hoop I which is free to rotate within outer hoop 2 and
around axis Y
by means of a bearing mechanism which will be described subsequently.
Outer hoop 2 is permanently attached to hinge mechanisms 3 which in turn are
permanently attached to mounting apparatus 4 by mounting brackets 12. Mounting
apparatus 4 is a rigid structure and is mounted atop shoulder pads 5 by fixing
mechanism 6 which principally allows height and orientation adjustment with
sufficient
minimal clearance to allow some flexing of said shoulder pads 5. Shoulder pads
5
preferably should comprise a combination of a supple or soft material with a
semi-rigid
backing to allow for a comfortable interface between the device and a user's
shoulders.
FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 show further specific details of neck exercise machine
assembly
100. Fixing mechanisms 6 in this example comprise a wing nut 601 mounted on a
bolt
602 which is fixed to shoulder pads 5 and which passes through long slot 603
in
mounting apparatus 4 and allows for mounting apparatus 4 to be raised or
lowered
relative to shoulder pads 5 prior to use of the assembly 100. Said fixing
mechanisms 6
also allow shoulder pads 5 to be rotated in orientation relative to the user's
shoulders in
order to provide fitment to varying upper shoulder shapes.
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Rear contact 7 is permanently attached to inner hoop 1. Front contact 8 is
removably
attached to inner hoop I in this example by a sliding mechanism with a sprung
latch to
lock, though it is understood that any appropriate mechanism which allows easy
removal of, and secure attachment to front contact 8 from inner hoop 1 may be
used.
Front contact 8 consists of side contact pads 801 which are adjustable in
rotation
around mounting pillars 802 and which are secured in said rotation by thumb
screws
803. Horizontal contact pad 804 is permanently attached to support plate 805.
Mounting pillars 802 are permanently attached to support plate 805. Front
contact 8
attaches to inner hoop 1 by the insertion of male front contact attachment 806
into
corresponding female front contact attachment 807. s
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of exercise machine assembly 100 with front
contact 8
removed. Female front contact attachment 807 is permanently fixed to inner
hoop 1.
Sprung latch 808 folds flat within the body of male front contact attachment
806 during
insertion and automatically protrudes from the body once inserted/removed by
means of
a spring mechanism (not shown). To detach front contact 8 from exercise
machine
assembly 100 a user depresses sprung latch 808, thereby allowing male front
contact
attachment 806 to be removed from female front contact attachment 807.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of bearing assembly 9, which is contained within
and
includes components of inner hoop 1 and outer hoop 2. Inner hoop I rotates
freely
around axis Y and within a fitted recess in outer hoop 2 by means of bearing
assembly
9 which comprises bearings 901, bearing cage 902, inner hoop bearing channels
903
and outer hoop bearing channels 904. Bearings 901 are contained within bearing
cage
902. Bearings 901 are located within inner hoop bearing channels 903 and outer
hoop
bearing channels 904. The lower section of outer hoop bearing channels 904 are
not
visible in FIG. 3 but they should be assumed to be present.
Outer hoop 2 is free to pivot around axis X by means of its physical
association with
hinge mechanisms 3 and is resisted in said pivoting motion by resistance
mechanism
11. Inner hoop 1, rear contact 7, front contact 8 and bearing mechanism 9
follow the
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same rotation pattern as outer hoop 2 since they are physically associated
along said
axis X with said outer hoop 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of exercise machine assembly 100 from below.
Resistance
mechanism 11 comprises pneumatic cylinder 1101, lower cylinder hinge 1102,
upper
cylinder hinge 1103 and flow control valves 1104. Upper cylinder hinge 1103
connects
pneumatic cylinder 1101 to outer hoop 2. Lower cylinder hinge 1102 connects
pneumatic cylinder 1101 to mounting apparatus 4. Pivoting of outer hoop 2
around axis
X causes pneumatic cylinder 1101 to operate in alternately positive and
negative
strokes depending on the direction of pivot. By this means the resistance to
the pivoting
motion of outer hoop 2 felt by a user in operation of exercise machine
assembly 100 is
determined by the resistance inherent in said pneumatic cylinder 1101.
Resistance to
movement of pneumatic cylinder 1101 can be determined by varying the aperture
which
allows air into an out of pneumatic cylinder 1101 by operation of flow control
valves
1104.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembly when worn. Prior to use a user
adjusts side contact pads 801 of front contact 8 to attain a close fit to
their jaw. Thumb
screws 803 are then tightened to lock side contact pads 801 in place.
Exercise machine assembly 100 is lowered over the head of a user with front
contact 8
detached. Once shoulder pads 5 are fully located the user, attaches front
contact 8 by
inserting male front contact attachment 806 into female front contact
attachment 807 on
inner hoop I until sprung latch 808 engages.
Movement of inner hoop 1 is now tied to movement of the user's head by means
of rear
contact 7 and front contact 8. In operation the user is able to tilt their
head forwards in
anterior motion, pressing their chin into front contact 8 thereby pivoting the
associated
assembly components around axis X as described, in opposition to the
resistance
provided by pneumatic cylinder 1101.
The user is able to tilt their head backwards in posterior motion, pressing
the back of
their head into rear contact 7 thereby pivoting the associated assembly
components
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around axis X as described, in opposition to the resistance provided by
pneumatic
cylinder 1101.
The user is further able to rotate their head in either direction around axis
Y, said head
rotation being constrained to inner hoop 1 by contact between their jaw and
side contact
pads 801 of front contact 8 and the back of their head with rear contact 7.
This causes
inner hoop 1 to rotate within outer hoop 2, said rotation being facilitated by
bearing
assembly 9.
It is the goal of a user of exercise machine assembly 100 to alternately
combine anterior
or posterior motion with rotational motion. It is by combining these movements
that a
user will engage the muscles at the front, back and sides of the neck, thereby
giving a
user's neck musculature exercise within a controlled range of motion. The
device
allows movement of the head relative to the body around axis X and axis Y,
either in
combination or in isolation, with the movement around axis X being subject to
controlled
resistance and the movement around axis y being relatively free to resistance.
The
device does not allow movement in other directions by virtue of its rigid
structure
thereby ensuring that movements performed by the user remain within safe
bounds.
Exercise machine assembly 100 allows a user flexibility in the pattern of
movement they
choose for their exercise. It may consist a combination of rotational and
posterior/anterior movement, posterior/anterior movement only with the head
rotated or
neutrally located, rotational movement alone combined with incremental or zero
posterior/anterior movement, or any combination of these or alternative to
these that the
user sees fit.
A significant benefit of the two-axis approach employed by the design of
exercise
machine assembly 100 is that individual movements can be seamlessly linked
together
such that they feel like one continuous movement. This is beneficial both in
terms of the
user experience feeling more fluid and satisfactory, meaning that continued
use and
benefit are more likely, and that smooth and stutter-free movements are more
conducive to injury free exercise.
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