Anterior loading apparatus for strengthening a user's mid-torso and inner spine, and for posture training

• US 6,575,880 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Prapawadee Hengtrakulsin
• Original Assignee: Prapawadee Hengtrakulsin
• Inventors: Hengtrakulsin, Prapawadee
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US09/645,030
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 482/10, 482/97, 482/98, 482/100, 482/92-94, 482/105, 482/148, 482/137-139, 602/36, 601/39
• US Class Current: 482/97
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0616 with an adjustable moment A63B21/0617 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4003 to the head; to the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/02 posture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs

Abstract

An anterior loading apparatus and a method for strengthening a user'"'"'s torso inner spine and muscles thereof, and training the user to hold a correct upright posture providing awareness of the proper spinal alignment comprises a frame assembly including a base member, a pair of vertical frame members, a vertical torso support means, both affixed to and extending upwardly from the base member, and a loading beam with one end pivotally mounted at the upper section of the pair of vertical frame members and the other end extending beyond and above the top end of the vertical torso support means which is spaced apart from and aligned with a mid-plane of the pair of vertical frame members. The projecting portion of the loading beam terminates in a liftable straight-edged free end having a pad mounted thereon. At least one weight is mounted to the mid-section of the loading beam to apply a vertical load thereto. A user operates the apparatus by applying the padded straight-edged free end on top of the axis of his or her anterior torso and lifting the padded free end up by straightening up his or her body and pushing forward his or her upper torso. The lifted free end in turn lifts the at least one weight mounted to the loading beam. The user is maintained to resist the vertical load thereon, whereby such apparatus urges the user to straighten up and push forward his or her upper torso. The vertically compressive force simulates gravity to strengthen the user'"'"'s torso, inner spine and muscles thereof, while training the user to develop a habit of holding straight upright posture and to aware of proper spinal alignment, and enabling a hand-free weightlifting exercise.

Claims

1. An anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus comprising:

a base member;

a pair of substantially vertical frame members affixed to and extending upwardly from said base member;

a substantially vertical, medial torso support means affixed to and extending upwardly from said base member, said medial torso support means spaced from said vertical frame members and aligned with a mid-plane of said pair of vertical frame members;

said medial torso support means having a substantially straight front surface sized and configured to snugly engage a user'"'"'s medial abdomen when the user'"'"'s upright body is positioned adjacently facing and leaning against said medial torso support means, said medial torso support means having a terminal top end;

a loading beam having first end pivotally mounted in between said pair of vertical frame members at an upper section thereof and a second end extending outwardly beyond and above the terminal top end of said medial torso support means and terminating in a liftable straight-edged free end;

said liftable straight-edged free end of said loading beam sized and configured to engage with the base of the front neck of a user;

a plurality of weights mounted to a mid-section of said loading beam for loading said loading beam downwardly;

a pad encircling said straight-edged free end of said loading beam for minimizing the discomfort at the loading area at the top of a user'"'"'s anterior torso due to an extended period of loading operation;

said pad having a predetermined thickness at its outermost end adapted to allow a proper engagement of said straight-edged free end with the base of a user'"'"'s front neck, defined on top of a user'"'"'s anterior torso axis;

said liftable straight-edged free end is located on said base relative to said medial torso support means so that a user positioned in an upright position has their chest and medial abdominal region snugly engaged with the front surface of said medial torso support means and has the base of the front of the neck engaged with said pad;

wherein a user engaging the base of the front of their neck with the pad of said anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus urges a user to straighten up, hold in the abdominal muscles and push forward the upper torso to resist the vertical load thereof and lift said straight-edged free end which in turn causes said loading beam to lift said plurality of weights upwardly;

wherein said anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus applies a compressive force to a user engaging the base of the front of their neck with the pad to strengthen the torso, inner spine, and particularly, the convex side of the lumbar spine and the muscles thereof;

wherein a user engaging the base of the front of their neck with the pad of said anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus trains a user to develop a desirable habit of holding straight and upright posture and discourages an undesirable habit of holding a slouching posture; and

wherein a user engaging the base of the front of their neck with the pad of said anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus enables a user to perform a hand-free weightlifting exercise.

2. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment means to selectively adjust said loading beam vertically and horizontally, to fit the chest level and the body dimension of a user.

3. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vertical, medial torso support means is height adjustable, having a vertical extension slidably fitted on top of a bottom portion of said vertical, medial torso support means.

4. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cushion removably provided on said base member for receiving a weight bearing portion of a user'"'"'s body.

5. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of weights is located underneath said loading beam between said pair of vertical frame members and said vertical, medial torso support means.

6. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of weights is mounted on and above said loading beam.

7. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a vertical holding post mounted to the mid-section of said loading beam and extending upwardly therefrom for holding said plurality of weights thereon.

8. The anterior loading, torso, spinal and posture training exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liftable straight-edged free end has a width at its outermost end comparable to the diameter of the human neck.

9. A method for strengthening a person'"'"'s torso, inner spine, and muscles thereof, and training a person'"'"'s upright posture and awareness of the proper spinal alignment, comprising the steps of:

the person positioning the front of their torso against a substantially upright, vertical torso support to support and maintain their upper torso in a static, stationary and upright position;

applying a vertically compressive force on top of the person'"'"'s anterior torso axis by engaging a load interface that applies said force to the base of the front of the person'"'"'s neck above the person'"'"'s chest; and

the person straightening up, holding in their abdominal muscles and pushing forward their upper torso to resist and lift the load interface for a period of time.

10. The method for strengthening a person'"'"'s torso, inner spine, and muscles thereof, and training a person'"'"'s upright posture and awareness of the proper spinal alignment of claim 9, wherein said load interface comprises a pad to provide a comfortable engagement with the person.

11. The method for strengthening a person'"'"'s torso, inner spine, and muscles thereof, and training a person'"'"'s upright posture and awareness of the proper spinal alignment of claim 9, wherein the person is positioned in an upright standing position.

12. The method for strengthening a person'"'"'s torso, inner spine, and muscles thereof, and training a person'"'"'s upright posture and awareness of the proper spinal alignment of claim 9, wherein the person is positioned in an upright kneeling position.

13. The method for strengthening a person'"'"'s torso, inner spine, and muscles thereof, and training a person'"'"'s upright posture and awareness of the proper spinal alignment of claim 9, wherein the period of time the person lifts the load interface is extended.