Vibrationary exercise apparatus

• US 7,214,170 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2003
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: South Bank University Enterprises Limited (London South Bank University)
• Original Assignee: South Bank University Enterprises Limited (London South Bank University)
• Inventors: Brown, Roger Leslie, Sumners, David Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow; Stephen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHHABRA, ARUN S
• Application Number:
  US10/507,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20050181918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 482/92, 482 99-103, 601/46
• US Class Current: 482/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1261 combined with active exercising of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00196 using pulsed counterforce, e.g. vibrating resistance means A61H1/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

An exercise apparatus in which movement of a weight by the user generates a vibration which acts on the muscles being exercised.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus which comprises (i) a resistance means able to provide resistance to a movement by a user and (ii) a vibration means able to impart a vibration to the user, which vibration means acts on a muscle or muscle group being exercised and in which the energy for the vibration means is provided by a movement or movements of the user, wherein the vibration means comprises a cable or belt and two rollers that are rotated by movement of the cable or belt as it passes therebetween, the cable or belt being connected to the resistance means;

and wherein one of the rollers has areas of raised rubber equally spaced around its circumference so that these areas exert a greater resistance to the cable or belt as this roller rotates and comes into contact with the other roller; and

wherein there is a handle or grip attached to the cable or belt.

2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 in which the resistance means is selected from free weights, a weight machine, a spring resistance and a hydraulic resistance.

3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, in which, in use, the frequencies of vibration are from 5 to 100 Hz.

4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frequencies of vibration are from 5 to 100 Hz.