Body vibration generator having attachments for exercises to target body regions

• US 7,238,143 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Birute Sokolova, Genadijus Sokolovos, Nikiforas Sokolovas
• Original Assignee: Birute Sokolova, Genadijus Sokolovos, Nikiforas Sokolovas
• Inventors: Sokolovas, Nikiforas, Sokolova, Birute, Sokolovos, Genadijus
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman; Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US10/861,431
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 601/1, 601/46, 601/48, 601 51- 54, 601 67- 73, 601/84, 601/89, 601 93- 95, 601/108, 482 1- 9
• US Class Current: 482/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1418 Cam
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1619 Thorax
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1664 linear
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1685 interchangeable modular devices, A61H2201/0107
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 with rotary motor
• 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 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/10 Swimming instruction apparatus for use without water

Abstract

A method of conditioning a body for swimming in conjunction with an inclined bench of the type having a sliding top carriage comprising the steps of: a) providing i) a vibration generation unit having a housing containing vibration generation and a vibrating member; ii) a member attachment to facilitate transmission of the generated vibration to the body; and a base for the vibration generation unit capable of orienting the vibrating member in a position generally parallel to an incline of the bench; b) orienting the vibration generation unit on the base so that its vibrating member reciprocates on a plane generally parallel to the bench; and, c) positioning and securing the vibration generation unit beneath the bench. Then a swimmer lying face down on and carried by the carriage can slide the carriage cyclically along the incline by pressing his hands on the vibrating member attachment specifically conditioning his arms and upper torso.

Claims

1. A method of conditioning muscles in a selected portion of the body comprising the steps of:

i) providing a vibration generation unit having a housing containing vibration generation equipment including an upright vibrating member longitudinally reciprocating therein with an amplitude of longitudinal motion, and extending out through the housing;

said vibrating member having an axis angularly oriented to selectively vibrate the muscles in the selected portion of the body;

ii) vibrating the upright member with an amplitude between 2 to 12 millimeters and with a frequency between 20 and 40 Hz; and

,

iii) centrally attaching a lateral member directly to the vibrating member so that opposite ends of the lateral member can be held/pushed with one'"'"'s hands and so that the full amplitude of longitudinal motion of the vibrating member is wholly transmitted to the lateral member; and

,

so that during exercise selected muscles in a region of the body are specifically conditioned.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the vibration generation unit comprises a base capable of orienting the housing in varying positions so that the angular orientation of the axis of the vibrating member can be chosen to selectively vibrate muscles in varying regions of the body.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the vibrating member has a non-vertical orientation to facilitate transmission of non-vertical vibration to selected muscles and regions of the body.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the lateral member is removably and lockably attachable to the upright member to facilitate vibrating the body with attachments other than the lateral member.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the upright member vibrates with an amplitude between 4 to 10 millimeters and with a frequency between 25 and 35 Hz.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein the frequency of the vibration is variable within the frequency range to enable the frequency to be tuned to resonate a selected muscle of a given length, and further comprising the step of adjusting the frequency to a muscle being conditioned.

7. A method as in claim 6 further comprising the step of providing an energy meter and sensor to measure muscle activity in an exercised muscle and thereafter tuning vibration frequency to maximize or resonate that measured muscle activity.

8. A method as in claim 1 of conditioning the arms for swimming in conjunction with an inclined bench of the type having a sliding top carriage further comprising the steps of:

a) orienting the vibration generation unit so that the vibrating member moves generally parallel to an incline of the bench; and

,

b) positioning and securing the vibration generation unit beneath the bench;

so that a swimmer lying face down on and carried by the carriage can slide the carriage cyclically up along the incline by pressing his hands on opposite end portions of the vibrating lateral member.

16. A method as in claim 8 wherein the lateral member is removably and lockably attachable to the upright member to facilitate vibrating other attachments than the lateral member.

17. A method as in claim 8 wherein the upright member vibrates with an amplitude between 4 to 10 millimeters and with a frequency between 25 and 35 Hz.

9. A method of conditioning a selected portion of the body comprising the steps of:

i) providing a vibration generation unit having a housing containing vibration generation equipment including an upright vibrating member longitudinally reciprocating therein with an amplitude of longitudinal motion, and extending out through the housing;

ii) attaching a cable to directly to the vibrating member so that the full amplitude of longitudinal motion of the vibrating member is wholly transmitted to the cable to thereby facilitate full transmission of the amplitude of the generated vibration to selected muscles in a region of the body;

is transmitted to the cable to facilitate transmission of the generated vibration to selected muscles in a region of the body;

iii) vibrating the upright member with an amplitude between 2 to 12 millimeters and with a frequency between 20 and 40 Hz;

so that the selected muscles and region of the body can be specifically conditioned.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein the vibrating member has a non-vertical orientation to facilitate transmission of non-vertical vibration to selected muscles and regions of the body.

11. A method as in claim 9 wherein the vibration generation unit comprises a base capable of orienting the housing in varying positions so that the angular orientation of the axis of the vibrating member can be chosen to selectively vibrate muscles in varying regions of the body.

12. A method as in claim 9 further comprising the step of stringing the cable through pulleys before it is pulled and wherein the vibrating member further extends from a top side portion of the housing and wherein a lower portion of the housing is adapted to removably carry heavy discs so that the vibration generation unit can be suspended.

13. A method as in claim 9 wherein the attached cable comprises two cables and wherein an unattached end portion of each cable terminates in hand hold.

14. A method as in claim 13 of conditioning the arms for swimming in conjunction with an inclined bench of the type having a sliding top carriage further comprising the steps of:

a) orienting the vibration generation unit so that the vibrating member moves generally parallel to an incline of the bench; and

,

b) positioning and securing the vibration generation unit beneath the bench;

so that a swimmer lying face down on and carried by the carriage can slide the carriage cyclically up along the incline by pulling on the hand holds.

15. A method as in claim 14 further comprising the step of the swimmer pulling on the cable with one'"'"'s hands in a swimming arm pattern such as a breast stroke.

18. A method as in claim 9 wherein the frequency of the vibration is variable within the frequency range to enable the frequency to be tuned to resonate a selected muscle of a given length, and further comprising the step of adjusting the frequency to a muscle being conditioned.

19. A method as in claim 18 further comprising the step of providing an energy meter and sensor to measure muscle activity in an exercised muscle and thereafter tuning vibration frequency to maximize or resonate that measured muscle activity.