Exercise equipment and convex member incorporated in exercise equipment

Abstract

Provided is an exercise machine capable of reducing the rubbing noise generated when a user performs a jiggling exercise, and a convex member incorporated in the exercise machine. [Solution] The exercise equipment 1 comprises a main body 4 having an arc portion 4b that rotates over a predetermined range when the user alternately moves both feet up and down, and a recess formed in the arc portion 4b of the main body 4 and a convex member 3 that fits into the recess, the main body 4 being made of wood, and the contact surface of the convex member 3 on the convex side that comes into contact with the recess being made of plastic resin.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine that allows a user to alternately raise and lower both feet, and a convex member incorporated in the exercise machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The exercise or movement of moving both legs up and down in quick increments, known as "jiggling," is said to be effective as a simple way to promote blood circulation, relieve stress, and alleviate lack of exercise (hereinafter, this movement will be referred to as "jiggling"). For several years, jiggling has been attracting attention as a way to alleviate lack of exercise among elderly people who are forced to live in wheelchairs. Recently, with the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), the number of people working from home and those who refrain from going out has increased sharply, and jiggling has also attracted attention as a way to alleviate lack of exercise for these people.

[0003] The applicant has previously proposed a foot-operated device that allows the user to easily perform jiggling while seated on a chair or the like (for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an exercise device that includes a main body that rotates over a predetermined range when the user places both feet on a support and moves them alternately, and a protrusion that fits into a recess formed by removing a part of the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-187604 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above conventional technology, the main body and the convex parts were made of wood, which resulted in a loud rubbing noise caused by contact between the main body (concave) and the convex parts during jiggling, which was not considerate to the surroundings.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device and a convex member to be incorporated into the exercise device that can reduce the rubbing noise generated when a user performs jiggling exercise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The exercise equipment of the present invention comprises a main body having an arcuate portion that rotates over a predetermined range when the user alternately raises and lowers both feet, a recess formed in the arcuate portion of the main body, and a protrusion that fits into the recess, the main body being made of wood, and the contact surface of the protrusion on the side where the protrusion comes into contact with the recess being made of plastic resin.

[0008] The convex member incorporated in the exercise equipment of the present invention is a convex member incorporated in an exercise equipment in which a user places both feet on a main body part that is rotatably arranged on a base part, and in this state moves both feet up and down alternately to rotate the main body part over a predetermined range, the convex member being fitted into a recess formed in the main body part when attached to the base part, and the convex member side contact surface that contacts the recess part is made of plastic resin. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the scraping noise that occurs when a user performs a jiggling exercise. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a schematic exploded perspective view of an exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of an exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] (a) A-A' cross-sectional view of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1; (b) B-B' cross-sectional view of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1; (c) C-C' cross-sectional view of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1; (d) D-D' cross-sectional view of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are schematic partial cross-sectional views of a base portion and a convex member constituting an exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a convex member constituting the exercise equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of how to use the exercise equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The configuration of an exercise machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. Fig. 2(a), (b), (c), and (d) are cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A', B-B', C-C', and D-D' shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of a base portion 2 and a cross-sectional view of a protruding member 3, which will be described later.

[0012] The exercise machine 1 is used for the exercise or movement of the user's feet by alternately moving them up and down in small increments starting from the heels, i.e., for the movement (jiggling) of the user's feet, and is composed of a base section 2, a convex member 3 (convex section), and a main body section 4. The base section 2 and the main body section 4 are made of wood such as cedar or rubber wood. The convex member 3 is made of smooth plastic resin such as polypropylene. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the main body section 4 is referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis in the horizontal plane is referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane is referred to as the Z-axis direction.

[0013] The base part 2 is a rectangular plate-like member placed on a floor surface F (FIG. 6). A recess (base part side recess) 5 of a size corresponding to the protruding member 3 is formed on the top surface 2a side, which is the first surface of the base part 2. The protruding member 3 is attached to the base part 2 by inserting the lower side of the protruding member 3 into the recess 5.

[0014] 3(a), the base portion 2 is formed with a plurality of (here, two) holes 6 penetrating from the lower surface 2b of the base portion 2 to the bottom surface 5a of the recess 5. Into the holes 6, fastening members 7 (FIG. 3(b)) such as screws used for fixing the convex member 3 to the base portion 2 are screwed.

[0015] 1 to 3, the convex member 3 is formed into an arc shape (semicircular shape) when viewed from the front by cutting a cylindrical member in a direction perpendicular to the smooth surface. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the convex member 3 as viewed from below. In Figs. 3 and 4, the convex member 3 is composed of a first wall portion 8 and a second wall portion 9 having an area extending in the in-plane direction. The first wall portion 8 and the second wall portion 9 face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0016] The first wall portion 8 and the second wall portion 9 are connected via a curved surface portion 10. The first wall portion 8, the second wall portion 9, and the curved surface portion 10 are each made of plastic resin with a smooth surface.

[0017] The lower surface 3a side (bottom surface side) of the convex member 3, which is the side to be inserted into the recess 5 of the base portion 2, is open. That is, the convex member 3 has an internal space 11 (hollow portion) surrounded by a first wall portion 8, a second wall portion 9, and a curved surface portion 10.

[0018] A first thick portion 12 and a second thick portion 13 are provided on both sides of the lower surface 3a of the convex member 3 at positions that separate both sides of the internal space. In this embodiment, the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13 are formed at both ends of the curved surface portion 10, but they may be formed on the first wall portion 8 or the second wall portion 9, or may be joined to these. When the convex member 3 is inserted to the deepest position in the recess 5 of the base portion 2, the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13 contact the bottom surface 5a of the recess 5 (FIG. 3(b)).

[0019] In FIG. 3(a), holes 14 and 15 are formed in the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13, respectively. One end of the holes 14 and 15 opens from the lower surface 3a of the protruding member 3, and the other end has a bottom. When the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13 are in contact with the bottom surface 5a of the recess 5, the hole 6 formed in the base portion 2 communicates with the holes 14 and 15 formed in the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13, respectively. From this state, the fastening member 7 is screwed into the holes 6 and 14 (15) from the lower surface 2b side of the base portion 2, whereby the protruding member 3 is firmly fixed to the base portion 2. That is, the fastening member 7 is screwed into the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13 via the base portion 2.

[0020] In the internal space 11 of the convex member 3, a plurality of plate members 16 are provided in the vertical direction at a predetermined interval. One end of the plate member 16 in the longitudinal direction is joined to the curved surface portion 10, and the other end of the plate member 16 is located at the same level as the lower ends of the first wall portion 8 and the second wall portion 9 (in other words, the lower surface 3a of the convex member 3). In FIG. 4, both ends of the plate member 16 in the width direction are joined to the first wall portion 8 and the second wall portion 9. The plurality of plate members 16 function as reinforcing portions for reinforcing the convex member 3, and are installed on the first wall portion 8 and the second wall portion 9. The plurality of plate members 16 are located between the first thick portion 12 and the second thick portion 13. The number of thick portions formed in the convex member 3 may be one.

[0021] The main body 4 is a rotating body that rotates over a predetermined range on the base 2, and is formed into an arc shape (semicircular shape) when viewed from the front by, for example, cutting a cylindrical member in a direction perpendicular to the smooth surface. As a result, the cut surface of the main body 4 is a smooth surface 4a, and an arc portion 4b is formed along the circumferential direction of the main body 4 excluding the smooth surface 4a.

[0022] 2(a), the main body 4 has a recess (main body-side recess) 17 formed over a predetermined range by partially removing the arc portion 4b (curved surface). In detail, the recess 17 is formed by partially removing the arc portion 4b (curved surface) starting from the apex T along the circumferential direction. The inner wall 17a of the main body 4 that forms the recess 17 is made "rough" by, for example, surface roughening.

[0023] The recess 17 has a size capable of accommodating the portion of the protruding member 3 exposed from the base portion 2. In other words, most of the curved surface portion 10 is covered by the inner wall 17a forming the recess 17. In a state in which the protruding member 3 attached to the base portion 2 is fitted (accommodated) in the recess 17 of the main body portion 4 in FIG. 2(d), a clearance (play) of a predetermined width is generated between the upper surface of the curved surface portion 10 of the protruding member 3 and the inner wall 17a forming the recess 17 of the main body portion 4.

[0024] 5, the widthwise length s1 of the recess 17 is set to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the widthwise length s2 of the convex member 3. Moreover, the longitudinal length s3 of the recess 17 is set to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the longitudinal length s4 of the convex member 3. Therefore, when the main body 4 is fitted into the convex member 3 via the recess 17, movement of the main body 4 in the horizontal plane (the XY directions shown in FIG. 1) is restricted.

[0025] When the main body 4 is fitted into the convex member 3 via the concave portion 17, the main body 4 is supported to be rotatable over a predetermined range along the arc portion (curved surface) 4b relative to the base 2 and the convex member 3 (arrow a shown in FIG. 2(d)). The surfaces of the first wall 8, the second wall 9, and the curved surface portion 10 each serve as a convex-side contact surface that contacts the concave portion 17 (inner wall 17a). The inner wall 17a that forms the concave portion 17 serves as a concave-side contact surface that contacts the convex member 3.

[0026] The smooth surface 4a of the main body 4 is a placement portion on which the user's feet L1, L2 (FIG. 6) are placed. Note that a non-slip member such as a rubber sheet may be provided at a position on the smooth surface 4a where the user's feet L1, L2 come into contact, or multiple grooves may be formed on the smooth surface.

[0027] The exercise tool 1 in this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of how to use the exercise tool 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the user places the exercise tool 1 on the floor surface F. Note that the basic position of the exercise tool 1 before starting jiggling is when the apex T of the arcuate portion 4b of the main body 4 (FIG. 2(a)) is closest to the base portion 2, in other words, the smooth surface 4a is in a horizontal position (FIG. 2(d)).

[0028] Next, the user places one foot L1 and the other foot L2 on either side of the smooth surface 4a (placement portion). Next, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the user moves one foot L1 downward from the heel side, causing the main body 4 to rotate in the direction of arrow b while maintaining the engagement between the recess 17 and the protruding member 3, and the other foot L2 to move upward.

[0029] 6(b), when the user moves the other foot L2 downward from the heel side, the main body 4 rotates in the direction of arrow c while maintaining the engagement between the recess 17 and the convex member 3, and the one foot L1 moves upward. Then, when the user moves the one foot L1 and the other foot L2 up and down in short alternating movements (jiggling), the main body 4 rotates reciprocally (arrow b → arrow c → arrow b → arrow c...).

[0030] When the main body 4 rotates, the convex members 3 come into contact with the edges E1, E2 of the recess 17, restricting movement of the main body 4 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Movement of the main body 4 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) is also restricted by the main body 4 coming into contact with the convex members 3 as described above. That is, according to the exercise tool 1 of this embodiment, movement of the main body 4 in the XY directions (directions within the horizontal plane) during jiggling is restricted.

[0031] In addition, when a user uses the exercise apparatus 1 to perform a jiggling exercise, the convex member 3 and the inner wall 17a forming the recess 17 of the main body 4 come into contact with each other. For example, the first wall 8 and the second wall 9 constituting the convex member 3 have an area that extends in the in-plane direction, and therefore, there may be a case where they rub against the inner wall 17a while in surface contact.

[0032] In conventional exercise equipment, the parts corresponding to the main body 4 and the protruding member 3 are made of wood with a "rough" surface, which causes a loud "rubbing noise" when these parts come into contact (surface contact), and it is necessary to be considerate of the surroundings when using the exercise equipment 1 in terms of sound leakage. In contrast, according to the exercise equipment 1 of this embodiment, the contact surface on the protruding side where the protruding member 3 comes into contact with the main body 4 (the inner wall 17a forming the recess 17) is made of smooth plastic resin, which reduces the "rubbing noise."

[0033] The exercise equipment 1 in the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the design can be modified within the scope of the invention. For example, a sheet member made of a smooth plastic resin may be attached to the surface of the convex member 3 (first wall portion 8, second wall portion 9, curved portion 10). In such a case, the surface of the sheet member becomes the convex side contact surface. In addition, the inner wall 17a (recess side contact surface) may be formed of a smooth plastic resin, or a sheet member made of a plastic resin may be attached to the inner wall 17a (in such a case, the convex member 3 may be made of wood). Furthermore, both the convex side contact surface and the recess side contact surface may be formed of a smooth plastic resin.

[0034] That is, the exercise equipment 1 in this embodiment includes a main body 4 having an arc portion 4b and rotated over a predetermined range by the user moving both feet up and down alternately, a recess 17 formed in the arc portion 4b of the main body 4, and a protruding member 3 (protruding portion) fitted into the recess 17, the main body 4 being made of wood, and the recess side contact surface where the recess 17 contacts the protruding member 3 and / or the protruding portion side contact surface where the protruding member 3 contacts the recess 17 being made of plastic resin. The protruding member 3 incorporated in the exercise equipment 1 in this embodiment is a protruding member 3 incorporated in the exercise equipment 1 in which the user places both feet L1, L2 on the main body 4 provided rotatably on the base 2, and in this state, the main body 4 is rotated over a predetermined range by the user moving both feet L1, L2 up and down alternately, the protruding member 3 is fitted into the recess 17 formed in the main body 4 when attached to the base 2, and the protruding portion side contact surface where the protruding member 3 contacts the recess 17 is made of plastic resin. Furthermore, the method of attaching the convex member 3 to the base portion 2 in this embodiment is a method of attaching the convex member 3 to the base portion 2 in the exercise equipment 1 in which the user places both feet L1, L2 on the main body portion 4 which is fitted with the convex member 3 attached to the base portion 2, and in this state, moves both feet L1, L2 up and down alternately to rotate the main body portion 4 over a predetermined range, the convex member 3 is made of plastic resin, the main body portion is made of wood, a recess 5 is formed in the base portion 2 into which the convex member 3 is attached, the convex member 3 is provided with thick portions (first thick portion 12, second thick portion 13), and with the convex member 3 attached to the base portion 2, the base portion 2 and the thick portions are fastened together by the fastening member 7. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] The present invention can reduce the friction noise that occurs when a user performs jiggling exercises, and is particularly useful as a tool to alleviate lack of exercise in various facilities (including outdoor facilities), including private homes, offices, and elderly care facilities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 exercise equipment 2 Base 3 Convex member 4 Main body 5. Recess 4b Arc section 7 Fastening members 8 First wall 9 Second wall 11. Interior Space 12 First thick section 13 Second thick section 16 Plate members 17 Recess

Claims

1. a main body having an arcuate portion and rotatable over a predetermined range when a user alternately moves both feet up and down; a recess formed in the arc portion of the main body; a protrusion that is fitted into the recess, The body is made of wood, The exercise equipment, wherein a contact surface of the protrusion side where the protrusion comes into contact with the recess is made of plastic resin.

2. The exercise equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has a hollow portion, and a reinforcing portion is provided in the hollow portion.

3. the protrusion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion opposed to the first wall portion at a predetermined interval, The exercise equipment according to claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing portion is composed of a plurality of plate members arranged across the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

4. Further comprising a base portion to which the protrusion is attached, The hollow portion of the protrusion is provided with a thick portion, The protrusion is fitted into a recess formed in the base, The exercise equipment according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a fastening member is fastened to the thick portion via the base portion.

5. Further comprising a base portion to which the protrusion is attached, a first thick portion and a second thick portion are formed on both sides of the hollow portion in a longitudinal direction; A portion of the protrusion is fitted into a recess formed in the base portion, 4. The exercise equipment according to claim 2, wherein a fastening member is fastened to each of the first thick portion and the second thick portion via the base portion.

6. The exercise device according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of plate members are located between the first thick portion and the second thick portion.

7. A convex member to be incorporated in an exercise machine, in which a user places both feet on a main body provided rotatably on a base, and in this state, the user moves both feet up and down alternately to rotate the main body over a predetermined range, The protruding member is fitted into a recess formed in the main body portion when the protruding member is attached to the base portion, A convex member to be incorporated in an exercise implement, wherein a convex-side contact surface of the convex member that comes into contact with the concave portion is made of plastic resin.

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