Sports equipment

Abstract

To provide an exercise machine that enables a user to comfortably and continuously perform various exercises that move the lower limbs other than stepping exercise, and further supports the promotion of health of the user. [Solution] An exercise device comprising a main body 1 whose bottom surface 1a is formed in a downwardly convex arc shape and configured to be able to swing and rotate horizontally relative to the ground surface, and a pair of foot rests 2 provided on either the left or right side of the top surface 1b of the main body 1, each foot rest 2 being provided so as to be able to rotate horizontally relative to the main body 1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine that allows exercisers to perform leg exercises such as stepping exercises while sitting on a chair, sofa, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of exercise equipment, for example, the equipment disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 (hereinafter referred to as "conventional examples") have been proposed.

[0003] In these conventional examples, the feet are placed on either side of the main body, the bottom of which is formed in an arc shape, and by stepping on them alternately, the main body oscillates against the ground surface, allowing the stepping motion to be performed mechanically and continuously. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-73597 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7016530 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7307982 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to conduct further research and development into this type of exercise equipment, and to provide a revolutionary exercise device that allows users to comfortably and continuously perform a variety of lower limb exercises, in addition to stepping exercises, and that will further help promote their health. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0007] The exercise equipment includes a main body 1 whose bottom surface 1a is formed in a downwardly convex arc shape and is configured to be able to swing and rotate horizontally relative to the ground surface, and a pair of foot rests 2 provided on both the left and right sides of an upper surface 1b of the main body 1, each of the foot rests 2 being provided so as to be able to rotate horizontally relative to the main body 1.

[0008] The present invention also relates to an exercise equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that each foot rest 2 is provided with a foot support wall 2a that prevents the foot from shifting left and right.

[0009] In addition, in the exercise equipment described in claim 2, the main body 1 and each of the foot rests 2 have a rotation mechanism 3 consisting of an axis portion 3a and a bearing portion 3b, and this rotation mechanism 3 allows each of the foot rests 2 to be freely rotatable relative to the main body 1.

[0010] The present invention also relates to an exercise machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each foot rest 2 is provided with a heating means 4 for warming the foot placed thereon, and the main body 1 is provided with a power supply means 5 for supplying power to the heating means 4.

[0011] In addition, in the exercise equipment described in claim 4, the power supply means 5 includes a generator motor 5a, and the generator motor 5a is configured to generate electricity when the main body 1 oscillates. Effect of the Invention

[0012] Because the present invention is configured as described above, in addition to stepping exercises, it allows the user to comfortably and continuously perform various lower limb exercises, making it an unprecedented, revolutionary exercise device that further helps promote the user's health. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view showing a rotation mechanism of the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a rotation mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply unit of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state of use of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the present embodiment is used. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the present embodiment is used. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the present embodiment is used. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing another example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be briefly described with reference to the drawings to illustrate the operation of the present invention.

[0015] In this device, a pair of foot rests 2 are provided on both the left and right sides of a main body 1 whose bottom surface 1a is formed in a downwardly convex arc shape and which is configured to be able to swing and rotate horizontally. By alternately stepping on the feet placed on each foot rest 2 and swinging the main body 1 left and right, the stepping motion can be performed mechanically and continuously.

[0016] Furthermore, in this device, each foot rest 2 on which the feet are placed is arranged to be freely rotatable horizontally relative to the main body 1, so that by alternately thrusting the feet placed on each foot rest 2 forward (moving the feet alternately back and forth) and rotating the main body 1 horizontally around the top of the arc-shaped bottom portion 1a as a fulcrum, it is possible to mechanically perform continuous exercises to move the knee joint, or by rotating the feet placed on each foot rest 2 horizontally in place, it is possible to mechanically perform continuous stretching exercises for the ankles and calves.

[0017] Furthermore, in the exercise of thrusting the feet forward alternately and rotating the main body 1 horizontally (the exercise that moves the knee joints), the orientation of each foot rest 2 does not change even when the main body 1 rotates horizontally, so the feet remain facing straight forward and only the main body 1 rotates horizontally. This means that no undue strain is placed on the legs, such as twisting, and even elderly people can continue to exercise safely and without difficulty.

[0018] In this way, the present invention is a revolutionary exercise device that allows users to comfortably and continuously perform a variety of lower limb exercises, rather than just the stepping exercises of conventional examples, thereby helping to promote the user's health. EXAMPLES

[0019] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] This embodiment is an exercise machine with which the user can perform stepping exercises while sitting on a chair, and includes a main body 1 having a bottom surface 1a formed in a downwardly convex arc shape that is capable of swinging and horizontally rotating relative to the ground surface, and a pair of foot rests 2 provided on the left and right sides of the main body 1, and each foot rest 2 is attached to the main body via an axis 3 so as to be freely rotatable horizontally.

[0021] Each component of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the main body 1 has a bottom surface 1a formed in an arc shape that convex downwards, and an upper surface 1b located above this bottom surface 1a is formed on a horizontal plane, with the shape when viewed from above being a rectangle that is elongated in the left-right direction, and the shape when viewed from the front being a shape surrounded by an arc and a chord.

[0023] Specifically, the main body 1 is a solid wooden body in which the bottom portion 1a and the bottom portion 1a are integrally molded, and the length (the longitudinal length of the top portion 1b) is set to 350 mm to 450 mm (390 mm in this embodiment), the width (the transverse length of the top portion 1b) is set to 90 mm to 110 mm (100 mm in this embodiment), the height is set to 80 mm to 100 mm (90 mm in this embodiment), and the arc radius of the bottom portion 1a is set to 400 mm to 600 mm (approximately 500 mm in this embodiment).

[0024] The main body 1 is not limited to being made of wood, but may be made of plastic resin, silicone rubber, metal, paper, or other suitable materials, and the design may be modified accordingly.

[0025] Furthermore, the main body 1 is not limited to being integrally formed with the bottom surface portion 1a and the top surface portion 1b, but may be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, in which a flat plate-shaped material longer than the flat top surface portion 1b is elastically deformed into an arc shape to fit into the flat top surface portion 1b to form the bottom surface portion 1a, or in which a bottom surface portion previously formed into an arc shape is attached to the flat top surface portion (not shown).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, each foot rest 2 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape and is provided on both left and right (longitudinal) ends of the upper surface 1b of the main body 1 so as to be rotatable and detachable relative to the main body 1.

[0027] Specifically, each foot rest 2 has a length (length in the front-rear direction) of 100 mm to 130 mm and a width (length in the left-right direction) of 100 mm to 130 mm (including the foot-receiving wall portion 2a described later), and is rotatably and detachably provided to the main body 1 by the rotating mechanism 3. The shape and size of each foot rest 2 can be appropriately modified as long as the user's feet can be placed thereon and the foot cannot fall off the foot-receiving wall portion 2a.

[0028] The pivoting mechanism 3 is composed of an axle portion 3a and a bearing portion 3b. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the axle portion 3a is provided on each foot rest portion 2, and the bearing portions 3b are provided on both the left and right sides of the upper surface portion 1b of the main body 1.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, a ball bearing (a single-direction thrust ball bearing is used in this embodiment) is used as the bearing portion 3b. The bearing portion 3b is not limited to this embodiment, and may be, for example, a bearing hole that simply engages with the shaft portion. Also, the shaft portion 3a may be provided on the main body 1, and the bearing portion 3b may be provided on each foot rest portion 2.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, each foot rest 2 is provided with a foot receiving wall 2a for preventing the foot from shifting in the left-right direction.

[0031] The foot-receiving walls 2a are formed in an arch shape with a wall height gradually increasing from both ends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) toward the center, and are provided along both left and right side edges of the foot-rest portion 2.

[0032] In this embodiment, the foot rest 2 and the foot receiving wall 2a are made of wood, and the foot receiving wall 2a is integrally formed with the foot rest 2.

[0033] In this embodiment, each foot rest 2 is provided with a heating means 4 for warming the feet placed thereon, and the main body 1 is provided with a power supply means 5 for supplying power to the heating means 4.

[0034] Specifically, the heating means 4 is a Peltier element, and as shown in the figure, is embedded in the surface side of each foot rest 2. The arrangement of the heating means 4 is not limited to being embedded, and it may be configured to be arranged in an exposed state on the surface of each foot rest 2. When provided in an exposed state on the surface, for example, the heating means 4 (Peltier element) may be configured to be reversible, so that by reversing the front and back, the heating means 4 can be changed from a means for warming the feet to a means for cooling the feet.

[0035] Furthermore, the heating means 4 is not limited to a Peltier element, and any suitable heating element (such as an electric heater) that generates heat when powered can be used.

[0036] Further, the power supply means 5 that supplies power to the heating means 4 includes a power generating motor 5a, and this power generating motor 5a is configured to generate power as the main body 1 swings.

[0037] In other words, the power supply means 5 is configured so that when the user performs a stepping motion by stepping alternately with the feet placed on each foot rest 2 against the main body 1, the main body 1 rocks, and this rocking of the main body 1 activates the generator motor 5a to generate electricity and supply power to the heating means 4.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the power supply means 5 includes a spring-type movable plate portion 5b, a first drive transmission portion 5c, a second drive transmission portion 5d, and a generator motor 5a. The oscillation of the main body 1 elastically deforms the spring portion 5e of the spring-type movable plate portion 5b, which in turn actuates the movable plate 5f, which in turn actuates the first drive transmission portion 5c that engages with the movable plate 5f, which in turn actuates the second drive transmission portion 5d that engages with the first drive transmission portion 5c, and which in turn actuates the generator motor 5a that engages with the second drive transmission portion 5d, thereby generating electricity.

[0039] The power supply means 5 may simply be a battery, or may be configured to use both the power generation motor 5a and a battery.

[0040] In addition to the above-mentioned heating means 4, a sensor may be provided on the foot placement section 2 and a display section may be provided on the main body 1, and biological information such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow rate, and amount of exercise may be obtained via the sensor, and the obtained biological information may be displayed on the display section or may be viewed on a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or mobile computer via wireless communication means.

[0041] The effects of the present embodiment configured as above will be described below.

[0042] In this embodiment, the bottom surface 1a of the main body 1 is formed in a downwardly convex arc shape and is configured to be able to sway and rotate horizontally. As a result, similar to the conventional example, a person can sit on a chair or sofa as shown in FIG. 5, and in a seated chair position, step alternately with their feet placed on each foot rest 2 as shown in FIG. 6, thereby swaying the main body 1 left and right, thereby mechanically performing a continuous foot-stepping motion.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each foot rest 2 on which the user places his / her feet is provided so as to be freely rotatable relative to the main body 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the user is in a seated position on the chair, the feet placed on each foot rest 2 are thrust forward alternately, and the main body 1 is rotated horizontally with the top (longitudinal center) of the arc-shaped bottom portion 1a as the fulcrum, whereby the exercise of moving the knee joint can be mechanically and continuously performed.

[0044] In this embodiment, as described above, the foot rests 2 are rotatably mounted relative to the main body 1. Therefore, even if the main body 1 is rotated horizontally, the orientation of each foot rest 2 does not change. Therefore, the feet can be moved forward and backward with the feet facing straight ahead. This prevents undue strain on the legs, such as twisting, and allows even elderly people to continue using the device safely and without strain.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each foot rest 2 is provided rotatably relative to the main body 1, so that in addition to the movement of the foot in the forward and backward directions described above, the foot placed on each foot rest 2 can be rotated horizontally in place as shown in FIG. 8 to mechanically and continuously perform ankle and calf stretching exercises (ankle twisting exercises).

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, since each foot rest 2 is provided with a heating means 4, during use, the user's feet are warmed, the constricted blood vessels in the toes are expanded, blood circulation is improved, and the warmed blood circulates throughout the body, thereby warming the entire body.

[0047] Moreover, in this embodiment, a generator motor 5a is used as the power supply means 5 that supplies power to the heating means 4, and the operation of this generator motor 5a is achieved by the oscillation of the main body 1, so that no power source is required and it can be used anytime, anywhere. Moreover, since heating is possible through exercise, a greater effect can be expected due to the synergistic effect of exercise and heating.

[0048] In addition to exercising the lower limbs by placing the feet on each foot rest 2 as described above, this embodiment can also be placed on a desk, the left and right arms (e.g., elbows) placed on each foot rest 2, and the left and right arms thrust forward alternately, and the main body 1 rotates horizontally with the top (longitudinal center) of the arc-shaped bottom portion 1a as the fulcrum, thereby mechanically performing continuous exercises to move the shoulders and shoulder blades, which is expected to have the effect of improving flexibility, such as expanding the range of motion of the shoulder joint and improving shoulder movement, loosening the surrounding muscles, and reducing stiff shoulders.

[0049] In addition, by removing each foot rest 2 and placing main body 1 with the flat top surface on a chair (a chair with a hard seat or a chair with a flat board set on the seat), sitting on it and swinging your hips from side to side, main body 1 is rotated horizontally with the top (longitudinal center) of arc-shaped bottom portion 1a as the fulcrum, which allows a so-called twisting exercise to be performed continuously mechanically, which makes it easier to burn fat around the abdomen and is expected to have the effect of slimming the waist.

[0050] In this way, this embodiment allows the user to perform a combination of exercises, such as stepping with both feet alternately (stepping exercise), moving both feet alternately back and forth, and twisting ankle exercises, all while sitting in a chair; and furthermore, it can also warm the feet, so that, for example, by using it when one is sitting for a long time in a small space such as an evacuation shelter or in a car during an earthquake, it can prevent the onset of economy class syndrome; it can also be used while doing office work or watching television, so that one can move one's feet on a daily basis, which provides muscle training and is also useful for preventing lifestyle-related diseases; and furthermore, since it can be used to exercise the arms and waist (abdomen) in addition to the feet (legs), it is an innovative exercise machine with excellent practicality that can be used in a variety of ways to suit the user's purposes.

[0051] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Main unit 1a Bottom part 1b Top part 2 Foot rest 2a Foot support wall 3 Rotation mechanism 3a Shaft 3b Bearing section 4 Heating means 5 Power supply means 5a Generator motor

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising: a main body having a bottom surface formed in a downwardly convex arc shape and configured to be able to oscillate and rotate horizontally relative to a ground surface; and a pair of foot rests provided on both the left and right sides of an upper surface of the main body, each of the foot rests being provided so as to be able to rotate horizontally relative to the main body.

2. 2. The exercise equipment according to claim 1, wherein each of said foot placement sections is provided with a foot support wall section for preventing the foot from shifting in the left-right direction when placed on said foot placement section.

3. 3. The exercise equipment according to claim 2, wherein the main body and each of the foot rests have a rotation mechanism composed of an axle and a bearing, and the rotation mechanism enables each of the foot rests to rotate freely relative to the main body.

4. The exercise equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each foot placement section is provided with a heating means for warming the feet placed thereon, and the main body is provided with a power supplying means for supplying power to the heating means.

5. 5. The exercise equipment according to claim 4, wherein the power supply means includes a generator motor, and the generator motor is configured to generate electricity when the main body swings.

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