Training equipment

Abstract

The training device (1) for stimulating the back muscles associated with a person's spine comprises two rows of shaped bodies (2) extending next to each other in the longitudinal direction (L) and not offset relative to each other, said shaped bodies being connected to each other via connecting portions (3) and projecting away from a reference plane (4) extending through the connecting portions (3). Each of the shaped bodies (2) has at least one support area (10) in the form of a support point or support surface intended to stimulate the back muscles, and the shaped bodies (2) of one row form a shaped body pair (P) together with an adjacent associated shaped body (2) of the other row, and the shaped bodies (2) of the shaped body pair (P) form a gap within which a portion of the spine can be accommodated in the longitudinal direction (L) of the row. The shaped bodies (2) and the connecting portions (3) are monolithically formed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a training device for stimulating the back muscles associated with the human spine, which comprises two rows of moldings extending adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction and which are not offset from one another, the moldings being connected to one another via connecting parts and projecting away from a reference plane extending through the connecting parts, each of the moldings having at least one support area designed as a support point or support surface for stimulating the back muscles, on which a body part surrounding the back muscles can rest, the moldings of one row forming each molding pair together with an adjacent assigned molding of the other row perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the moldings of the molding pair forming a gap, and the spinal part can be accommodated in this gap in the longitudinal direction of the rows between the moldings of the two rows assigned to one another. The molded body projects on both sides, especially symmetrically, away from the reference plane. do. [Background technology]

[0002] Training devices for stimulating or training the back muscles are already known from US Pat. No. 5,623,999 and US Pat. No. 5,623,999.

[0003] Such training devices generally consist of two parallel rows of air-filled balls, approximately the size of tennis balls, connected to each other via a carrier element, e.g. a hose-like bag made of a textile material.

[0004] During training, the training device is placed under the back of a recumbent person, so that the rows of balls are positioned on either side of the spine. Ideally, the training device extends from the back of the person being trained to the sacrum. When a specific exercise is performed, the balls press against the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that run along both sides of the spine, thereby stimulating or stretching the spine.

[0005] During training using such training equipment, spinal structures and back muscles can be better differentiated. Additionally, the training device assists in mobilizing the facet joints when performing certain exercises. Such training devices also provide a massage function to the soft tissues of the back muscles.

[0006] A disadvantage of the training devices known from the prior art is their complex design, since they consist of individual balls connected to one another via carrier elements. For example, the carrier elements consist of hose-like fabric pouches in which the balls are housed and sewn. Such training devices require numerous operating steps in their manufacture. In addition, the positions of the balls connected to one another via the carrier elements may change relative to one another during training or over time, which may result in a decrease in the quality of the training and even negative training effects.

[0007] Additionally, cleaning conventional training equipment is difficult due to the hard-to-access cracks, gaps, and inner edges that form between the individual elements of the training device, for example, in the areas of the assembly seams. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model No. DE202017000077U1 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. WO2019 / 028533A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The object of the present invention is to make available a training device of the above-mentioned type which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular a training device which can be manufactured in an uncomplicated manner, which can be easily and thoroughly cleaned and which has high dimensional stability over time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a training device having the features of claim 1.

[0011] Preferred and advantageous aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the invention, it is provided that the molding and the connecting part are monolithically formed, i.e. integrally formed, so that the molding and the connecting part are produced essentially in a single operation step and do not have to be connected to each other in time-consuming rework.

[0013] Because the molding is integrally formed with the connecting portion, the molding is seamlessly connected to the connecting portion, and therefore the training device does not have cracks, seams, or connection points that can collect dirt, making it easier and more thoroughly cleaned than conventional training devices.

[0014] During training and throughout its entire service life, the training device according to the invention has high dimensional stability, since the position of the shaped bodies relative to one another essentially does not or can only change very little due to the optionally provided elasticity of the connecting parts, which makes highly accurate and error-free training permanently possible.

[0015] The connecting portion preferably has a web-like shape and may also be referred to within the framework of the present invention as a connecting web.

[0016] The connecting part of the training device according to the invention is preferably essentially flat, i.e. flat against the shaped body. However, in the boundary region between the connecting part and the shaped body, the connecting part may have increased strength in some places due to the curved edges, which is advantageous in shaping techniques.

[0017] Within the framework of the present invention, an imaginary plane extending essentially centrally through the connecting part is considered to be the reference plane, which may also have a curvature, for example when the connecting part is flexible. The shaped bodies preferably start from the reference plane and taper to the support area, so that they are wider or larger in the area adjacent to the connecting part than in the peripheral support area separated from and projecting from the connecting part. The shaped bodies may be tapered to the point that projects most from the reference plane, for example if the shaped bodies have a spherical or pyramidal shape, in which case the support area Within the framework of the present invention, it is also possible for the shaped body to have several support regions, i.e. several support regions separated from a reference surface, which have essentially the same width.

[0018] Within the framework of the present invention, it is provided that the training device has two rows of moldings. However, embodiments with more than two rows of moldings, i.e., embodiments with additional rows of moldings in addition to the two rows, also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. In such embodiments, the training device according to the invention in particular has a certain number of rows, for example 4, 6, 8 or more than 8 rows.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, each row has at least two, preferably at least eight, moldings. The training device can have, for example, 10, 12, 14, 16, or more than 16 moldings per row. The number of moldings is preferably adapted to the number of cervical or dorsal vertebrae in a human, so that the training device extends from the cervical region to the sacral region of a recumbent person.

[0020] Within the framework of the present invention, the molded body is By your side stand out do.In embodiments in which the shaped body protrudes away from the reference surface on both sides, the reference surface preferably extends through the center of the shaped body, so that the shaped body is formed symmetrically with respect to the reference surface and protrudes away from the reference surface symmetrically. These bilateral embodiments ensure that the massage device can be used on either side, and thanks to the bilateral support points, the person using the training device no longer needs to pay attention to which side faces the back. Furthermore, the shaped body is supported at a specific point on the support. As a result, practical, particularly advantageous flexibility and deformability are provided, thus ensuring that the shaped body can move more flexibly relative to each other. This also ensures that the training device can be molded to the individual structure of the person's spine and musculature. The lever action between the support points and the support and the reference surface makes this possible. Due to this lever action, the training device must be one piece. Using a flat support surface or even a tennis ball would not allow this.

[0021] In particular, within the framework of the present invention, the embodiment in which the shaped body is spherical, essentially ball-shaped and designed to protrude from the reference plane on both sides is preferred, making the training device formed in this way particularly versatile since it can be used on both sides.

[0022] However, within the framework of the present invention, the shaped body can also be designed to be essentially hemispherical and to protrude on one side from the reference surface, in which case the flat connecting part, together with the substantially flat bottom of the shaped body on the side from which the shaped body does not protrude, forms a substantially flat support surface, so that the training device can be placed in a particularly stable manner on a flat base.

[0023] A better effect is also achieved if the shaped body projects on both sides away from the reference surface, but has a straight support surface on the side facing away from the body in the operating position, rather than being rounded. In this case, the shaped body may be partly spherical or approximately pyramidal.

[0024] A preferred embodiment is one in which the molded bodies are arranged in any row without any offset next to the molded bodies of the adjacent row. This means that the adjacent molded bodies are arranged in two rows that are directly behind each other and not offset from each other when viewed from the side. Thus, each molded body is only located near the individual molded bodies of the adjacent row, but is spaced apart from the other molded bodies of the adjacent row. The rows can also be referred to as being essentially symmetrically or parallelly arranged. Such an arrangement of the molded bodies is particularly advantageous because muscles, ligaments, and tendons are also generally symmetrically arranged on both sides of the spine.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each molded body is connected to an adjacent molded body or adjacent molded bodies in the same row via one connecting portion, and / or the molded bodies of each molded body pair are each connected via one connecting portion, and / or each molded body of each molded body pair is connected via one connecting portion to one molded body in the other row of the adjacent molded body pair or to multiple molded bodies in the other row of the adjacent molded body pair. These methods of arranging the connecting portions are not exclusive and can be carried out simultaneously, and the connecting portions can merge seamlessly with each other or can be connected to each other.

[0026] As the connecting part, two-dimensional or one-dimensional connecting places such as connecting surface or connecting point are also considered to be within the framework of the present invention.For example, the shaped bodies can be directly connected to each other, so that the connecting part on the connecting surface extending between the shaped bodies is reduced.If the shaped bodies are only connected to each other at points, the connecting point or point-like connecting surface between the shaped bodies is considered to be the connecting part within the framework of the present invention.

[0027] Within the framework of the present invention, further developments are also conceivable in which the connecting portions seamlessly transition into one another, so that individual common connecting elements are thus formed. Such common connecting elements can, for example, each have a through-opening in the region between two consecutive molded bodies in one row and a molded body of an adjacent row arranged adjacent to these molded bodies. As a result, a particularly stable connection of the molded bodies can be ensured, and at the same time, material can be saved, so that the training device is lighter and easier to handle. Where connecting portions are mentioned in this description of the present invention, these statements also apply to the individual common connecting elements. In particular, the individual common connecting elements can have all the features of the connecting portions described within the framework of the present invention.

[0028] In a particularly advantageous manner, it is provided that the connecting part and the molding thus formed integrally have a closed-pore outer layer, such a training device being easier to clean and more durable.

[0029] The present invention According to , molded body and connecting part is elastically deformable Made from plastic do. It is particularly preferred if an elastically or highly elastically deformable plastic is used, at least in the areas where smaller thicknesses are used, so that a training device can be produced which, despite being somewhat bendable in the area of ​​the connections, retains high dimensional stability during training.

[0030] The moldings and the connecting parts preferably consist of thermoplastic polymers, silicones, or natural or synthetic rubbers. The moldings and the connecting parts particularly preferably consist of PUR (polyurethane) monolithic foams.

[0031] In particular, it is provided within the framework of the present invention that the moldings and the connecting parts are foamed, injection molded or integrally molded. It is particularly preferred that the moldings and the connecting parts are produced using the RIM (reaction injection molding) or RRIM (reinforced reaction injection molding) method. These manufacturing methods allow for the simple production of high-quality training devices according to the invention with a large number of units.

[0032] Within the framework of the present invention, it may be provided that the molded body has one or several hollow spaces inside. The presence of hollow spaces saves material, and therefore costs and weight. Within the framework of the present invention, it is also conceivable that the hollow spaces of the molded body are connected via hollow spaces formed in the connecting parts, or, if the connecting parts form individual common connecting elements, via hollow spaces formed in the connecting elements.

[0033] Within the framework of the present invention, embodiments in which the shaped bodies do not have any hollow spaces but are embodied as solid over their entire volume are of course also possible, as these can be produced particularly easily.

[0034] In embodiments having a hollow space, the hollow space can be filled with a filler material, preferably a gas, e.g., air, a liquid, a granular material, or a solid. As a result, a lightweight or elastically resilient training device can be manufactured that has an appropriate size, acceptable weight, and high dimensional stability, and whose outer layer is as smooth and resilient as possible. The hollow space is particularly preferably filled with a foamed plastic, preferably polyurethane. Depending on the desired "hardness" of the training device, the filler material can be foamed to a higher or lower degree and thus have larger or smaller pores or gas inclusions. Such plastics used as fillers can be compressed to various levels of strength depending on the pore size or their material properties, and as a result, training devices of various "hardness" or resilience can be manufactured within the framework of the present invention.

[0035] Within the framework of the present invention, it may be provided in particular that the filler material has a lower density than the material of the shaped body, in particular that the material of the shaped body is closed pore and the filler material has gas inclusions or is more open pore than the material of the shaped body.

[0036] Within the framework of the present invention, training devices can also be designed in which the molded bodies have hollow spaces, at least two of which are filled with a material different from the other hollow spaces, such that the molded bodies have different strength, elasticity, and spring properties depending on the region of the spine where they are placed during use.

[0037] It is particularly preferable for the distance between the molds in each pair to be 30 mm to 100 mm, particularly 40 to 80 mm, and preferably 45 to 65 mm. This ensures sufficient space to accommodate the vertebrae of the spine of the person being trained with the training device. If the distance between the molds is smaller, the vertebrae will not have enough space between the molds because the patient's spinal processes will be facing backward toward the training device. If the distance between the molds is larger, the spine will not be adequately supported, and the muscles engaging the spine will not be stimulated within the area of ​​their contact points on the spine. In either case, the training will be uncomfortable for the person being trained with the training device, and the training effect will be significantly reduced.

[0038] The distance between adjacent moldings in each row is preferably 30 mm to 100 mm, in particular 40 to 80 mm, preferably 45 to 65 mm, so that there is sufficient space between the moldings to accommodate the vertical extension of the vertebrae, making training as comfortable and effective as possible.

[0039] Within the framework of the present invention, the molded bodies can each have at least one support area, i.e., they can have at least one support area that protrudes away from the connecting part on both sides ("above and below") or on one side ("only above") of the connecting part. Within the framework of the present invention, the molded bodies can have one or two or more protrusions, each of which forms a support area.

[0040] Within the framework of the present invention, the expression "at least one moiety" is defined as there can be one moiety or two moieties or more than two moieties.

[0041] Further details, features and advantages of the invention are given in the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic top view of a training device according to the invention, in which the shaped body and connecting portion arranged according to a first embodiment are shown as separate, partially overlapping bodies. [Figure 2] 2 shows a schematic top view of the training device according to FIG. 1, in which the shaped body and the connecting part are shown connected to each other, but there are no exposed edges. [Figure 3-8] 3 shows further schematic top views of FIGS. 1 and 2 of three further embodiments of the training device according to the invention, each having differently arranged connecting parts, in each case the shaped body and the connecting parts shown separated and connected. [Figure 9] 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a training device according to the present invention, where the connecting portions merge seamlessly into one another to form individual common connecting elements. [Figure 10] 10 shows a side view of a training device according to the invention according to FIG. 9, the shaped body of the training device being shown as a partial cutaway along the angled cross section XX. [Figure 11]10 shows a top view of a training device according to the invention according to another embodiment, having a common connection element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] 1 to 8 show highly schematic top views of a training device 1 according to the invention, which has two rows of adjacently arranged shaped bodies 2, which in the illustrated embodiment are spherical. The rows extend in a longitudinal direction L.

[0044] In each case, a formed body 2 of one row is assigned to a non-offset adjacent formed body 2 of the other row, so that these two formed bodies 2 form a formed body pair P.

[0045] The shaped bodies 2 are connected to one another via flat connecting portions 3 with which they are monolithically or integrally formed.

[0046] 1 to 8, only four shaped bodies 2 are shown in each row. However, this means that this number of shaped bodies 2 is intended only as an example. The training device 1 according to the invention preferably has more than four shaped bodies 2 per row, for example 6 to 14 shaped bodies 2.

[0047] In Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7, the molding 2 and the connecting portion 3 are each shown as separate bodies that overlap in certain areas to ensure a deeper understanding, while in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8 they are shown connected to each other.

[0048] 1 and 2 show a first embodiment in which the shaped bodies 2 are separated from one another, thereby forming gaps, and each shaped body 2 is connected to an adjacent shaped body 2 (single) in the same row (in the case of a shaped body 2 arranged at one end of the training device 1) or to adjacent shaped bodies 2 (plural) and to each assigned shaped body 2 of the same shaped body pair P, each via one connecting part 3.

[0049] 3 and 4 show additional possible embodiments of the training device 1 according to the present invention, in which the shaped bodies 2 are separated from each other and each shaped body 2 is connected to a shaped body 2 (single) in the other row of the adjacent shaped body pair P (in the case of a shaped body 2 arranged at one end of the training device 1) or to a shaped body 2 (multiple) in the other adjacent row of the adjacent shaped body pair P.

[0050] 5 and 6 show another possible embodiment of the training device 1 according to the invention, in which the shaped bodies 2 are directly adjacent, so that the diagrammatically shown connection portion 3 is reduced to a connection area that is barely distinguishable from the shaped bodies 2 or the connection surface extending between the shaped bodies 2.

[0051] 7 and 8 show yet another embodiment of the training device 1 according to the invention, in which the shaped bodies 2 are also directly adjacent. In this embodiment, the connecting portions 3, which are shown diagrammatically as crossing each other, extend seamlessly into each other, so that in each case the area enclosed by two adjacent shaped body pairs P is completely bridged by the connecting portion 3.

[0052] FIG. 9 shows another possible embodiment of the training device 1 according to the invention, in which the shaped bodies 2 are separated from one another and the connecting parts 3 merge seamlessly into one another, thus forming an individual common connecting element V.

[0053] Figure 10 shows the training device according to Figure 9 in a side view, and it can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment the rows of shaped bodies 2 run essentially parallel, so that two adjacent shaped bodies 2 assigned to each other from different rows forming a shaped body pair P are arranged directly behind each other when viewed from the side.

[0054] The reference surface 4 (from which the spherically shaped bodies 2 project symmetrically) extends centrally through the essentially flat connecting portion 3 or through the respective common connecting element V.

[0055] Between each of two adjacent molding pairs P, the common connecting element V has a through opening 5, or the connecting portions 3 extending relative to one another surround the through opening 5 in some places. These through openings 5 ​​are shown as circular in Figure 1, but may also be oval, square, star-shaped, or have other shapes.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, in many transition regions forming the transition between the common connection element V and the molded body 2, the flat common connection element V, or connection portion 3, is rounded on its outer edges, so that in these regions, curved edges 6 are formed facing the interior of the common connection element V. The training device 1 therefore does not have any sharp corners where dirt may collect or whose presence may adversely affect the manufacture (e.g., by molding) of the training device 1. However, within the framework of the present invention, embodiments with fewer, more, smaller, larger edges 6, or even no curved edges 6 are also conceivable.

[0057] In FIG. 10, one of the shaped bodies 2 is shown in a partially cutaway view, the cross section extending along the cross section XX depicted in FIG.

[0058] The cutaway view shows that in the illustrated embodiment of the training device 1 according to the invention, a hollow space 7 is formed in the shaped body 2. The hollow space 7 is filled with a porous material, which has properties different from the properties of the material from which the shaped body 2 and the connecting part 3 or common connecting element V are formed, and which forms a closed-porous outer layer 8.

[0059] In Figure 11 another possible embodiment of the training device 1 according to the invention is shown in top view, in which the training device 1 does not have through openings 5 ​​in the common connecting element V. In addition, each row consists of 10 shaped bodies 2 instead of the 7 shaped bodies 2 in Figures 9 and 10.

[0060] Figures 1 to 8 and 1 1 toIt will be understood that the molding 2 of the training device 1 according to the present invention may also have a hollow space 7 in which a filling material may or may not be contained. 1 of The sphere can be designed to be hemispherical.

[0061] The connecting portions 3 shown in Figures 1 to 4 can be made narrower than shown. In addition, the connecting portions 3 can be made wider than shown, and can be made to face each other in some places. It can be stretched seamlessly.

[0062] Each shaped body 2 has at least one area that is located further from the reference plane 4 than the other areas of the shaped body 2. Within the framework of the present invention, this area is referred to as the support area 10, since for this purpose it is suitable to act as a support for the body part of the person being trained that surrounds the spine and is also suitable for applying pressure to the spinal musculature of the person being trained with the training device 1. If the shaped bodies 2 protrude on both sides of the reference plane 4, each shaped body 2 can have, for example, two such support areas 10, so that the training device 1 has support sides on both sides for the body part of the person being trained.

[0063] The support area 10 can essentially have the shape of a point when the shaped body 2 gradually tapers away from the reference surface 4, as is the case for example in the case of a ball or pyramid shape. In the case of such a shaped body 2, the support area 10 is a support point.

[0064] A distance A is formed between the support areas 10 of the two shaped bodies 2 of the shaped body pair P, or between the support points or surface centers of gravity of the support areas 10. The distance A is large enough to form a space that can accommodate a portion of the spine of a person being trained with the training device 1 in the longitudinal direction L between the shaped bodies 2. Preferably, the distance A is 40 to 80 mm. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] Reference symbol list 1 Training equipment 2. Molded body 3 Connection part 4 Reference plane 5 Through opening 6 curved edge 7 Hollow space 8 outer layer 9 Support surface 10 Support area L Longitudinal direction P Compacted body pair V common connection element A: Distance between the support areas (support points) of a pair of compacts

Claims

1. A training device (1) for stimulating back muscles associated with the human spine, comprising two rows of shaped bodies (2) extending adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction (L), said shaped bodies being connected to each other via connecting portions (3) and projecting away from a reference plane (4) extending through said connecting portions (3), each of said shaped bodies (2) having at least one support area (10) designed as a support point or support surface for stimulating back muscles, wherein the shaped bodies (2) of one row are connected to an adjacent assigned shaped body of the other row perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. a training device (1) in which the shaping bodies (2) and the connecting parts (3) each form a shaping body pair (P), the shaping bodies (2) of the shaping body pair (P) forming a gap, so that the spine portions can be accommodated in the longitudinal direction (L) of the row, and the shaping bodies (2) protrude away from the reference plane (4) on both sides of the reference plane (4), characterized in that the shaping bodies (2) are monolithically formed together with the connecting parts (3), and the shaping bodies (2) and the connecting parts (3) are made of an elastically deformable plastic.

2. 2. Training device according to claim 1, wherein the two rows of shaped bodies (2) extending adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (L) are not offset with respect to each other.

3. 3. Training device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting part (3) has a web-like shape.

4. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each row has at least eight shaped bodies (2).

5. 5. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shaped bodies (2) project symmetrically on both sides away from the reference surface (4).

6. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shaped body (2) is a sphere.

7. 7. The training device according to claim 1, wherein each of the shaped bodies (2) is connected to one adjacent shaped body (2) or to several adjacent shaped bodies (2) in the same row via one connecting part (3).

8. 8. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bodies (2) of each body pair (P) are connected to each other via one connecting part (3).

9. 9. The training device according to claim 1, wherein each of the bodies (2) of each body pair (P) is connected via one connecting part (3) to one body (2) of the other row of the adjacent body pair (P) or to multiple bodies (2) of the other row of the adjacent body pair (P).

10. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connecting parts (3) seamlessly merge into one another so that individual common connecting elements (V) are formed.

11. 11. Training device according to claim 10, characterized in that the common connecting element (V) has a through opening (5) each in the area surrounded by two consecutive pairs of shaped bodies (P).

12. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the moulded body (2) and the connecting part (3) are made from a thermoplastic polymer, silicone or rubber.

13. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the shaped body (2) encloses inside one hollow space (7) or several hollow spaces (7).

14. 14. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the distance (A) between the support areas (10) or between the support points or surface centres of gravity of the support areas (10) of the bodies (2) of each body pair (P) is between 30 mm and 100 mm.

15. 15. Training device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the longitudinal distance between the support areas (10) or between the support points or surface centres of gravity of the support areas (10) of adjacent shaped bodies (2) on the inside of a row is between 30 mm and 100 m.

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