Pressurizing tool and training device

Abstract

This pressurizing tool limits the blood flow of a body part of an exerciser by pressurization during muscular strength training. The pressuring tool comprises: a belt-like member which is wound in a longitudinal direction with respect to the body part; and a pressurizing unit which is provided on the belt-like member and is disposed on the body part as the belt-like member is wound around the body part, the pressurizing unit expanding as the internal space thereof is filled with externally supplied gas to compress the body part. The internal space of the pressurizing unit extends along the width direction of the belt-like member, and is partitioned into a plurality of parallel gas flow paths communicating with each other.

Description

Kaatsu Equipment and Training Devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a KAATSU device used to restrict blood flow in an athlete during strength training.

[0002] One example of strength training is a method in which the target body part is compressed, restricting blood flow primarily in the capillaries within the muscle, and applying stress to the muscle in a hypoxic state. This type of strength training, by restricting blood flow, slows down the activity of slow-twitch muscle fibers while activating fast-twitch muscle fibers, making it possible to achieve a high training effect with short, low-intensity exercise. Hereinafter, this type of strength training will be referred to as "blood flow restriction training."

[0003] Blood flow restriction training may involve the use of a band-shaped compression device, also known as a "cuff," which is wrapped around an exerciser's body part to restrict blood flow. Such compression devices typically have a band-shaped member and a compression section that is inflated by a gas such as air supplied from a pressure pump located at a distance from the exerciser via a flexible piping member such as a tube. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a cuff that has a configuration in which a rubber tube is inserted into a fabric tube.

[0004] JP 2013-138734 A

[0005] In order to restrict blood flow more reliably and increase the training effect, it is desirable that the above-mentioned KAATSU device be configured so that when the KAATSU unit is filled with gas, the athlete's body parts are compressed more effectively. However, there is still room for improvement in the KAATSU device in terms of increasing the compression performance of the KAATSU unit. After extensive research, the inventor of the present invention has succeeded in developing a KAATSU device with a different configuration from conventional ones that can apply compression more effectively.

[0006] The technology of the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] [First Form] The first form is provided as a compression device for restricting blood flow to a body part of an exerciser during muscle training by applying pressure. The compression device of the first form includes a band-shaped member wrapped longitudinally around the body part, and a compression section attached to the band-shaped member. The compression section is positioned on the body part by wrapping the band-shaped member around the body part, and expands when an externally supplied gas fills the internal space to compress the body part. The internal space of the compression section is divided into a plurality of parallel gas flow paths extending along the width direction of the band-shaped member and communicating with each other. According to the compression device of the first form, the plurality of gas flow paths along the width direction of the band-shaped member can improve gas distribution within the internal space of the compression section. Furthermore, according to the compression device of the first form, the gas flow path configuration of the compression section allows a large compression force to be applied to a continuous, wide area along the direction of blood flow in the body part of the exerciser. This allows for more effective compression of the body part of the exerciser.

[0008] [Second Mode] In the first mode, each of the plurality of gas flow channels may be configured so that, when filled with gas, the outer side opposite the body side faces the body part expands more than the body side facing the body part. According to the compression device of the second mode, when filled with gas, a force acts in the direction of longitudinal curling of the compression part with the body side facing inward, making it easier to wrap the compression part more closely around the body part of the exerciser. This makes it possible to apply compression to the body part of the exerciser more effectively.

[0009] [Third Mode] In the compression device described in the first or second mode, the compression unit may be configured as a bag-shaped member having the internal space and may be detachably housed inside the belt-shaped member. According to the compression device of the third mode, the belt-shaped member and the compression unit can be separated, so that the belt-shaped member can be easily washed with the compression unit removed. This makes it easy to keep the belt-shaped member, which comes into direct contact with the exerciser's skin, clean.

[0010] [Fourth Mode] In the pressurizing device described in any one of the first, second, and third modes, the pressurizing unit is configured as a bag-shaped member having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion stacked on top of each other, with the internal space formed between the first and second sheet portions. A plurality of flow path walls that define the gas flow path in the internal space may be configured by welding the first sheet portion to the second sheet portion, and the end portions of each of the plurality of flow path walls in the direction along the gas flow path may be wider than the remaining portions of the flow path wall. According to the pressurizing device of the fourth mode, the internal space of the pressurizing unit can be easily divided into a plurality of gas flow paths by welding the sheet portions, thereby making the pressurizing device easier to manufacture. Furthermore, because the end portions of the flow path walls are wider than the remaining portions, the weld strength between the sheets at the end portions of the flow path wall can be increased. This suppresses deterioration of the end portions of the gas flow path, which are susceptible to loads from gas pressure.

[0011] [Fifth Mode] In the compression device according to any one of the first, second, third, and fourth modes, the compression unit may have a piping connection portion, to which a piping member for supplying the gas is connected, provided in the center of the internal space. According to the compression device of the fifth mode, gas can be supplied from the center of the internal space of the compression unit, which facilitates substantially uniform distribution of the gas throughout the internal space. This further improves gas distribution within the compression unit, further preventing insufficient compression force from being applied to parts of the exerciser's body.

[0012] [Sixth Mode] In the compression device according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth modes, the belt-shaped member may include a central belt portion on which the pressure application portion is provided, and first and second belt portions arranged at positions offset from each other in the width direction on the central belt portion, extending in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction from the center of the pressure application portion, and wound around the body part to press the pressure application portion against the body part. According to the compression device of the sixth mode, the first and second belt portions make it even easier to wrap the pressure application portion in a state of intimate contact with the body part. Furthermore, the first and second belt portions can vary the degree of tightness of the pressure application portion in the width direction, thereby further improving the intimate contact with the body part.

[0013] [Seventh Mode] The compression device according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth modes may further include a flexible piping member connected to the internal space of the compression unit for introducing the gas into the internal space. The piping member may include a first coil portion formed of a coil tube formed by spirally winding an elastic tube, the first coil portion having a connector portion at its downstream end for connecting to the compression unit, and an intermediate tube portion formed of a freely drawable string-like tube having a downstream end connected to the upstream end of the first coil portion. According to the seventh mode of the compression device, the first coil portion constitutes the portion of the piping member that moves significantly in response to the exerciser's movements. Because the first coil portion is formed of a coil tube, it can bend and expand / contract by elastic deformation, generating a restoring force like a spring. This prevents the piping member from becoming tangled during training, achieving high maneuverability. Furthermore, a coil tube can suppress local bending deformation of the tube, allowing for a more stable and smooth supply of gas to the pressurizing unit. Furthermore, according to the seventh embodiment of the piping member, by providing an intermediate tube portion between the first coil portion and the gas supply source, the weight relative to the overall length of the piping member can be reduced compared to a piping member constructed entirely of coil tubes. This allows for a reduction in the overall weight of the piping member and improves the ease of handling of the piping member. Furthermore, by providing an intermediate tube portion, the length of the first coil portion can be shortened while maintaining the desired length of the piping member, thereby suppressing the generation of a large elastic force in the contraction direction in the first coil portion. This prevents the generation of a large elastic force in the contraction direction in the first coil portion from interfering with the athlete's training.

[0014] [Eighth Mode] In the pressurizing device of the seventh mode, the piping member may further include a second coil portion formed by the coil tube, the downstream end of which is connected to the upstream end of the intermediate tube portion, and the upstream end of which is connected to the gas supply source. According to the pressurizing device of the eighth mode, the elastic deformation of the second coil portion can absorb and alleviate the load generated by the exerciser's exercise together with the first coil portion, thereby preventing the load from being directly transmitted to the gas supply source. Furthermore, the inclusion of the second coil portion can prevent the piping member from becoming tangled or the tube from locally bending and deforming at the downstream end.

[0015] [Ninth Mode] The ninth mode is provided as a training device. The training device of the ninth mode includes the pressurizing device according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth modes; a pressurizing pump that supplies the gas to the pressurizing device through the piping member; and a control unit having a control unit that controls the operation of the pressurizing pump and thereby controls the supply of the gas to the pressurizing device. According to the training device of the ninth mode, the control unit controls the supply of gas to the pressurizing unit, thereby more appropriately restricting blood flow in the body parts of the exerciser. Therefore, the exerciser can easily obtain a higher training effect.

[0016] The technology of the present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than a compression tool or a training device, such as a belt-shaped member constituting a compression tool, a member constituting a compression unit, a piping member, a training system including a compression tool or a training device, a control method for a training device or a training system, or a method of muscle training using a compression tool.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a training device;Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a method for winding a belt-shaped member;Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded view showing a state in which a bag-shaped member has been removed from the belt-shaped member;Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bag-shaped member;Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a piping member;

[0018] 1. Embodiment: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a training device 100 equipped with compression devices 10a and 10b according to this embodiment.

[0019] The training device 100 is used when an athlete performs blood flow restriction training, and applies pressure to a body part that is the target of training using the pressure devices 10 a, 10 b to restrict blood flow in that body part. The training device 100 includes the two pressure devices 10 a, 10 b described above, and a control unit 50 that controls the supply of gas to each of the pressure devices 10 a, 10 b.

[0020] The first compression device 10a is used to apply pressure to parts of the exerciser's right half, and the second compression device 10b is used to apply pressure to parts of the exerciser's left half. The first compression device 10a and the second compression device 10b have substantially the same configuration except that the shapes of the belt-shaped members 11 are bilaterally symmetrical. In Fig. 1, the belt-shaped member 11 of the first compression device 10a is shown in an unfolded state, while the belt-shaped member 11 of the second compression device 10b is shown in a rolled-up state when worn on a body part of the exerciser.

[0021] Hereinafter, the first pressure application device 10a and the second pressure application device 10b will be referred to as the "pressure application device 10" without distinction. Furthermore, the following description of the configuration of the pressure application device 10 applies to both the first pressure application device 10a and the second pressure application device 10b unless otherwise specified. Note that in the training device 100, either one of the two pressure application devices 10a, 10b may be omitted.

[0022] The compression device 10 includes a belt-shaped member 11. The belt-shaped member 11 is wrapped around the target training part of the exerciser's body in the longitudinal direction. The dimensions and shape of the belt-shaped member 11 are determined depending on the body part around which it is to be wrapped. In this embodiment, the belt-shaped member 11 is configured to be wrapped around the exerciser's thigh. In other embodiments, the belt-shaped member 11 may be configured to be wrapped around a part other than the thigh, such as the upper arm.

[0023] The belt-shaped member 11 comprises a central belt portion 13 that is placed so as to cover the part of the body of the exerciser that restricts blood flow, and two belt portions 14, 15 for fixing the central belt portion 13 to the part of the body of the exerciser. The central belt portion 13 has a substantially rectangular shape, and its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped member 11. In the unfolded state, the belt-shaped member 11 has a configuration in which the two belt-shaped belt portions 14, 15 extend in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction from the center of the central belt portion 13 in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] The belt-shaped member 11 as a whole is slightly curved in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the central belt portion 13 and the two belt portions 14, 15 of the belt-shaped member 11 are also slightly curved in the longitudinal direction. The body part around which the belt-shaped member 11 is intended to be wrapped generally has a shape that becomes thicker toward one end. The curved shape of the belt-shaped member 11 makes it easier to wrap the belt-shaped member 11 so that it fits more closely around the body part. The method of wrapping the belt-shaped member 11 will be described later.

[0025] The belt-shaped member 11 functions as a so-called "cuff" that compresses the blood vessels of the body part around which it is wrapped to regulate blood flow. The belt-shaped member 11 has a central belt part 13 provided with a pressure part 30 that is filled with gas and expands to compress the body part of the exerciser.

[0026] The compression unit 30 has an internal space that is filled with gas. The internal space of the compression unit 30 is airtightly sealed except for the gas inlet. The compression unit 30 expands when filled with gas and applies pressure to the part of the exerciser's body around which the belt-shaped member 11 is wrapped. In this embodiment, the gas filled in the compression unit 30 is air. In other embodiments, the gas filled in the compression unit 30 may not be air. The compression unit 30 may be filled with, for example, nitrogen gas.

[0027] The internal space of the pressurizing unit 30 in this embodiment is defined by the internal space of a bag-shaped member 32 that is detachably housed inside the belt-shaped member 11. The configuration of the bag-shaped member 32 will be described later. The internal space of the pressurizing unit 30 is also formed with a gas flow path to facilitate gas filling and enhance the pressurizing effect on the exerciser's body. The configuration of the gas flow path of the pressurizing unit 30 will be described later.

[0028] According to the compression device 10 of this embodiment, the belt-shaped compression unit 30 can be placed on a body part of the exerciser by winding the belt-shaped member 11, which is connected in a single piece in the longitudinal direction. This configuration is easier to handle than, for example, a configuration in which the part corresponding to the compression unit is separated into multiple parallel tubes.

[0029] The compression device 10 further includes a piping member 16. The piping member 16 connects a pressure pump 53 included in the control unit 50 to the compression section 30 of the belt-shaped member 11, and guides the gas delivered by the pressure pump 53 to the compression section 30. The piping member 16 is flexible so that it can be freely pulled around by the exerciser.

[0030] In the pressurizing device 10, the piping member 16 is connected one-to-one to the pressurizing unit 30 without branching. This reduces the likelihood of the piping member 16 becoming tangled compared to when the piping member 16 is configured as a tube that branches into multiple parts near the belt-shaped member 11.

[0031] The piping member 16 is made of an elastic tube. This tube is made of a resin material such as polyurethane and has a diameter of, for example, about 3 to 10 mm. The piping member 16 has a pressure resistance of, for example, about 0 to 400 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), that is, a pressure resistance of about 0 to 53.3 kPa.

[0032] In the pressurizing device 10, the piping member 16 is connected one-to-one to the pressurizing unit 30 without branching. This reduces the likelihood of the piping member 16 becoming tangled compared to when the piping member 16 is configured as a tube that branches into multiple parts near the belt-shaped member 11.

[0033] In this embodiment, the piping member 16 has a portion configured by a coil tube formed in a spirally wound shape, and a portion in which the tube is not formed in such a manner but extends in a string-like shape. The configuration of the piping member 16 will be described in detail later.

[0034] The control unit 50 functions as a gas supply source for each of the pressurizing instruments 10 a and 10 b, and includes a housing 51 , an interface unit 52 , a pressure pump 53 , a pressure adjusting unit 54 , and a control unit 55 .

[0035] The housing 51 is formed of a hollow box made of resin. The interface unit 52 is provided on the top surface of the housing 51, and the pressure pump 53, pressure adjustment unit 54, and control unit 55 are housed inside the housing 51. The housing 51 is further provided with a connection port that connects the piping member 16 to the pressure pump 53, and a power supply connection unit that is connected to an external power supply. Illustrations and detailed descriptions of the connection port and power supply connection unit are omitted.

[0036] Although not shown, the interface unit 52 includes an operation unit and a display unit. The operation unit includes a switch for turning the pressure pump 53 on and off and a button for setting a target pressure value for the pressurizing unit 30. The display unit is configured with an LED or a liquid crystal panel, and displays, for example, the current operating state of the pressure pump 53, the actual measured value of the current pressure of the pressurizing unit 30, the elapsed time since pressurization by the pressurizing unit 30 started, etc.

[0037] The pressure pump 53 is driven under the control of the control unit 55, and as described above, delivers the gas to be filled in the pressurizing unit 30 of the belt-shaped member 11. The pressure adjusting unit 54 includes a valve (not shown), and adjusts the pressure of the gas delivered from the pressure adjusting unit 53 under the control of the control unit 55. The pressure adjusting unit 54 adjusts the pressure of each of the pressurizing units 30 of the first pressurizing instrument 10a and the second pressurizing instrument 10b separately. The pressure adjusting unit 54 also includes a pressure sensor (not shown), and outputs the actual measured value of the gas pressure in each of the pressurizing units 30 of the first pressurizing instrument 10a and the second pressurizing instrument 10b to the control unit 55.

[0038] The control unit 55 is configured by a microcomputer having a central processing unit (CPU) and a main memory device (RAM), and performs the function of controlling the control unit 50 by the CPU executing instructions and programs read onto the RAM. The control unit 55 controls the pressure pump 53 and the pressure adjustment unit 54 based on the actual pressure measurement value transmitted from the pressure adjustment unit 54 so that the internal pressure of the pressurizing unit 30 becomes the target pressure value input through the operation of the interface unit 52.

[0039] The control unit 55 also measures the time for which pressure is applied by the pressure unit 30, and notifies the exerciser of the start and end timings of training via the display unit of the interface unit 52. Each timing is determined based on the elapsed time after the pressure unit 30 starts applying pressure.

[0040] According to the training device 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the supply of gas to the pressurizing unit 30, thereby more appropriately restricting blood flow in the body parts of the exerciser. This allows the exerciser to easily achieve a higher training effect.

[0041] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, the detailed configuration of the central band portion 13 and each of the belt portions 14 and 15 of the band-shaped member 11 will be described.

[0042] Hereinafter, for each of the central band portion 13 and the two belt portions 14, 15 that constitute the belt-shaped member 11, the surface that faces outward when the belt-shaped member 11 is wrapped around an exerciser's body part will be referred to as the "outer surface Sa," and the inner surface that faces the exerciser's body part will be referred to as the "body side surface Sb." Furthermore, the two widthwise ends of the central band portion 13 and the two belt portions 14, 15 that constitute the belt-shaped member 11 will be referred to as the "first width end Ea" and the "second width end Eb." The first width end Ea corresponds to the side edge that is positioned closer to the heart when the belt-shaped member 11 is wrapped around an exerciser's body part, and the second width end Eb corresponds to the side edge that is positioned further from the heart. In this embodiment, the first width end Ea is positioned closer to the thigh, and the second width end Eb is positioned closer to the knee.

[0043] As described above, the central band portion 13 has a shape that is slightly curved in an arc shape overall in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the central band portion 13 is curved so that the first width end portion Ea side bulges slightly in the width direction.

[0044] The central belt 13 has a bag-like structure, with the outer surface Sa and the body side Sb made up of overlapping, generally rectangular belt-like members joined at their outer edges. Most of the outer surface Sa of the central belt 13 is covered with a first hook-and-loop fastener 21 made up of a pleasant-to-the-touch loop. Meanwhile, the body side Sb of the central belt 13 is made up of, for example, a plate-shaped rubber member. This prevents the central belt 13 from slipping on the exerciser's body.

[0045] The first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 are arranged on the outer surface Sa of the central band portion 13, i.e., on the pressure applying portion 30, at positions offset from each other in the width direction of the band-shaped member 11. The first belt portion 14 is arranged on the first width end Ea side of the central band portion 13, and the second belt portion 15 is arranged on the second width end Eb side of the central band portion 13. The first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 extend in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction from the center of the area where the pressure applying portion 30 is arranged. The positions of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 in the width direction may be interchanged.

[0046] The first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 have approximately the same length, and are at least twice as long as the central band portion 13. The width of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 is approximately half the width of the central band portion 13. In other embodiments, the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 may have different lengths or widths, or may have a width that is half or less the width of the central band portion 13, or a width that is more than half the width of the central band portion 13.

[0047] As described above, the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 have a shape that is slightly curved in an arc overall in the longitudinal direction from the base end BB to the tip end BE. In this embodiment, each of the belt portions 14, 15 is curved so that the first width end Ea side bulges slightly in the width direction.

[0048] The base ends BB of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15, which are disposed in the center of the central band portion 13, are sewn and fixed to the outer surface Sa of the central band portion 13. The portions of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 disposed on the central band portion 13 on the base end BB side extend along the first width end Ea or the second width end Eb of the central band portion 13. The base ends BB of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 are each provided with a square frame-shaped fastener 20 that functions as a buckle.

[0049] Most of the outer surfaces Sa of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15, except for the tip portions BE, are covered with first hook-and-loop fasteners 21. Second hook-and-loop fasteners 22 are provided on the outer surfaces Sa of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 at the tip portions BE. The second hook-and-loop fasteners 22 are configured with hooks that correspond to the loops of the first hook-and-loop fasteners 21.

[0050] The body side surfaces Sb of the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 are made of, for example, a plate-shaped rubber material, similar to the central band portion 13. This makes it possible to prevent the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 from slipping on the exerciser's body parts.

[0051] A method for wrapping the belt-shaped member 11 around a body part of an exerciser will be described with reference to Figure 2 together with Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the belt-shaped member 11 in the process of being wrapped into a cylindrical shape.

[0052] Before being worn on an exerciser's body, the belt-shaped member 11 is wound in advance into a cylindrical shape as shown in Fig. 1. To form the belt-shaped member 11 into such a cylindrical shape, first, as shown in Fig. 2, the central belt portion 13 is curved in the longitudinal direction so that the outer surface Sa faces outward and the body side surface Sb faces inward. Then, the two belt portions 14, 15 are wound in opposite directions around the outside of the central belt portion 13.

[0053] After each belt portion 14, 15 has been wound once, it is inserted into the frame of a fastener 20 provided at its base end BB, which is fixed to the central belt portion 13, and folded back, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 2. Then, it is fixed onto the first hook-and-loop fastener 21 by the second hook-and-loop fastener 22 at the tip end BE. This causes the belt-shaped member 11 to be wound into a cylindrical shape as shown in Fig. 1.

[0054] When the compression device 10 is attached to a body part of an exerciser, the body part of the exerciser is inserted into the cylindrical belt-shaped member 11 wound as described above. Then, the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 are tightened to secure the body part of the exerciser, thereby fixing the belt-shaped member 11 to the body part of the exerciser. With the belt-shaped member 11, the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15 can separately adjust the degree of tightening on the first width end Ea side and the second width end Eb side.

[0055] The configuration of the pressure applying unit 30 provided in the central band 13 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view showing the bag-shaped member 32 constituting the pressure applying unit 30 removed from the central band 13. Figure 3 illustrates the outer surfaces Sa of the central band 13 and the bag-shaped member 32. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pressure applying unit 30 taken along line 4-4 shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 illustrates the pressure applying unit 30 in an inflated state filled with gas.

[0056] See Figure 3. As described above, the central band portion 13 has a bag-like configuration, and the bag-like member 32 constituting the pressure unit 30 is detachably housed therein. A slit-like opening 19 is provided at the first width end Ea of the central band portion 13 for inserting and removing the bag-like member 32. The opening 19 is formed along the first width end Ea in the vicinity of the first width end Ea. A zipper for opening and closing the opening 19 may be provided.

[0057] As described above, according to the compression device 10 of this embodiment, the compression unit 30 is configured by the bag-shaped member 32 and can be separated from the belt-shaped member 11. Therefore, with the compression unit 30 removed, the belt-shaped member 11 can be easily washed, and the belt-shaped member 11, which comes into direct contact with the exerciser's skin, can be easily kept clean.

[0058] The bag-shaped member 32 has a shape corresponding to the central band portion 13. The bag-shaped member 32 has a rectangular shape similar to the bag-shaped member 32, and is slightly curved overall in the longitudinal direction. When housed inside the central band portion 13, the bag-shaped member 32 is disposed over almost the entire central band portion 13.

[0059] Hereinafter, the two surfaces of the bag-shaped member 32 will be referred to as the outer surface Sa and the body surface Sb, respectively, in correspondence with the central belt 13, based on the state in which the bag-shaped member 32 is housed inside the central belt 13. The two ends that form the long sides of the bag-shaped member 32 in the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11 will also be referred to as the first width end Ea and the second width end Eb, in correspondence with the central belt 13.

[0060] The bag-shaped member 32 is airtightly constructed from a resin film member such as polyurethane. As shown in Fig. 4, the bag-shaped member 32 is produced by overlapping a first sheet portion 33 constituting the outer surface Sa and a second sheet portion 34 constituting the body side surface Sb and welding their outer peripheral edges. The internal space of the bag-shaped member 32 is formed between the first sheet portion 33 and the second sheet portion 34. The first sheet portion 33 and the second sheet portion 34 may be constructed from separate members or may be constructed as a continuous body.

[0061] In the following, the configuration of the bag-shaped member 32 will be described as the configuration of the pressurizing unit 30. As shown in Fig. 3, a piping connection portion 35 to which an end of the piping member 16 is connected is provided in the center of the pressurizing unit 30 in the width direction and the length direction. The piping connection portion 35 has a pipe portion that communicates with the internal space and extends along the outer surface Sa. A through-hole is provided in the center of the outer surface Sa of the central band portion 13 in the width direction and the length direction, and when the bag-shaped member 32 is stored in the central band portion 13, the piping connection portion 35 protrudes to the outside through the through-hole.

[0062] A cover member 25 is attached to the outer surface Sa of the central band 13 to cover the piping connection portion 35 that protrudes to the outside. The cover member 25 is made of a resin such as silicone rubber or polypropylene. The cover member 25 has a semi-cylindrical portion into which the tube portion of the piping connection portion 35 that protrudes from the inside of the central band 13 fits. The piping connection portion 35 is covered and protected by the cover member 25. The cover member 25 functions as a positioning portion when storing the bag-shaped member 32 inside the central band 13, and also functions as a fixing portion.

[0063] The internal space of the pressurizing unit 30 is partitioned into a plurality of parallel gas flow paths 37 by the provision of flow path walls 38. In this embodiment, the flow path walls 38 are formed by welding the first sheet portion 33 and the second sheet portion 34 together, as shown in Fig. 4. If the flow path walls 38 are formed by welding the sheet portions 33, 34 together, it is possible to easily partition the gas flow paths 37 in the internal space of the pressurizing unit 30. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to prepare a separate member for forming the flow path walls 38, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts of the pressurizing device 10.

[0064] 3 , the gas flow paths 37 of the pressurizing unit 30 extend along the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11 and are connected to each other. In this embodiment, the gas flow paths 37 extend linearly in the width direction and are connected to each other via communication paths 39 provided at both ends in the width direction. The gas introduced into the pressurizing unit 30 from the piping member 16 via the piping connection portion 35 is smoothed by the gas flow paths 37 in the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11. The communication paths 39 also smoothen the flow of gas into each gas flow path 37.

[0065] 3, in this embodiment, the pressurizing unit 30 has a substantially rectangular shape, and each gas flow path 37 is formed along the short side of the pressurizing unit 30. Therefore, the length of each gas flow path 37 is shorter than when each gas flow path 37 is formed along the long side. This makes it easier to fill each gas flow path 37 with gas, and reduces the time required to fill each gas flow path 37 with gas.

[0066] In addition, in the pressurizing unit 30 of this embodiment, the gas flow paths 37 are arranged in the longitudinal direction, so that the width of each gas flow path 37 can be easily increased. This reduces the flow path resistance of each gas flow path 37, and improves gas distribution to each gas flow path. Furthermore, the pressurized range of each gas flow path 37 can be increased, so that the exerciser's body parts can be pressurized more effectively.

[0067] In this way, the pressurizing unit 30 has an internal space divided by the gas flow paths 37 as described above, thereby improving the gas distribution. In other words, the pressurizing unit 30 has the gas flow paths 37, which makes it easier for the gas introduced from the piping member 16 to spread throughout the entire internal space. This makes it possible to shorten the time from when the supply of gas to the pressurizing unit 30 begins until the pressurizing unit 30 starts to compress the exerciser's body parts. In addition, it is possible to prevent the creation of areas in the internal space of the pressurizing unit 30 where the gas does not spread and where the pressurizing force is insufficient.

[0068] Furthermore, as described above, if the gas distribution in the internal space of the pressure unit 30 is improved, it becomes possible to quickly discharge the gas from the pressure unit 30 after training is completed. This reduces the effort and time required to discharge the gas from the pressure unit 30.

[0069] As described above, in the pressurizing unit 30 of this embodiment, the piping connection portion 35 to which the piping member 16 for supplying gas is connected is provided in the center of the internal space. This allows gas to be introduced from the center of the internal space, making it easier to distribute the gas more evenly throughout the internal space. This further improves the gas distribution in the pressurizing unit 30 and further prevents uneven application of pressure by the pressurizing unit 30 to parts of the exerciser's body.

[0070] In order to make the flow rate of gas within the pressurizing unit 30 more uniform, it is preferable that each gas flow path 37 is configured so as to have a uniform flow path resistance. In order to make the flow path resistance of each gas flow path 37 uniform, for example, the width in the longitudinal direction of each gas flow path 37 may be made approximately uniform. Also, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​each gas flow path 37 may be made approximately uniform. Here, the "flow path cross-sectional area" of a gas flow path 37 means the average value of the opening area in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the gas flow path 37 when the pressurizing unit 30 is inflated with a predetermined gas pressure assumed when the pressurizing device 10 is used.

[0071] In the pressurizing unit 30 of this embodiment, the width of each end 38s of the flow path wall 38 in the direction along the gas flow path 37 is configured to be larger than other portions of the flow path wall 38. This increases the welding strength between the first seat portion 33 and the second seat portion 34 at the end 38s of the flow path wall 38. This makes it possible to prevent the seat portions 33, 34 from separating from each other at the end 38s of the flow path wall 38, which is susceptible to the load of gas pressure.

[0072] As shown in Figure 4, when the pressurizing unit 30 is filled with gas, each gas flow path 37 expands so that the central portion protrudes in the thickness direction of the belt-shaped member 11. Therefore, when the pressurizing device 10 is in use, a region where the pressurizing force from the pressurizing unit 30 is locally high is formed linearly along the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11 within the arrangement region of the central belt portion 13. With this configuration, when the pressurizing device 10 is worn on one of the exercising person's limbs, such as the thigh or upper arm, a large pressurizing force can be applied to a wide, continuous, non-discrete linear region corresponding to the length of the gas flow path 37 along the direction of the muscle fibers and blood flow.

[0073] Some conventional compression devices apply pressure by filling a tube wrapped around an exerciser's body part with gas. With this configuration, a large pressure force is applied to the "points" where muscle fibers or large blood vessels intersect with the tube. In contrast, with the compression device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, a large pressure force can be applied to a wide, continuous "linear" area of ​​the exerciser's body part that follows the direction of muscle fibers and blood flow. Therefore, with the compression device 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to restrict blood flow by pressure more effectively than with the conventional configuration described above, and to obtain a high training effect.

[0074] Furthermore, in the conventional configuration described above, the area to which high pressure is applied is a plurality of narrow areas surrounding the body part in the circumferential direction, making it easy for the exerciser to feel pain due to the tightening of the compression device. In contrast, with the compression device 10 of the present embodiment, the area to which high pressure is applied is a wide range in the length direction of the body part as described above, and is dispersed to multiple areas in the circumferential direction of the body part, so the exerciser is prevented from feeling pain due to such tightening.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4 , the pressurizing unit 30 of this embodiment is configured such that each of the multiple gas flow paths 37 expands more on the outer surface Sa than on the body side surface Sb when filled with gas. The size of the expansion of the outer surface Sa and the body side surface Sb corresponds to the height of each gas flow path 37 relative to the welded portion that constitutes the flow path wall 38. The pressurizing unit 30 is configured such that the amount of deflection of the first sheet portion 33 in each gas flow path 37 is smaller than the amount of deflection of the second sheet portion 34, thereby causing the outer surface Sa to expand more than the body side surface Sb. Note that in other embodiments, the pressurizing unit 30 may be configured such that the amount of extension of the second sheet portion 34 when filled with gas is smaller than that of the first sheet portion 33, causing the outer surface Sa to expand more than the body side surface Sb.

[0076] With this configuration, when the pressure unit 30 is filled with gas, the outer surface Sa tends to expand in the longitudinal direction, and the pressure unit 30 tends to curl in the longitudinal direction with the body side surface Sb facing inward. This makes it easier to wrap the gas-filled pressure unit 30 around the body part of the exerciser, and makes it possible to compress the body part of the exerciser more effectively.

[0077] Additionally, in this embodiment, when the compression device 10 is in use, the compression unit 30 is tightened from the outside by the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15. Therefore, the pressure that acts in the direction of expanding the outer surface Sa of the compression unit 30 without the tightening by the belt portions 14, 15 can be used as a compression force that pressurizes the body of the exerciser. Therefore, the compression force on the body parts of the exerciser is further increased.

[0078] Furthermore, if each gas flow path 37 is configured to expand more on the outer surface Sa than on the body side surface Sb, the depth of the valleys between the gas flow paths 37 formed on the body side surface Sb of the pressurizing unit 30 when filled with gas will be smaller. Therefore, when using the pressurizing device 10, it is possible to prevent the exerciser's body parts from being pinched in the valleys of the gas flow paths 37, and the exerciser from feeling pain.

[0079] As described above, according to the compression device 10 of this embodiment, the internal space of the compression section 30 is divided into a plurality of parallel gas flow paths 37 extending along the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11, thereby realizing more effective compression of the exerciser's body parts.

[0080] 5, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the piping member 16 included in the pressurizing instrument 10. The piping member 16 has a first coil portion 60, an intermediate tube portion 65, a second coil portion 68, and an end tube portion 70.

[0081] The first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 are portions formed by a coil tube in which a single tube is wound in a spiral shape. The coil tube achieves flexibility by elastically deforming like a coil spring. The coil tube also elastically deforms so that it expands when an external tensile force is applied along the central axis of the spiral and contracts when the external force is released. The intermediate tube portion 65 and the end tube portion 70 are portions in which a single tube extends like a string and can be freely routed.

[0082] The first coil portion 60 is located at the downstream end of the piping member 16, the second coil portion 68 is located at the upstream end of the piping member 16, and the intermediate tube portion 65 is located between the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68. The end tube portion 70 is located upstream of the second coil portion 68 and constitutes the upstream end of the piping member 16. Here, "upstream" of the piping member 16 refers to the side connected to the control unit 50, which is the gas supply source, and "downstream" refers to the side connected to the pressurizing unit 30, which is the gas supply destination.

[0083] A connector portion 61 is provided at the downstream end of the first coil portion 60, and is connected to the piping connection portion 35 of the pressurizing portion 30 shown in Figure 3. The downstream end of the intermediate tube portion 65 is connected to the upstream end of the first coil portion 60. The upstream end of the intermediate tube portion 65 is connected to the control unit 50, which is a gas supply source, through an end tube portion 70. The upstream end of the end tube portion 70 is provided with a connection portion 72, which is connected to a connection port of the control unit 50. In order to achieve ease of handling of the piping member 16 as described below, it is preferable that the piping member 16 be configured as follows.

[0084] In the piping member 16, the length of the intermediate tube portion 65 is preferably equal to or greater than the length of the first coil portion 60 in an unextended state. Also, the length of the intermediate tube portion 65 is preferably equal to or greater than the length of the second coil portion 68 in an unextended state. The length of the end tube portion 70 is preferably shorter than the length of the second coil portion 68 in an unextended state.

[0085] The overall length of the piping member 16 when the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 are not extended is defined as L. In this case, the length of the first coil portion 60 when not extended may be, for example, 0.1 to 0.4 times L. The length of the intermediate tube portion 65 may be 0.3 to 0.6 times L. The length of the second coil portion 68 when not extended may be 0.1 to 0.4 times L. The length of the end tube portion 70 may be 0.05 to 0.2 times L.

[0086] In the piping member 16, the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 constitute the portions that move most in accordance with the exerciser's movements during training. As described above, the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 are constituted by coil tubes, and therefore, due to the elastic deformation of the coil shape, they flex and expand while generating a spring-like restoring force. This allows them to easily return to their original shape, reducing the risk of tangling during exercise. Furthermore, because the diameters of the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 are large, they are less likely to tangle and are less likely to get caught in narrow gaps in the exercise equipment used by the exerciser.

[0087] In the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68, the load applied when the athlete moves vigorously is dispersed and absorbed by the flexural deformation of the coil shape, preventing the tubes that make up the coils from bending locally. This allows for a stable and smooth supply of gas to the compression unit 30 even during the athlete's training.

[0088] In the piping member 16, the connector portion 61 is connected directly to the portion where the tube of the first coil portion 60 is formed into a coil shape. This allows the load applied to the connector portion 61 during training by the exerciser to be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the first coil portion 60, thereby preventing the connector portion 61 from falling off from the piping connection portion 35 of the pressure applying portion 30 and preventing damage or deterioration of the piping connection portion or the connector portion 61.

[0089] The piping member 16 has the intermediate tube portion 65, and therefore the weight relative to the overall length of the piping member 16 can be reduced compared to when the entire piping member 16 is made of a coil tube. This allows the weight of the entire piping member 16 to be reduced, and improves the handleability of the piping member 16.

[0090] Furthermore, by providing the intermediate tube portion 65, the lengths of the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 can be shortened while ensuring the desired overall length of the piping member 16. This reduces the amount of stretch of the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 when an external force in the pulling direction is applied to the entire piping member 16. Therefore, when an athlete is training, the generation of a large elastic force in the contraction direction in the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 is suppressed, and the athlete's training can be prevented from being hindered by this elastic force.

[0091] In the piping member 16, the end tube portion 70 is interposed between the second coil portion 68 and the control unit 50. This prevents the elastic force in the contraction direction generated in the second coil portion 68 from acting directly on the control unit 50. This prevents the control unit 50 from being pulled by the contraction force of the second coil portion 68 and falling off from its installation location, among other problems.

[0092] As described above, according to the compression device 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to more effectively compress the body parts of the exerciser and improve the distribution of gas due to the different flow path configuration from the conventional one in the compression unit 30. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the handling of the compression device 10 and the gas supply performance, etc., due to the different configuration of the piping member 16 from the conventional one.

[0093] 2. Other Embodiments: The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments or the configurations described as other embodiments within each embodiment, and may be modified, for example, as follows. All of the other embodiments described below, like the above-described embodiments, are positioned as examples of modes for implementing the technology of the present disclosure.

[0094] 2-1. First Alternative Embodiment: The flow path configuration in the internal space of the pressurizing unit 30 may have a configuration other than that described in the above embodiment. Each gas flow path 37 does not have to be formed in a straight line, and may have a configuration that is slightly curved in the width direction. Furthermore, the length and width of each gas flow path 37 do not have to be uniform, and each gas flow path 37 may have a different length and width. The communication passage 39 that connects each gas flow path 37 may be provided in a portion other than the end portion in the width direction of the belt-shaped member 11, and may be provided, for example, in the middle of the gas flow path 37. The width and length of the communication passage 39 are also not particularly limited.

[0095] 2-2. Second Alternative Embodiment: The gas flow paths 37 of the pressurizing unit 30 may be configured to inflate in the same manner on the outer surface Sa side and the body side Sb side when the pressurizing unit 30 is filled with gas. The gas flow paths 37 of the pressurizing unit 30 may be configured to inflate more on the body side Sb side than on the outer surface Sa side when the pressurizing unit 30 is filled with gas. In the pressurizing unit 30, each gas flow path 37 may inflate in a different manner.

[0096] 2-3. Third Alternative Embodiment: The pressurizing unit 30 may be configured so as not to be detachable from the belt-shaped member 11. For example, the bag-shaped member 32 may be fixed inside the central belt 13 so as not to be removed. Alternatively, the internal space of the central belt 13 may be configured to be airtight, and a member that forms a flow path wall for partitioning the gas flow path 37 may be installed in this internal space.

[0097] 2-4. Fourth embodiment: In the bag-shaped member 32 constituting the pressurizing unit 30, instead of constituting the flow path wall 38 by the welded portion of the first sheet portion 33 and the second sheet portion 34 of the bag-shaped member 32, a member constituting the flow path wall may be installed within the internal space of the bag-shaped member 32 to define the gas flow path 37. Furthermore, in the bag-shaped member 32, the flow path wall 38 formed by the welded portion of the first sheet portion 33 and the second sheet portion 34 may be configured so that its end portion 38s has the same width as the other portions.

[0098] 2-5. Fifth Alternative Embodiment: The pipe connection portion 35 may be provided at a location other than the center of the internal space of the pressure applying portion 30. For example, the pipe connection portion 35 may be provided at the first width end portion Ea or the second width end portion Eb of the pressure applying portion 30.

[0099] 2-6. Sixth Alternative Embodiment: In the above-described embodiments, the piping member 16 may have a configuration in which at least one of the first coil portion 60 and the second coil portion 68 is omitted. Also, the piping member 16 may have a configuration in which the end tube portion 70 is omitted, and a connection portion 72, which is connected to the connection port of the control unit 50, is directly connected to the upstream end of the second coil portion 68.

[0100] 2-7. Seventh Alternative Embodiment: Instead of the configuration including the first belt portion 14 and the second belt portion 15, the belt-shaped member 11 may be configured, for example, as a single long belt-shaped member provided with the pressure portion 30 midway.

[0101] 2-8. Eighth Alternative Embodiment: The technology disclosed herein can also be realized as a piping member used in a pressurizing device. In this case, the piping member can be configured to have at least portions corresponding to the first coil portion 60 and the intermediate tube portion 65 described in the above embodiment. A pressurizing device including a piping member of this configuration may include a pressurizing unit configured differently from that described in the above embodiment. For example, the pressurizing unit may be configured to have multiple parallel flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction. According to the piping member of this configuration, as described in the above embodiment, the elastically deformable nature of the portion corresponding to the first coil portion 60 improves the maneuverability of the piping member. Furthermore, as described in the above embodiment, the inclusion of the intermediate tube portion 65 can reduce the weight of the piping member and suppress the generation of a large elastic force in the contraction direction in the portion corresponding to the first coil portion 60. The piping member may further include a portion corresponding to the second coil portion 68 and a portion corresponding to the end tube portion 70. If the piping member has a portion corresponding to the second coil portion 68, as described in the above embodiment, the ease of handling of the piping member is improved due to the elastically deformable nature of the portion corresponding to the second coil portion 68. Furthermore, if the piping member has a portion corresponding to the end tube portion 70, as described in the above embodiment, the control unit 50 is prevented from being directly affected by the elastic force generated in the portion corresponding to the second coil portion 68.

[0102] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b...pressurizing device, 11...belt-shaped member, 13...central band portion, 14...first belt portion, 15...second belt portion, 16...piping member, 19...opening, 20...fastener, 21...first hook-and-loop fastener, 22...second hook-and-loop fastener, 25...cover member, 30...pressurizing portion, 32...bag-shaped member, 33...first sheet portion, 34...second sheet portion, 35...piping connection portion, 37...gas flow path, 38...flow path wall, 38s...end portion, 39 ...Communication passage, 50...Control unit, 51...Housing, 52...Interface section, 53...Pressure pump, 54...Pressure adjustment section, 55...Control section, 60...First coil section, 61...Connector section, 65...Intermediate tube section, 68...Second coil section, 70...End tube section, 72...Connection section, 100...Training device, BB...Base end section, BE...Tip end section, Sa...Outer surface, Sb...Body side surface, Ea...First width end section, Eb...Second width end section

Claims

1. A compression device which restricts blood flow to a body part of an athlete by applying pressure during muscle training, comprising: a band-shaped member which is wrapped longitudinally around said body part; and a compression section which is attached to said band-shaped member and positioned on said body part by wrapping said band-shaped member around said body part, and which expands when gas supplied from the outside is filled into its internal space to compress said body part, wherein the internal space of the compression section is partitioned into a number of parallel gas flow paths which extend along the width direction of the band-shaped member and are connected to each other.

2. A pressurizing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of gas flow paths is configured such that when filled with gas, the outer surface opposite the body side facing the body part expands more than the body side facing the body part.

3. A pressure application device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure application section is constituted by a bag-shaped member having the internal space and is detachably housed inside the belt-shaped member.

4. A pressurizing device as described in claim 1, wherein the pressurizing section is constituted by a bag-shaped member having a first sheet section and a second sheet section superimposed on each other, with the internal space being formed between the first sheet section and the second sheet section, a plurality of flow path walls which partition the gas flow path in the internal space are constituted by welded sections where the first sheet section and the second sheet section are welded together, and the ends of each of the plurality of flow path walls in a direction along the gas flow path are wider than other portions of the flow path walls.

5. A pressurizing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing section has a piping connection section provided in the center of the internal space to which a piping member for supplying the gas is connected.

6. A compression device as described in claim 1, wherein the belt-shaped member has: a central belt portion on which the compression portion is provided; and a first belt portion and a second belt portion which are arranged on the central belt portion at positions offset from each other in the width direction, extend from the center of the compression portion in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction, and are wrapped around the body part to press the compression portion against the body part.

7. A pressurizing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a flexible piping member connected to the internal space of the pressurizing section for introducing the gas into the internal space, the piping member comprising: a first coil section formed from a coil tube shaped into a spirally wound tube, the downstream end of which is provided with a connector section for connecting to the pressurizing section; and an intermediate tube section formed from a string-like tube that can be pulled freely, the downstream end of which is connected to the upstream end of the first coil section.

8. A pressurizing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the piping member further comprises a second coil portion formed by the coil tube, the downstream end of which is connected to the upstream end of the intermediate tube portion, and the upstream end of which is connected to the gas supply source.

9. A training device comprising: a pressurizing device as described in claim 7; a pressure pump that supplies the gas to the pressurizing device through the piping member; and a control unit having a control unit that controls the operation of the pressurizing pump and thereby controls the supply of the gas to the pressurizing device.