Description

Self-coaching portable device for abdominal muscles

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a self-coaching portable device for abdominal muscles .

Background Art

In the sector of fitness and devices for rehabilitation and re-education of injured limbs, machines for exercising specific muscle groups gradually developed parallel with the use of other devices, such as electrostimulators, equally suitable for local application.

Many machines and pieces of apparatus are known for coaching each muscle group, as well as their use in combination with various types of electrostimulators: two large categories which may be referred to in order to distinguish an objective which is mainly the strengthening of muscles rather than acquiring general physical wellbeing are respectively so-called "isokinetic machines" and so-called "cardiovascular machines".

When using isokinetic devices, and in particular those which are- not pre-calibrated to a predetermined counterweight value, the risk run is the difficulty for the user to identify the best way to use the coaching equipment. In practice, this corresponds to having to assess independently, and without definite responses, what is the muscle contraction corresponding to the objective of the exercise performed, as well as other parameters characteristic of the exercise, for example the number of repetitions, the time for which the muscles worked must remain contracted, the recovery time between one repetition and another.

Pieces of apparatus for abdominal muscle coaching usually belong to this type: the user does not immediately identify the correct position in which the desired stress on the muscles occurs, nor is

it easy to repeat the same exercise a number of times identically, achieving the same muscle contraction.

In this particular category of pieces of apparatus, combination with an electrostimulator should also provide effective action by the latter by sending a train of stimulating waves at the moment when muscle contraction reaches the desired level.

Obviously, the difficulties identifying the precise desired level of muscle contraction and repeating the exercise identically also affect the efficiency of the action of the electrostimulator, which may not intervene at the optimum moment.

Another limit of these devices is the fact that they are nearly always heavy and bulky, meaning that they are located in specialised centres and gymnasiums, obliging users to go to these places in order to use them. Therefore, it often happens that, for reasons involving time or logistic problems, persons ' who need to use the devices give up on this type of therapy.

Alternatively to the use of the machines, abdominal exercises are often performed under the guidance of an instructor, for individuals or groups : it is well known among gymnasium users that such exercises are amongst the least popular, therefore users avoid them where possible. Thus, the absence of the instructor is a valid reason to avoid this activity or to carry it out in a way which is not useful for the predetermined purpose. Moreover, unguided performance of these exercises may involve incorrect posture and selection of the exercises,- due to inexperience, which could be even more harmful than not doing them at all .

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

This is done with a piece of apparatus which indicates when the desired level of muscular effort by the abdominal muscles has been reached.

The main advantage of the present invention is basically that the user can dedicate his full attention to doing the exercise correctly, without having to worry about controlling the muscle contraction and times involved in the exercise.

The fact that the piece of apparatus also guides and regulates the user while doing the exercises is without doubt a psychological support which is very important to achieving the predetermined objectives. Even the quality and gradualness of the exercises proposed, specially designed by experts in the sector, allows each individual user to be followed in the most precise way possible. Moreover, since the piece of apparatus is portable, the user can do the exercises at the times and in the places most convenient for him. The kit which allows easy device transportation at the same time avoids incorrect posture when doing the exercises on the floor.

Finally, if the piece of apparatus is combined with an electrostimulator, the user can be certain that the latter will intervene at the precise moment when the contraction of the abdominal muscles to which it is applied reaches a predetermined level.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention are more evident in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment without limiting the scope of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a succession of perspective views, respectively front (Figure Ia), rear (Figure Ib) and side (Figure Ic) of the invention;

Figure 2 is a succession of views, respectively front (Figure 2a) , top plan (Figure 2b) and side (Figure 2c) of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged detail of the invention; Figure 4 illustrates the invention in the condition in which it is used, according to a time sequence relative to an exercise;

Figure 5 illustrates the invention during positioning by a user who is standing up before use.

Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention relates to a self-coaching portable device for abdominal muscles,

comprising a piece of apparatus 1 for exercising the abdominal muscles on the floor and an electronic control unit 2 integral with the piece of apparatus 1.

The electronic control unit 2 has a software 22 with at least one coaching program, a display 21 for showing the characteristics of the program to be performed, guiding means 23 of the user in performing the program correctly, detecting means

25 of achievement of a predetermined muscle contraction.

In the preferred theoretical case in which the software 22 comprises a plurality of coaching programs, the electronic control unit 2 has selecting means 24 of the program to be performed. The programs, prepared by experts in the sector, can be updated periodically and involve a gradualness which allows them to be adapted to the requirements of every user. An accessory which may help the device 10 in question be even more effective is an electrostimulator device 3, consisting of at least one pair of electrodes 31 and adjusting means 32 of the electrostimulating pulses, integral with the electronic control unit 2, in which the electrostimulator device 3 is activated by said detecting means 25 of a predetermined muscle contraction.

The software 22 can control when the desired muscle contraction is achieved, the time for which the user remains in the position in which the desired muscle contraction is achieved, the sending of electrostimulating pulses (if the electrostimulator device 3 is present) , the rest time between one repetition and another, the number of repetitions.

The guiding means 23 may be produced in various forms with the same function and without departing from the scope of the inventive concept: although they do not have to be simultaneously present in the electronic control unit 2, by way of example an acoustic alarm 23a, a voice command issuer 23c, and an optical alarm 23b are illustrated.

Therefore, it is evident that, whether or not the electrostimulator device 3 is present, the device 10 in question allows the abdominal muscle exercise to reach its maximum efficiency even when the user cannot attend a gymnasium, since the

presence of the guiding means 23 can overcome the instinctive reluctance to do exercises that are hard and often boring, whilst the detecting means 25 of a predetermined muscle contraction guarantee that the selected exercise is done correctly. There may also be different types of detecting means 25 of a predetermined muscle contraction, whose importance is even greater when the device 10 also comprises the electrostimulator device 3: in general, they may consist of a sensor 25a, integral with the piece of apparatus 1, able to detect any movement, or deformation, of the piece of apparatus 1 which corresponds to achievement of the predetermined muscle contraction. In the accompanying drawings, the sensor 25a detects rotation of the piece of apparatus 1 relative to the floor and if the electrostimulator device 3 is present, authorises the issuing of the pulses only when it reaches the value corresponding to achievement of a predetermined muscle contraction, or it simply signals, through the guiding means 23, that the exercise coaching condition has been reached. Alternatively, the detecting means 25 may consist of at least one sensor 25b, which if the electrostimulator device 3 is present could be located on the electrodes 31, therefore in contact with the muscles worked, designed to directly detect when the predetermined muscle contraction is achieved and to authorise the issuing of the electrostimulating pulses which in this way add to the voluntary contraction at the precise moment when it is suitable, or, if the electrostimulator device 3 is not present, simply informing the user via the guiding means 23 that the muscle contraction has been achieved.

To facilitate device 10 positioning when the user is still standing up, it comprises at least one adjustable shoulder strap 4 (or a similar accessory, for example a strap or belt) and a backrest 5, designed to support the back muscles.

In a preferred embodiment the electrostimulator device 3 comprises a belt 33, designed to support the electrodes 31 and to facilitate application of the device. The invention described may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be

substituted by technically equivalent elements .

Obviously, in practice modifications and/or improvements are possible, all covered by the scope of the claims herein .