AU2006235969A1 - Exercise Aids - Google Patents

Description

2006 17:09 Wa I inston-Dummer Sydney N o. 75 06 P 3 P/001009 Regulation 3.10

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: EXERCISE AIDS The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 062031 COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:09 Wall inston-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 4 2

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0 0 EXERCISE AIDS ci The present invention relates to devices and objects

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Z used with exercises of the body and, more particularly to 0 exercises in which parts of the body interact with supporting surfaces.

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BACKGROUND

Ce Most forms of exercise including yoga, pilates and ci NO conventional fitness enhancing work-outs, use an assortment Ci 10 of props to offer support for limbs and various body parts.

lyengar Yoga in particular is associated with a highly evolved practice which relies heavily on a vast assortment of ingenious devices to assist or enhance exercise performance..

Iyengar pioneered the use of wooden, rectangular blocks, semicircular and triangular prisms and wedges to support the yoga practitioner in his or her practice. More recently, similar shaped objects have been appearing in the form of synthetic foam materials which are lighter and come in various consistencies and densities.

A fundamental problem with these devices is that whilst they are often used in relatively extreme body positions, they are not in themselves stable relative to their supporting surface. This problem is exacerbated when a COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:10 Walli n ton-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 3 \0 floor is smooth, as is usually the case in gymnasiums or 0- other dedicated exercise areas, and by perspiration.

0 z Exercise aids in the form of blocks are typically placed on a floor or some supporting surface, with one limb or part of the body resting on the block and another limb for

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^O example resting on the supporting surface or on another exercise aid. Exercises then involve stretching the limbs cO O or body such that lateral forces are placed on the supporting aid. This may lead to slippage of the aid, particularly on smooth supporting surfaces, defeating the object of the exercise and even causing injury and muscle strain.

It has been proposed that weight bearing during wrist extension should be avoided as there are certain ligaments in the forearm, wrist, hand complex which can be overstretched and can render the hand unusable, requiring corrective surgery. Sufferers of RSI and carpel tunnel syndrome find such positions unbearable and are limited in their capacity to perform such positions and movements.

Existing wedges made of wood or foam are frustrating to use as the users hands slide relative to the upper surface especially when the practitioner is perspiring heavily.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:10 Wallington-Dummer Sydney H o- 75 06 P 6 4 It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and tiot in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background 0 of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided an exercise aid for use between a limb or other part of the human body and a supporting surface; said aid comprising one of a plurality of blocks; each block of said plurality of blocks comprising a core of stiff supporting material bounded by surfaces; at least one of said surfaces laminated with a friction layer; said friction layer comprising material adapted to provide a high coefficient of friction between said block and said supporting surface.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:10 Wal i n ton-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 7 5 O Preferably, said core of stiff supporting material is a 0 r- polymer foam.

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Z Preferably, said friction layer is a portion of yoga mat 0 material.

Preferably, said plurality of blocks includes rectangular

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en Cc 4\ Preferably, said plurality of blocks includes wedge shaped 0 o blocks.

Preferably, said plurality of blocks includes semi-circular shaped blocks.

Preferably, said plurality of blocks includes blocks shaped as triangular prisms.

Preferably, said polymer foam is provided in a range of densities of said foam.

Preferably, said plurality of blocks is provided in a range of thicknesses and sizes.

Preferably, at least two adjacent said surfaces of a said block are provided with said friction layer.

Preferably, at least two opposing said surfaces of a said block are provided with said friction layer.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 lO Nov. 2006 17:10 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o -7 5 06 P 8 O Preferably, all said surfaces of a said block are provided C-i with said friction layer.

0 Z Preferably, one or more said blocks are assembled to form a 0 composite said exercise aid; said one or more blocks assembled so that a friction layer of any one of said \O blocks abuts a friction face of each adjoining block.

Cj In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided

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o a method of providing stability between an exercise aid supporting a limb or another part of the human body and a supporting surface; said method including a high coefficient of friction of surfaces of said aid.

Preferably, said method includes the steps of laminating at least one surface of said exercise aid with a layer of material having a high coefficient of friction.

Preferably, said exercise aids are blocks formed of a polymer foam.

Preferably, said layer of material is a yoga mat material.

In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of preventing slippage of an exercise aid on a supporting surface; said exercise aid used between a limb or another part of the body and said supporting surface; said method including the step of laminating at least one surface of said exercise aid with a material COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:10 Wa ngton-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 9 7 S having a high coefficient of friction; said material being eC a yoga mat material.

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Z Preferably, said exercise aids are blocks of a foam polymer 0 material.

Preferably, said blocks are provided in a plurality of

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O shapes; said shapes including wedges, rectangular and Cg triangular prisms, and semi-circular blocks.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of an exercise aid according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a number of typical shapes of known exercise aids, Figure 3 is a further perspective view of an exercise aid according to the invention, Figure 4 shows examples of a number of possible assemblies of exercise aids according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, an exercise aid according to the invention comprises a composite block of COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 16.Nov. 2006 17:11 Wa Iington-Dummer Sydney -No,7506 P 1-1 materials (shown as a representative wedge in Figure 1) 0 (Nq adapted for supporting a limb or other part of the human o body (not shown) during yoga and other forms of physical z o exercise. Exercise aid 10 may be provided in any of a range of sizes and configurations, such as those shown in Figure 2, to form a modular system of exercise aids incorporating Va ON the novel feature of the present invention.

(Nq The core 12 or base structure of the blocks 10 of the

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oexercise aid of the present invention, like those commonly

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i0 available, may be made of any of a number of relatively rigid materials, including wood and plastic, but are preferably formed of polymer foam. This material can be provided in a range of densities to suit various exercise regimes and is light in weight and very portable.

Blocks according to the invention are adapted to largely eliminate the problem of slippage described above, by providing at least one surface 14 of each block with a laminated layer 14, as shown in Figure 1, having a high coefficient of friction. Preferably this layer is a yoga mat material.

A preferred yoga mat material for use in the exercise aids of the invention is a composite of two thin layers of rubber with an interwoven layer of fabric, although other forms of yoga mat like material may be used. A preferred thickness of the laminated layer 14 is in the range of 3 to COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:11 Wa Lington-Dummer Sydney No. 7506 P. 1 9 S0 Although at least one surface of a block of the cqi exercise aid of the invention is provided with a laminated O layer 14, more than one surface may be so laminated. Blocks z provided with multiple laminated faces may be assembled as shown for example in Figure 3, to provide variations in supporting heights and angles as preferred for various

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^O exercises as illustrated in Figure 4. Various sizes and c-i shapes will interrelate to each other in their size, shape

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and aesthetic appearance creating an almost infinite variety of stable and interconnected forms similar to the concept of Lego® blocks or similar modular building systems that can be constantly and endlessly reconfigured..

The abutting laminated surfaces provide that such assemblies of stacked blocks act as a unitary blocks due to the high coefficient of friction between the contacting surfaces, further augmented by the weight placed upon them.

In at least some embodiments of the exercise aid of the invention, at least two opposing surfaces are laminated as described so that both the surface of the aid in contact with a supporting surface, as well as an opposite surface in contact with a limb or other body part, are laminated surfaces. This arrangement prevents slippage of a perspiring hand, foot or other body part placed on the upper surface of the aid.

In Use COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 Nov. 2006 17:11 Wal i nston-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 12 10 0o Although typically, conventional exercise blocks are often used in conjunction with yoga mats, the blocks of the 0 exercise aid of the present invention may be used on z virtually any surface without the need of a yoga mat if desired.

In yoga and other forms of physical activity, blocks

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ON can act as extensions of the limbs where reach is limited.

They can also act as fulcrums over which one body part is

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mobilized relative to another and in the case of wedges, can relieve strain on joints by changing angles of flexion and extension etc. especially while weight bearing.

The ability to assemble blocks of different shapes and sizes with contacting laminated surfaces, allows a user a large range of supporting heights and angles without fear of slippage of one block relative to another or to the supporting surface.

By placing wedges under the heels, the tightness of the Achilles tendon and calf muscles is overcome in movements such as squatting. The wedges can offer similar support in any position where calf Achilles tension is and issue.

By placing wedges under the balls of the feet, a greater range of movement is attained in heel raises.

In placing blocks under the balls of the feet and moving the ankle joint into dorsiflexion by leaning the body towards the higher end of the wedge, a calf Achilles COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:11 Wa l inston-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 13 11 SO stretch can be initiated. As the muscles and connective 0 0 tissues become accustomed to the stretch and the stretch O reflex is pacified, wedges can be laid on top of each other z to increase the angle and intensity of the stretch.

In placing blocks under the balls of the feet in a standing position and keeping the legs extended (straight)

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or only slightly bent whilst flexing the hips and spine Ce into a forward bend position, the intensity of the stretch

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O to the claves, hamstrings, posterior spinal muscles and the posterior spinal nerves is greatly intensified.

In a seated forward bend position, the anterior rotation of the pelvis and extension of the spine are enhanced by placing wedges under the ischial tuberosities (sitting bones) which grip the laminated surfaces of the wedges and rotate backwards thereby freeing the spine to lengthen forwards.

In movements such as the Ashtanga Power Yoga jump through, the wedges can act not only as stable wrist support while weight bearing but can add height to the upper limb and therefore more ground clearance when passing the lower body through and between the arms and hands.

By placing two wedges one on top of the other but in opposite direction, a stable rectangular prism is formed.

This can alleviate the need to buy or travel with full rectangular blocks when space, weight or money are an issue.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:12 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.750B P. 14 12 ND Blocks can also simply act as a means of establishing C-i a firm grip on a slippery surface..

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z o The above exercises are either only possible or are greatly enhanced by the nature of the laminated surfaces 01 between the blocks wedges and the supporting surface,

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O between multiple blocks or between the upper surface of the C( blocks and the limbs or other body portion of the user.

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IND

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10

Claims (14)

1. An exercise aid for use between a limb or other part O Z of the human body and a supporting surface; said aid o comprising one of a plurality of blocks; each block of said plurality of blocks comprising a core of stiff \O supporting material bounded by surfaces; at least one C\ of said surfaces laminated with a friction layer; said ci sD friction layer comprising material adapted to provide 0 a high coefficient of friction between said block and said supporting surface.

2. The exercise aid of claim 1 wherein said core of stiff supporting material is a polymer foam.

3. The exercise aid of claim 1 or 2 wherein said friction layer is a portion of yoga mat material.

4. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said plurality of blocks includes rectangular blocks. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said plurality of blocks includes wedge shaped blocks.

6. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said plurality of blocks includes semi-circular shaped blocks. COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 1l Nov 26005 17:12 Wa~ ngton-Dummer Sydney No 7 5 0 16 -14- INO7. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein 0 said plurality of blocks includes blocks shaped as o triang-ular prisms. a The exercise aid of any one of claims I to 7 wherein S said polymer f oam is provided in a range of densities Va of said foam.

9. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein o said plurality of blocks is provided in a range of thicknesses and sizes. 10, The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least two adjacent said surfaces of a said block are provided with said friction layer.

11. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least two opposing said surfaces of a said block are provided with said friction layer.

12. The exercise aid of anmy one of claims 1 to 10 wherein all said surfaces. of a said block are provided with said friction layer.

13. The exercise aid of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein one or more said blocks are assembled to form a composite said exercise aid; said one or mere blocks assembled so that a friction layer of any one of said blocks abuts a friction face of each adjoining block. COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:12 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.7506 P. 17 15 \O 14. A method of providing stability between an exercise o aid supporting a limb or another part of the human o body and a supporting surface; said method including a high coefficient of friction of surfaces of said aid.

15. The method of claim 14, said method including the \O steps of laminating at least one surface of said [V exercise aid with a layer of material having a high ci \O coefficient of friction. Ci 16. The method of claim 14 or 15 wherein said exercise aids are blocks formed of a polymer foam.

17. The method of any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said layer of material is a yoga mat material.

18. A method of preventing slippage of an exercise aid on a supporting surface; said exercise aid used between a limb or another part of the body and said supporting surface; said method including the step of laminating at least one surface of said exercise aid with a material having a high coefficient of friction; said material being a yoga mat material.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said exercise aids are blocks of a foam polymer material. The method of claim 19 wherein said blocks are provided in a plurality of shapes; said shapes COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10 2006 17:12 Wa lngton-Dummer Sydney N 0 -7 5 06 P 18 16 ND including wedges, rectangular and triangular prisms, 0, and semi-circular blocks. 0 z 21. An Exercise aid as herein described and with reference O to the accompanying drawings.

22. An exercise aid for use between a limb or other part O Sof the human body and a supporting surface; said aid n comprising one of a plurality of blocks; each block of cI o said plurality of blocks comprising a core of stiff 0 c supporting material bounded by surfaces; at least one of said surfaces laminated with a friction layer; said friction layer comprising material adapted to provide a high coefficient of friction between said block and said supporting surface. COMS ID No: SBMI-05323974 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:15 Date 2006-11-10