AU654492B2

AU654492B2 - Backbone exercise device

Info

Publication number: AU654492B2
Application number: AU80630/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jean Teyssier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-06-28
Filing date: 1991-06-25
Publication date: 1994-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-25
Also published as: FR2663855B1; EP0536229A1; FR2663855A1; CA2086018A1; WO1992000053A1; JPH05507224A; AU8063091A

Description

OPT DATF: 23/01/92 AOJP DATE 27/02/92 APPLN ID P 10630 91 PCT N'UMBER PCT/FR91/00504 DEMANDE INTEKNAIHUNALt FUISLILPa tN VrKIU L)U 1KAIt Lit UU~rrKA1UN tN MAI1tKt DE BREVETS (PCT) (51) Classification internationale des brevets 5 (11) Num~ro de publication internationale: WO 92/00053 //A61H 0,A 23/02 A (43) Date de publication internationale: 9janvier 1992 (09.0 1.92) (21) Numn&ro de la demnande internationale: PCT/FR91/00504 Puhiie Avec rapport de recherchze internationale.

(22) Date de d~p6t international: 25juin 1991 (25.06.91) Donn~es relatives ?a la priorit6: 90/08427 28 juin 1990 (28.06.90) FR6 5 42 (71)(72) D~posant et inventeor: TEYSSIER, Jean [FR/FR]; 6, rue Louis-Chaumontel, F-74000 Annecy (FR).

(74) Mandataire: PONCET, Jean-Frangois; Cabinet Poncet, 7, chemn de Tillier, B.P. 317, F-74008 Annecy RP C~dex (81) Etats d~sign~s: AT (brevet europ~en), AU, BE (brevet europ~en), CA, CH (brevet europ~en), DE (brevet europ~en), DK (brevet europ~en), ES (brevet europ~en), FR (brevet europ~en), GB (brevet europ~en), GR (brevet europeen), IT (brevet europ~en), JP, LUJ (brevet europ~en), NL (brevet europeen), SE (brevet europeen), US.

(54) Title: BACKBONE EXERCISE DEVICE (54) Titre: SUPPORT D'EXERCICE POUR COLONNE VERTEBRALE 18 15 20 3 9 10 13 17 16 2 5 47 8611919111412 (57) Abstract The ex~ercise device comprises a hollow rigid tube wrapped in a layer of structural foam A vibrating sub-assembly is centrally housed in the tube, a source of electricity is housed at a first end (10) of the tube, and a power supply control device (15) is housed at the other end of the tube. The exercise device can be used as an axial back support unit for a user and provides spinal relaxation, care and rehabilitation.

(57) Abrig6 Le support d'exercice selon 1'invention comprend un tube rigide creux recouvert d'une couche p~riph~rique de mousse peau Un sous-ensemble vibrant est log6 A 1'int~rieur du tube en position centrale, une ;ource dlenergie 6lectrique est log~e A la premiere extr~mit6 (10) du tube, des moyens de commande d'alimentation (15) sont logos AX la seconde extr~mit6 (16) du tube. Le support d'exercice peut consfituer un 61 ment d'appui dorsal axial pour un utilisateur, et permet la celaxation, 1'entretien ou la r~ducation de la colonne vertibrale.

1 EXERCISER FOR VERTEBRAL COLUMN The present invention relates to an apparatus intended to be used, in particular, in order to relax, treat or rehabilitate the vertebral column.

In order to perform these functions, toning tables are known which are used to obtain a sloping posture. The user's back is supported by the flat surface of the table and is subjected to vibrations generated by the table. Nevertheless, it is apparent that such a device only produces a mediocre effect in terms of stretching and rehabilitating spinal curvatures.

A large number of devices are also known which are intended to be a backrest for rehabilitation or relaxation of the back. For example, document US-A-2 343 204 describes a support that has a convex longitudinal profile and a concave transverse profile which is intended to support the vertebral column over its entire length. The user's back rests against the support on the two lateral areas of the column because of the concave transverse profile of the support. In document US-A-4 350 152, the support also has a convex longitudinal profile and a linear transverse profile. The user's back also rests against the support on the two lateral areas either side of the spinal column. Thus the known devices support the back by the lateral areas of the back either side of the spinal column.

The problem proposed by the present invention is to significantly enhance the effect obtained by implementing the following two concepts: A vertebral coiumn resting against a flat surface is supported mainly by the muscular areas located either side of the spinal column; as a 2 result, the known devices have no direct action on the vertebral column itself and this is probably a reason for the lack of effectiveness of such known devices; the task is therefore to design a facility that supports the spinous processes more directly with support of the lateral muscular areas of the back being reduced or avoided; it must therefore be possible to position the entire spinal column in a horiznntal position so that it rests on the area of the posterior spinous processes in a controlled manner. In addition, this must make it possible, to achieve expansion of the ribs during breathing movements made by the ribcage.

When the back is supported by a flat surface such as a known toning table, the back is in a state of rest and is subjected to the vibrations generated by the table in a passive manner. It is assumed that this passiveness is the second cause of the mediocre nature of the effects obtained using known devices.

In order to avoid these drawbacks, the invention intends to design an apparatuo that obliges the user to adopt a balanced posture so as to stimulate the joints, nerves and muscles. By using natural reflexes, this encourages stressing and active working of all the joint and peri-articulation structures that depend on the spinal column.

In order to achieve these objects as well as others, the exerciser for the vertebral column in accordance with the present invention consists of a body having part of its external surface which is lengthened and intended to form an upper support surface facing upwards on which the user's vertebral column can be aligned and supported. In accordance with the invention: The said upper support surface is generally cylindrical with an essentially linear longitudinal -3profile, The said upper support surface has a convex transverse profile of which the radius of curvature near the summit generating line is approximately 3 to 12 cm inclusive.

In this way, the user can support his back along the cylindrical body and the posterior spinous processes then come into contact with the upper surface of the cylindrical body; the curvature of the convex transverse profile of the said upper surface makes it possible to completely avoid the lateral muscular areas of the user's back. The spinal column is then supported, in a controlled manner on the area of the posterior spinous processes, i.e. is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder in an attempt to achieve stability. The relaxing effect obtained is considerable. An immediate pain-killing effect is felt in the case of cervical, dorsal and lumbar back pains due to the "vertebral release" effect. By encouraging the movement of ribs because they are not maintained in position by the cylindrical body, this improves the muscle development effects on muscles throughout the trunk and, in particular, abdominal muscles in the static, dynamic and short position. This also improves the sense of balance at the level of muscle proprioceptor torques and improves muscle tone.

Ideally, a generally cylindrical body can be used of which the length exceeds the length of the vertebral column of an adult male. In this way the entire spinal column can be supported by the apparatus.

Preferably, the upper surface of the generally cylindrical body consists of a layer of material capable of elastic deformation that is applied over a 4 rigid base. The elasticity of the material is selected so that the load-bearing spinous processes in the vertebral column that are supported by the exerciser sink into the elastic material to an approximate depth of 3 to 7 mm inclusive. This makes it possible to divide up the mechanical forces to support the user over a sufficiently large surface area of the back whilst nevertheless limiting the areas of contact to only those areas that are immediately adjacent the spinous processes. Such an effect can be obtained, for instance, by using a structural foam made of polyurethane, polyethylene or ethyl vinyl acetate that can be modified or unmodified, cross linked or not cross linked, with or without resilient memory, roughly 5 to 50 mm thick and of appropriate density to obtain the required mechanical resistance and elasticity properties, e.g.

approximately 5 to 100 kg per cubic metre.

The rigid base underneath the layer of material capable of elastic deformation must be sufficiently rigid to ensure that the ends of the exerciser remain pressed against the flat floor when the entire weight of the user's body is supported by the central part.

Ideally one can use a cylindrical body consisting of a rigid cylindrical rotating core of which the external surface is covered by a surface layer of the said material capable of elastic deformation.

Alternatively, one can produce a generally cylindrical solid body made of a relatively deformable material, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene or any other material that allows the load-bearing spinous processes to sink into the apparatus appropriately.

5 In one useful embodiment, the exerciser in accordance with the invention also includes internal vibrating components in order to make the cylindrical body vibrate. For instance, one can design such an exerciser which consists of a cylindrical tube made of aluminium having a diamettex of 60 to 160 mm inclusive of which the central part contains a vibrator subassembly that is joined to the inside wall of the tube. Control and power supply facilities make it possible to adjust the frequency of the vibration, its amplitude and may be used to set vibration cycles that consist of periods of rest and periods of operation.

Particularly good therapeutic results were surprisingly and unexpectedly obtained by using, in the exerciser in accordance with the invention, internal vibrating components that produce a particular movement of vibration consisting of a first unidirectional linear vibration component and a second axial rotary vibration component with the first linear vibration component being directed along a radial plane of the exerciser and the second rotary component being exerted around the long tudinal axis of the exerciser; the exerciser is then used in a direction whereby the unidirectional linear vibration component is essentially perpendicular to the average general plane of the user's back.

Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an exerciser according to one embodiment of the present invention; 6 Figure 2 is a cross section illustrating the relative positions of the back and the exerciser when the back is supported along the longitudinal axis of the exerciser; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mounting that can be used tq support the exerciser; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exeruiser supported by two mountings; Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the mountings together with an exerciser; Figures 6 to 8 illustrate three postures in which the exerciser can be used when the user is lying on his/her back; Figure 9 illustrates another posture in which the exerciser can be used; Figure 10 illustrates use of the exerciser to obtain action on the soles of the feet; Figure 11 illustrates another possible use of the exerciser with the user balancing on both feet; Figure 12 illustrates another use of the exerciser where the user's back is supported crosswise and rolled on the exerciser; Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of an exerciser according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a cross section of the exerciser in Figure 13 along plane A-A; Figure 15 shows a longitudinal section of the internal structure of a rotary actuator that constitutes the motor in a vibrating component in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the structure of a vibrating component according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 7 Figure 17 shows the schematic circuit diagram of an exerciser according to the invention that has a vibrating component that is electrically driven.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the exerciser in accordance with the invention consists of a rigid cylindrical core in the form of a tube 1 with an essentially circular cross section ideally having a diameter of 60 to 160 mm inclusive and a length of 80 to 120 cm inclusive. Tube 1 has an external moulded-on surface consisting of a continuous external surface layer 2 of structural foam that is 5 to 50 mm thick having a density of to 100 kg inclusive per cubic meter.

In the embodiment in Figure 1, inside tube i, the central area accommodates a vibrator subassembly 3. The vibrator subassembly 3 shown consists of a d.c. electric motor 4 that is partially embedded in a block of high-density rubber 5 whose peripheral surface rests against the inside face 6 of tube 1.

Motor shaft 7 extends outside the block of highdensity rubber 5 and rotates at least one off-centred weight 8. The rotation speed of the off-centred weight is ideally 50 to 80 revolutions per second.

The d.c. motor 4 is powered by an electric power source 9, e.g. consisting of a rechargeable battery that is housed in one of the ends 10 of the tube. In the embodiment shown, the rechargeable battery is partially embedded in a block of highdensity rubber 11 that seals off end 10 of the tube inside the said tube. External battery charger 12, equipped with means of connection 13, may be connected to an appropriate connector 14 that is electrically linked to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge the said battery as required.

8 A motor power supply control device 15 is fitted in the second end 16 of tube 1 and, for example, is accommodated in a block of high-density rubber 17 that seals the second end 16 of tube 1.

Motor power supply control device 15 consists of an electronic circuit card 18 and various display and control devices such as selector switches used to vary the electric power obtained from the rechargeable battery that is applied to d.c. motor 4.

In this way, control device 15 consists of selector switches to transmit electric power from the rechargeable battery to d.c. motor 4 or in order to interrupt the transmission of power, thus causing the motor to rotate or stop. Control device 15 ideally includes means of timing in order to produce operating cycles consisting of alternating periods when the motor runs and the motor stops. For instance, one might usefully define the following cycles: Cycle number 1: pause 1 minute vibration seconds pause 1 minute vibration 1 minute pause 30 seconds vibration 1 minute stQ..

Cycle number 2: pause 30 seconds vibration 1 minute pause 30 seconds vibration 1.5 minutes pause 30 seconds vibration 2 minutes stop.

Cycle number 3: pause 1 minute vibration 4 minutes stop.

Control device 15 may ideally include means of adjusting the power supply voltage of d.c. electric motor 4 in order to adjust the speed of the motor and weight 8 between at least a first speed at which the enritire tube 1 and the components that it contains vibrate at half-wave, both ends 10 and 16 being vibration nodes and the centre of tube I being an antinode and a second speed at which the entire tube 9 and the components that it contains vibrate at a full wave with both ends 10 and 16 and the centre of the tube being three antinodes.

The electric power supplied by the rechargeable battery is routed to control device by first electric conductors 19 ard this power is then transmitted from control device 15 to electric motor 4 by second Selector switches that can be acceed from the external surface of block 17 allow the user to select the operating cycles and modes of d.c. motor 4.

Figure 2 is a partial diagrammatic cross section of the upper support surface 41 having a convex transverse profile with the user's back being axially supported on the exerciser according to the invention, The user's back 21 is shown schematically with a posterior spinous process 22 and the lateral muscle areas 23 and 24. Posterior spinous process 22 is supported by the exerciser according to the invention that consists of a rigid tube 1 and a layer of material 2 that is capable of elastic deformation.

The layer of material 2 that is capable of elastic deformation is deformned by posterior spinous process 22 as shown in the Figure and spinous process 22 sinks in to a depth of 3 to 7 mm inclusive. The area of contact for the back on the exerciser according to the invention is therefore defined only by the area that is adjacent to posterior spinous process 22 and lateral muscle areas 23 and 24 of the back are not supported.

Figures 13 to 17 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the exerciser according to the present invention. These Figures show the main component parts of the exerciser in Figure i, namely a tube 1 10 having an essentially circular cross section of which the external surface is covered by an external surface layer 2 of foam and inside which a vibrator subassembly 3 is accommodated. Tube 1 can be made of a rigid plastic material, e.g. polyvinyl chloride.

The external surface layer of foam 2 can be a structural foam having a density of 5 to 100 kg per cubic metre, for example, it can be made of polyester having an approximate density of 50 kg per cubic metre. Two end shields 11 and 17 made of high-density rubber seal the ends of tube 1. An electric power source 9 is housed inside tube 1 in order to power vibrator subassembly 3. For example, electric power source 9 is accommodated in tube 1 close to the first end shield 11. The second end shield 17 accommodates various control and signalling components, e.g. a power-on indicator lamp 30, an on/off switch 31, a connector 14 as an adapter for an external electric power source, an electronic circuit card 18 that accommodates the components of the control circuit.

In this embodiment, vibrator subassembly 3 consists of an electromagnetic actuator that drives a moving weight with an alternating movement of vibration in respon.se to a.c. electric power supplied by a generator. The electromagnetic actuator can be of the linear or rotary type.

A rotary actuator may be preferred, for example one such as that shown in the Figures, because it makes it possible to obtain relatively high vibration amplitudes without any major problem in fixing the moving weights. In the embodiment shown in Figures 13, 15 and 16, vibrator subassembly 3 consists of a rotary electromagnetic actuator of the motor torque type consisting of a stator 33 and a rotor 34. Rotor 34 is mounted on stator 33 so that it 0 4X- 11 rotates around an axis of rotation B-B that is oriented longitudinally in the body of the exerciser.

Stator 33 consists of nousing 39 that encloses an oper. magnetic circuit 40 made of a highpermeability material and an electric winding 41 that creates a magnetic flux in magnetic circuit 40. The front surface of housing 39 is open and exposes two front end faces of magnetic circuit 40 with the said front surfaces constituting the first pole of stator 42 and a second pole of stator 43, which are coplanar.

Rotor 34 consists of an armature 52 made of a high-permeability material that is associated with an axially magnetized crown that has a succession of pairs of magnetic poles that are magnetized in alternate directions such as rotor poles 44 and The rotor poles constitute the face of rotor 34 opposite the front face of stator 33. Preferably, the diameter of the magnetized crown that forms the rotor poles such as poles 44 and 45 is essentially equal to the diameter of the portion of the front face of stator 33 occupied by the stator poles such as poles 42 and 43.

The middle part of the front faces each opposite stator 33 and rotor 34 is occupied by the mechanical link between stator 33 and rotor 34.

Ideally, this mechanical link may consist of a simple thrust ball bearing 46 against which rotor 34 is forced by the magnetic attraction of the magnets forming the magnetic disc of rotor 34 and the attraction force of the electromagnet formed by magnetic circuit 40 and electric winding 41. A small gap 47 is left between stator poles 42 and 43 and rotor poles 44 and In addition to the electromagnetic actuator, vibrator subassembly 3 consists of a support rod 4 4 12 and a return spring 36. Return spring 36 is, for example, a helical spring that is coaxial with the axis of rotation B-B of rotor 34 with its first end 37 being attached to the free end of support rod and its second end 38 being attached to rotor 34.

Spring 36 has a dual effect and returns rotor 34, by rotating it, to an idle position in both directions of rotation of rotor 34.

Rotor 34 forms the moving weight of vibrator subassembly 3. A first possibility is to provide a balanced moving weight, i.e. without any off-centring with respect to axis of rotation B-B.

However, one can usefully provide a rotor or moving weight that is off-centred with respect to axis of rotation B-B with off-centring being achieved, for example, by weight 48 that is joined to rotor 34 and laterally offset in a determined offset direction C when rotor 34 is in its idle position.

Direction C determines the preferred direction of the vibration, of the device as explained later.

Stator electric winding 41 is powered by an a.c. generator fitted in power source 9. Figure 17 diagrammatically illustrates the schematic circuit diagram of this power source 9. Power source 9 consists, in particular, of a rechargeable battery 53 that delivers d.c. electric power to generator 54 which generates a.c. signals. The output signals present on output 55 of generator 54 are amplified by power amplifier 56 and are routed by conductors 57 to the electric winding 41 of stator 33. Selecto;.. switch 31 which was mentioned in Figure 13 can, for instance, be series connected with battery 53 in order to switch on or switch off the power supply of generator 54.

A priori, one can power stator 33 with any form of a.c. power, e.g. with a sinusoidal, square '4 13 wave or ramp waveform. However, a sinusoidal waveform is preferred because this makes it possible to obtain pure vibration of vibrator subassembly 3.

Battery 53 can be removed and recharged. It may, however, be replaced by a power cord that is connected to an external d.c. power source.

The operation of vibrator subassembly 3 according to this embodiment is as follows: it receives a sinusoidal a.c. voltage on input conductors 57, stator electric windii g 41 produces, in gap 47, a sinusoidal magnetic field. Rotor 34 is then driven around its axis B-B with a sinusoidal rotational movement in a direction opposite to thc restoring force exerted by spring 36.

The angular amplitude of the movement of rotation of rotor 34 is adjusted by the amplitude of the a.c. voltage supplied on conductors 57 by amplifier 56. This amplitude can ideally be adjusted, e.g. by modifying the gain of amplifier 56 by applying a signal that is present on input 58. The signal on input 58 can be produced, for instance, by a receiver 59 that receives electromagnetic signals sent by a transmitter 60. Transmitter 60 and receiver 59 constitute a remote control unit that can be operated by the user. Alternatively, transmitter and receiver 59 can be replaced by a potenticmeter that is accessible on end shield 17 and can be used to deliver a setpoint voltage on input 58 of amplifier 56. The remote control unit may usefully be adapted in order to control the operation and switching off of vibrator subassembly 3.

The vibrating assembly consisting of rotor 34 and its return spring 36 has a natural oscillation frequency of which the value depends on the moment of inertia of the rotor and the stiffness of the spring.

14 The natural frequency should preferably be 3elected so that it is as close as possible to the desired vibration frequency of the exerciser for the planned applications. Variation of the vibration frequency can be obtained by adjusting the frequency of generator 54 by operating a potentiometer or operating remote control unit 59 and Rotation of rotor 34 around its axis B-B, an alternating rotation as shown by the double arrow 49 in Figure 16, produces a rotary vibration effect that is represented by arrow 50 in Figure 14 and this vibration is impressed on the entire exerciser according to the invention. For a user whose vertebral column is supported by the upper generating line of the exerciser, this rotary vibration 50 is a horizontal transverse vibration.

If rotor 34 is also off-centred, including, for instance, a weight 48, alternating rotation 49 of rotor 34 produces a linear vibration component in direction H-H which is perpendicular to direction C in which the offset of rotor 34 is oriented in its idle position. The exerciser according to the invention is ideally oriented so as to position direction H-H 7erticallr. This vibration then produces a linear vibrat ion component 51 that is shown in Figure 14.

Naturally, the number of poles of the stator and rotor can be modified in accordance with techniques well known to the specialist. Regardless of the number of poles, such a vibrator subassembly 3 structure with a rotary actuator offers a large number of advantages compared with a motor-driven vibrator subassembly. In particular, this vibrator subassembly with a rotary actuator makes it possible to produce sequenced vibration that only has a rotary 15 component 50 and a linear component 51 in the preferred direction selected to achieve optimum therapeutic effectiveness of the exerciser according to the invention. In addition, this vibrator subassembly 3 structure significantly reduces or practically eliminates wear due to rotation of rotor 34 which is itself subjected to the forces exerted by weight 48. This structure also makes it possible to reduce the noise of rotation compared with a motordriven solution. In addition, this structure allows easy adjustment of the vibration amplitude without modifying its frequency. It is understood that if the vibrating component is a motor, the speed must be varied in order to modify the amplitude and this simultaneously causes frequency modification which may negate the desired therapeutic effects. In addition, if a motor is used, the vibration energy is distributed in all radial directions instead of being concentrated in those directions that provide a significant therapeutic effect.

With such a structure, the oscillation frequency of the vibrator subassembly can be 15 to Hz inclusive. Excellent therapeutic results have been obtained with an oscillation frequency of preferably 30 to 40 Hz inclusive, e.g. 37 He approx.

The inventor has observed that such an exerciser structure including a vibrator subassembly with a rotary actuator makes it possible to obtain clearly improved therapeutic results. These improvements can be explained as follows: the rotary vibration component creates micro unbalances in the average unstable position of equilibrium of the user's back located on the upper generating line of the exerciser with the exerciser being placed on the floor. These micro unbalances are registered by 16 proprioceptors in the ligaments of joint systems in the vertebral column of the user which then send nerve impulses tu the muscles to compensate these micro unbalances. This results in muscular hyperactivity in an attempt to stabilize maintenance of posture and promotes improvement of the body structure. This increases metabo'ism, oxygenation and vascularization of all the trunk muscles and this has the immediate effect of suppressing the sideration in the entire medullary sheath and its tree structures.

The vertical vibration component causes settling at the level of curves and facilitates the reduction of exaggerated curvature such as lumbar lordosis, dorsal kyphosis and cervical lordosis. This results in general stress relief and an increase in vascularization.

In all the embodiments, it is useful to provide a layer of malerial 2 capable of elastic deformation having a heterogeneous structure that includes, for instance, fluid and/or solid inclusions, particularly magnets. Tl-, difference in density of the materials in said layer 2 produces a massaging effect. One can, for instance, provide inclusions in the form of vesicles having an average diameter of 5 to 10 mm if foam layer 2 is 20 to 25 mm thick.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an accessory that can be used in association with the exerciser shown in Figure i. This accessory is a mounting 25 consisting of a rigid essentially parallelepiped-shaped block having an opening 26 that is shaped to accommodate the body of the exerciser.

One of the lateral faces 27 of mounting 25 is concave (hollow cylindrical shape) and forms a cradle which can support the cylindrical body of the exerciser.

17 For example, in Figure 4, the cylindrical body of the exerciser can be inserted through two mountings 25 and 251 with the said mountings 25 and 251 standing on the floor on their edge so that the cylindrical body is kept away from the floor, e.g. in order to improve the possibilities of vibration.

Similarly, in Figure 5, the cylindrical body of the exerciser is supported on two mountings and 251 that are both placed flat on the floor with their concave faces such as face 27 pointing upwards so that they accommodate the lower lateral surface of the cylindrical body.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 or 13, the exerciser according to the invention consists of a vibrator subassembly 3 and means of power supply and control. The embodiments with a vibrator subassembly 3 make it possible to obtain information transmitted to all the neuro-receptors in muscles, tendons and ligaments that are part of all the various joint systems in the vertebral column.

However, within the scope of the invention, one can design a more simplified exerciser consisting only of tube i, external layer of material 2 capable of elastic deformation without any vibrating component or power supply or control device. The exerciser is then a purely static apparatus but can nevertheless be used effectively to obtain significant effects.

Equally, one can provide a generally cylindrical body 40 according to the invention having a cross section that is not circular. For example, one might usefully provide a flat surface on a portion of the periphery of the body, the said flat surface constituting a preferred support surface on the floor that counters any rotation or movement of the body.

.,4 18 Figures 6 to 12 illustrate various ways of using the exerciser according to the invention regardless whether it is an exerciser with or without a vibrating component 3.

In Figure 6, the user is lying lengthwise with his/her back on the exerciser and rests with his/her posterior spinous processes on the exerciser. The legs are bent and the feet are on the floor.

In Figure 7, the user is in a position that is relatively similar to that in Figure 6 with his/her legs bent upwards in order to eliminate any hollow in the back.

In Figure 8, the position is similar to that in Figure 7 but the legs are stretched upwards.

In Figure 9, the user has arranged the exerciser in a crosswise position and the cervical area is supported by the upper surface.

In Figure 10, the user is sitting on chair and rests the soles of his/her feet on the exerciser.

In Figure 11, the exerciser is supported on two mountings 25 and 251 and the user is standing upright on the exerciser.

In Figure 12, the user has placed the exerciser on the floor crosswise relative to his/her own body and is supported by the dorsal area. The user may roll the exerciser in order to modify the area of dorsal contact.

In the embodiments shown in the Figures, tube 1 is of single-piece construction. Nevertheless, one can design an apparatus consisting of two sections that can be disassembled, thus allowing them to be assembled in line for use and disassembled for transport.

The apparatus according to the invention allows many exercises using the effects of rolling r 19 whilst keeping or not keeping the vibration system running. By its nature, the apparatus is very lightweight and rugged. It is intended for use by the general public including the elderly and persons who have back injuries once lesions have healed.

Finally, it should be noted that the particular vibrator subassembly stracture with an electromagnetic actuator, moving weight and elastic return spring may have interesting therapeutic applications when combined with an exerciser structure that is different from that described in the Figures. In particular, one may usefully combine it with an exerciser having an upper surface 41 that is not cylindrical or that does not have a convex shape with a radius of curvature of 3 to 12 cm inclusive.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments that are explicitly described and includes the various alternatives and generalizations contained in the claims below.

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Claims

1. An exercise frame for the human vertebral column, consisting of a frame body provided with an upwards facing elongated section of its outer surface, which is intended to be used as an upper support surface, and with which the vertebral column of a user can be aligned and supported, characterised in that: the said upper support surface is generally cylindrical with a substantially linear longitudinal profile, the said upper support surface has a length in the range from 80 to 120 centimetres and a convex transverse profile whose radius of curvature in the vicinity of the generatrix at the highest point of the curve is approximately 3 to 12 centimetres.

2. An exercise frame according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper support surface is formed by a layer of elastically deformable material applied over a rigid base, the material elasticity being chosen so that the vertebral column spinous processes supported by the exercise frame sink into the elastically deformable material to a depth of between roughly 3 to 7 millimetres.

3. An exercise frame according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the base is sufficiently rigid so that the ends of the exercise frame remain flat on the level floor when a user is supported by it with his entire weight in the middle e section of the exercise frame. 20

4. An exercise frame according to claim 2, characterised in that t'e frame :''body is generally cylindrical and consists of a rigid cylindrical core covered by a superficial layer of the said elastically deformable material.

5. An exercise frame according to claim 2 or claim 4, characterised in that the said elastically deformable superficial layer consists of a resilient memory structural foam of between roughly 5 to 50 millimetres thickness, and a density of approximately 5 to 100 kilograms per cubic metre.

6. An exercise frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the cylindrical frame body has a substantially circular cross-section.

7. An exercise frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it further includes intenlal vibrating components to cause the cylindrical body to vibrate.

8. An exercise frame according to claim 7, characterised in that it includes: a cylindrical tube made from a rigid material, a vibrating subassembly, housed in the tube in the vicinity of its middle section, and firmly joined to the internal wall of the tube, an external superficial layer of structural foam covering the external surface of the tube, tGie foam having a thickness of between approximately 5 to 50 millimetres and a density of between approximately 5 to 100 kilograms per cubic metre.

9. An exercise frame according to claim 8, characterised in that: [N:\LIBHH0010G:RLF -21 the vibrating subassembly includes a d.c. electric motor partially embedded in a high-density rubber block whose peripheral surface rests against the internal face of the tube, the motor shaft drives at least one eccentric weight at a rotational speed of between approximately 50 to 80 revolutions per second, a source of electrical power, which supplies the motor, is housed at one end of the tube.

An exercise frame according to claim 8, characterised in that: an a.c. power generator, housed in the frame body and supplied by a d.c. power source, produces a.c. power intended to supply the vibrating subassembly, the vibrating subassembly comprises an electromagnetic actuator 'which drives a moving mass with an alternating vibratory motion in reaction to the a.c. power received from the said generator, the moving mass is acted on by a return spring which tends to restore it to its starting position.

11. An exercise frame according to claim 10, characterised in that: the moving mass is mounted so that it rotates around an axis of rotation (B- B) which is longitudinal to the frame body, the moving mass is offset with respect to the said rotational axis in a 20 direction of displacement determined in its starting position, the electrorragnetic actuator is a rotary actuator.

12. An exercise frame according to claim 11, characterised in that the a.c. power generator supplies the rotary electromagnetic actuator with an esserJ-ally sinusoidal a.c. supply voltage whose frequency is approximately equal to dth, natural oscillation frequency of the offset moving mass which is acted on by the return spring.

13. An exercise frame according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that it also includes means for controlling and adjusting the electrical power supplied to the vibrating subassembly, in order to control and adjust the vibratory amplitude of the vibrating subassembly without changing its frequency of oscillation.

14. An exercise frame according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characteriscd in that the oscillation frequency of the vibrating subassembly lies in the range of 15 to Hertz.

An exercise frame according to claim 14, characterised in that the oscillation frequency of the vibrating subassembly lies in the range of 30 to 40 Hertz, and advantageously is about 37 Hertz.

16. An exercise frame according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterised in that: the power source comprises a rechargeable electrical battery, IN;\LIBHH]00106:RLF -22- a control device is housed in the second end of the tube, in order to control the switching on or off of the motor or the electromagnetic actuator.

17. An exercise frame according to claim 10, characterised in that the control device includes a timing means to produce operating cycles which include alternate periods of vibration and rest.

18. An exercise frame according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that it also includes two supports each consisting of a parallelepiped-shaped block with an opening shaped to accommodate the cylindrical frame body so that the cylindrical frame body can be supported by its two mountings placed or, the floor on their edge.

19. An exercise frame according to claim 18, characterised in that the mountings have a concave lateral face forming a cradle-like cylindrical recess to accommodate a portion of the lateral surface of the cylindrical frame body in such a way that the cylindrical body can be supported by its two mountings placed flat on the floor.

20. An exercise frame for the human vertebral column consisting of a frame body provided with an upwards facing elongated iection of its outer surface, which is intended to be used as an upper support surface, and with which the vertebral cominn of a user can be aligned and supported, with the said upper support surface being generally cylindrical with a o: 20 substantially linear longitudinal profile, the said upper support surface having a length in the range from 80 to 120 centimetres and a convex transverse profile whose radius of curvature in the vicinity of the generatrix at the highest point of the curve is approximately 3 to 12 t centimetres. 25

21. An exercise frame, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. o: DATED this Second Day of September 1994 Jean Teyssier Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON (N:\LIBHH100I106:RLF