US20080020911A1 - Squatting apparatus without spinal column compression - Google Patents

Abstract

A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression, includes a platform for supporting feet of a person, a supporting structure at a height greater than that of said platform, a lever pivotally connected to said supporting structure by a hinge that allows vertical movement of the lower lever, the lower lever having an arrangement to support a weight load thereon, a cushioned backrest connected adjacent a front part of said lever to be supported on a lumbar-sacral region of the person, and handles for grasping by the person such that the person assumes a bent over position when the cushioned backrest is supported on the lumbar-sacral region of the person, without compressing shoulders or spinal column of the person.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention is an apparatus to stimulate the thigh muscles, relieving pressure on the shoulders and compression of the spinal column.
• For many years, squatting exercises were condemned by several universities worldwide, due to the force exerted on the spinal column and its structures, as well as patella pressure on the knees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The purpose of this invention is to create an apparatus to enable one to do the exercises without compressing the shoulders and spinal column by using weights or a system of plates. The device is supported on the individual's lumbar-sacral region, placing the pressure on these regions and on the thigh-femur joints, removing the weight load from the shoulders, cervical region and the rest of the spinal column, since the lumbar support is achieved with the spinal column stable and straight with no apophyseal pillars and without compressing disks, nerves, etc.
• Through this new equipment, even people with problems such as: cervical inflammation, hernias, scoliosis, lumbago, etc may once again do vigorous squatting exercises with this model and reap the benefits of an efficient and classic exercise. The comfort for the knees, ankles, thighs, femur, sacroiliac and lumbar region is absolute, even while doing the exercise. It is the only squatting apparatus on the current fitness market without a load on the shoulders, which leads to compressing all of one's internal structures such as: medulla, nerve and blood plexus, peripheral nerves, discs, ligaments, etc.
• The apparatuses used nowadays support their load on the user's shoulders and compress the spinal column, which is prohibitive for use by many people with problems in the spinal column and related areas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the drawings accompanying and compose this report,
• FIG. 1 shows a view of the apparatus in perspective showing the position of the device when initiating the exercise.
• FIG. 2 shows the method of regulating the platform.
• FIG. 3 shows the same device in the position assumed with the person in squatting position.
• FIG. 4 shows another type of device with the same purpose and in the initial position for the exercise.
• FIG. 5 shows the position assumed in the same apparatus with the person squatting.
• FIG. 6 shows a device similar toFIGS. 1,2 and3, although in a more simplified manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As may be inferred from the drawings inFIGS. 1,2 and3, the apparatus (1) has a platform preferably using metal beams over which is raised in the front part a support for the hands (2), which also works as a point of balance for the user. Immediately afterwards, we see a platform for the feet (3) made of metal or another material and whose height is adjustable as perFIG. 2. In the back part we see the part (4) that works as a repose for the three levers (5,8 and9), which are the main part of the apparatus. The lever (5) supports the ring weight load (13) and is interconnected by an adjustable telescopic part (10) to the upper structure (8 and9). The three levers (5,8 and9) move vertically at the same time and are affixed by hinges (7) to the back structure (6) that arises from the platform (1).
• The upper structure (8-9) that works as a parallelogram consequently has the front part (11) perpendicular to the floor in any position, thus firmly supporting the part (12) of the individual's body, that is, without changing position during the squatting exercise.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show a simpler and more compact device (1′) with the front part having a support for the hands (2′). Different from other devices that are part of the present invention, the platform (3′) is adjustable horizontally, raising or lowering equally and supported by the lateral supports (16′). The lever (5′) has two regulation points, one near or far depending on the user's height, the cushioned roll (12′) that rolls along the arm (5′) and the other that regulates the height of the arm (5′) over the adjustable disk (14′) that pulls the cable (15′) affixed to the plate system (13′).
• FIG. 6 shows a device functioning equal toFIGS. 1 and 2, except in order to simplify them are removed: the lever (5), the telescopic part (10), maintaining the structure (8″ and9″) that functions as a parallelogram, except that they increase the distances between the levers (8″ and9″), also increasing the length of the front part (11″) and substituting the back structure (6″) with a single part that holds the two hinges (7″).

Claims (20)

1. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression, comprising:

a platform for supporting feet of a person, a supporting structure at a height greater than that of said platform,

a first lower lever pivotally connected to said supporting structure by a hinge that allows vertical movement of the lower lever, the lower lever having an arrangement to support a weight load thereon,

second and third levers pivotally connected to said supporting structure by respective hinges above said lower lever,

an adjustable telescopic part interconnecting said lower lever to at least one of said second and third levers,

a front part connected with forward ends of said second and third levers to define a parallelogram formed with the second and third levers, and

a cushioned backrest connected with the front part to be supported on a lumbar-sacral region of the person.

2. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 1, further comprising a structure that supports the platform, and an arrangement for adjusting a horizontal height of the structure.

3. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 1, wherein the platform has a height which is fixed.

4. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 1, further comprising handles for grasping by the person such that the person assumes a bent over position when the cushioned backrest is supported on the lumbar-sacral region of the person, without compressing shoulders or spinal column of the person.

5. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 1, wherein the weight load includes ring weights.

6. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression, comprising:

a platform for supporting feet of a person,

a supporting structure at a height greater than that of said platform,

a disk rotatably mounted on an axle, the disk connected with a weight load,

an arm connected with said disk, and

a cushioned backrest connected with a free end of the arm to be supported on a lumbar-sacral region of the person.

7. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 6, wherein said disk includes an arrangement for adjusting the position of the arm and the cushioned backrest.

8. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 7, wherein said arrangement includes:

a plurality of openings in said disk,

an arm extension extending from said arm at a position of said axle, said arm extension including an opening at a free end thereof in selective alignment with said openings, and

a pin extending through said opening in said arm extension and a selected one of said openings in said disk.

9. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 8, further comprising a weight stack and a cable for connecting said disk to said weight stack.

10. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 6, further comprising a structure that supports the platform, and an arrangement for adjusting a horizontal height of the structure.

11. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 6, wherein the platform has a height which is fixed.

12. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 6, further comprising handles for grasping by the person such that the person assumes a bent over position when the cushioned backrest is supported on the lumbar-sacral region of the person, without compressing shoulders or spinal column of the person.

13. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression, comprising:

a platform for supporting feet of a person,

a supporting structure at a height greater than that of said platform,

a first lower lever pivotally connected to said supporting structure by a hinge that allows vertical movement of the lower lever, the lower lever having an arrangement to support a weight load thereon,

at least one additional lever pivotally connected to said supporting structure by at least one respective hinge above said lower lever,

a connecting part interconnecting said lower lever to said at least one additional lever, and

a cushioned backrest connected adjacent a front part of at least one said lever to be supported on a lumbar-sacral region of the person.

14. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 13, wherein said connecting part interconnects free ends of said lower lever and said at least one additional lever.

15. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 14, wherein said cushioned backrest is supported at a lower end of said connecting part.

16. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 13, further comprising a structure that supports the platform, and an arrangement for adjusting a horizontal height of the structure.

17. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 13, wherein the platform has a height which is fixed.

18. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 13, further comprising handles for grasping by the person such that the person assumes a bent over position when the cushioned backrest is supported on the lumbar-sacral region of the person, without compressing shoulders or spinal column of the person.

19. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression according toclaim 13, wherein the weight load includes ring weights.

20. A squatting apparatus without spinal column compression, comprising:

a platform for supporting feet of a person,

a supporting structure at a height greater than that of said platform,

a lever pivotally connected to said supporting structure by a hinge that allows vertical movement of the lower lever, the lower lever having an arrangement to support a weight load thereon,

a cushioned backrest connected adjacent a front part of said lever to be supported on a lumbar-sacral region of the person, and

handles for grasping by the person such that the person assumes a bent over position when the cushioned backrest is supported on the lumbar-sacral region of the person, without compressing shoulders or spinal column of the person.

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