ALL-PURPOSE DEVICE FOR UNDERWATER THERAPY, EXERCISE AND MASSAGE
The object of the invention is an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise (fitness) and massage, which we install on a swimming pool wall. By means of different gears and hinged components movable in one direction, it enables one to perform various limbering-up exercises of the whole body in water. Water presents a natural resistance in workout, thus it is not necessary to make additional adjustments to individual devices for different strengths of a user. The invention is classified to class A 63 B 21/00 of the international patent classification.
The technical problem, which the hereby-proposed invention successfully resolves, is a construction and implementation of such a device that will enable limbering-up and at the same time massage of the whole body at the least harmful burdening of the body. For strengthening and limbering-up of individual parts of the body it is possible to use individually constructed devices to exercise, such as e.g. bicycles for dry workout, which have gears that can be set to different strengths of a user.
In addition there exist devices for limbering-up of arms and the whole body, at which their individual parts, e.g. gears or parts of the devices, that enable limbering-up, are realized by means of complicated mechanisms for placing different burdens (the device for dry rowing). Such devices are usually gathered in fitness centres, where people sweat and air is fusty, therefore such exercise is not pleasant.
The all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention basically consists of two vertical carriers, located in the swimming pool and attached to its edge with suitable fastening components, whereas one of the carriers is fixed and the other is vertically movable and to which height adjustable assemblies are installed for limbering-up of upper and lower extremities and the whole body in the sense of exercise and massage. In such way, by adding separate exercise and massage assemblies, it is possible to construct different independent exercise devices by each having one exercise and one massage assembly.
The user of the device according to the invention begins with exercise in such a way that by means of the horizontal carrier he or she places the device inside water, sits down on the seat of the exercise device and adjusts the height of the seat so that he or she is up to the shoulders in water. At such set-up an adequate exercise resistance of water to the body is achieved.
After completion of exercise it is possible in a simple manner by means of the horizontal carrier to pull out the device according to the invention from water and thus enabling unhindered usage of the swimming pool to other users.
The all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage is explained in detail on the basis of an example of implementation and the enclosed images, from which:
Figure 1 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater exercise and relaxation according to the invention from a side view and in a position for exercise - the first set of exercise tools;
Figure 2 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater exercise and relaxation according to the invention and the first example of implementation from a side view and in position for exercise - the second set of exercise tools;
Figure 3 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater exercise and relaxation according to the invention and the first example of implementation from a front view and in a position for exercise.
Figure 4 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a side view in a position for exercise according to the second example of implementation;
Figure 5 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a front view in a position for exercise according to the second example of implementation; Figure 6 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a side view in a position for exercise according to the third example of implementation;
Figure 7 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a front view in a position for exercise according to the third example of implementation;
Figure 8 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a side
view in a position for exercise according to the fourth example of implementation; Figure 9 exhibits an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a front view in a position for exercise according to the fourth example of implementation;
The all-purpose device for underwater exercise and relaxation according to the invention from a side view and in a position for exercise, the first set of exercise tools shown in Figure 1 and the second set of exercise tools shown in Figure 2 representing two sets of separate exercise tools, which are interconnected by two horizontal axes 4 and 19. Each of the assemblies consists of two vertical carriers, namely a fixed carrier 8, a movable carrier 7 in the first assembly and a fixed carrier 8', a movable carrier 7' in the second assembly. The vertical carrier 8 of the first set of tools is attached to the horizontal carrier 3 on the upper side via a connecting component 5, while the vertical carrier 8' of the second set of tools is attached to the horizontal carrier 3' on the upper side via a connecting component 5', whereas they are connected between each other by an axis 4. On the lower side the fixed vertical carrier 8 is attached to the lath 18 and the fixed vertical carrier 8' to the lath 18', whereas these laths 18, 18' are connected between each other by a horizontal axis 19. The movable carrier 7 or 7' is movably installed on the upper side via an adjustable connecting regulator 6 or 6', which is installed at the end of the horizontal carrier 3 or 3'. Installed on both vertical carriers 7, 7' and 8, 8' are seoarate assemblies B. C. D and F for limherinn-iin and r.nmnnnf.nts
A and E for massage. All assemblies and components are height adjustable.
The all-purpose device for underwater therapy and relaxation according to the invention is suspended with a horizontal axis 4 on the upper side from two carriers 2, 2', each one of them being attached to their respective supporting plates 1 , 1', which are screwed on to the edge 28 of the swimming pool. On the lower side, the all-purpose device for underwater exercise and relaxation according to the invention is pressing with two rings 20, 20' attached to the horizontal axis 1 against the wall 27 of the swimming pool. Individual assemblies B, C, D and F of the all-purpose device are constructed and formed with regard to their purpose, their regulating carriers 12, 14, 26 having shaped two openings, which enable installation of individual assemblies B, C, D or F on the vertical axes 7,7' and 8, 8' and their respective fixation. Assembly B represents the upper gear designed for limbering-up and massage of arms, as well as limbering-up of the upper part of the body. It consists of a regulating carrier 12, two arm-shaped components 11 , two handles 10, and attached on the upper side but revolving component A for massage, a massage cylinder 9. An exercise is carried out in such way that we take our place on the seat 13, hold on to both handles 10 and spin them round. Because of the special form of the handles 10, in addition to limbering-up and strengthening of arm muscles and the upper part of the body we massage the fingers at the same time. The axes on which the
at a 5° angle or higher, which can also be seen from Figure 3. The palms can be massaged separately on a massage cylinder 9. The height of the assembly B is set via the regulating carrier 12.
Assembly C represents a simulation of a bicycle designed for limbering- up of legs and the lower part of the body. It consists of a carrier 17, arm- shaped components 16 and pedals 15. Assembly C is rigidly attached with a connecting component 29 to a movable vertical carrier 7 and movably to a vertical carrier 8. In this way by moving the vertical carrier 7 up and down via an adjustable connecting component 6 on a horizontal carrier 3 we set the desired height of assembly C. An exercise is carried out in the same way as in case of an indoor bicycle, thus we sit down on the seat 13 and spin the pedals 15 at an appropriate speed. Stepping on to the pedals 15 is simple because both pedals 15 are, due to the material they are made of and which is lighter than water, always in the horizontal position with regard to the axis to which the arm-shaped components 16 are attached to and also in the horizontal position with regard to the axis on which they revolve. At the same time we can carry out both exercises, hence spin round the handles 10 and pedals 15.
A user of assemblies B and C sits on a seat 13, which is attached to the regulating carrier 14 that enables adjusting the seat 13 by height.
Assembly D represents a simulation of rowing and is designed for limbering-up of the upper part of the body. It consists of a regulating carrier 26, two paddles 21 and a seat 13'. Its height can be adjusted by
that we take our place on the seat 13', hold on to the paddles 21 and push them, pulling forward and backward. An opening in the paddles 21 , where we hold them with our hands, is simultaneously suitable for massage of hand fingers. Prior to the beginning of the exercise, the paddles 21 are, due to the material they are made of and which is lighter than water, in the vertical position and return to the vertical position upon usage on their own.
Assembly F represents a simulation of walking upwards and is designed for limbering-up of legs and the lower part of the body as well as feet massage. It consists of a carrier component 23, two foot-pedals 24, a restraining component 25, a component for massage E set in a transverse direction, two revolving cylinders 22 for foot massage. The carrier 23 is rigidly attached to a movable carrier 7'. By moving the carrier 7' up and down the desired height of the assembly F is set. An exercise is carried out in such way that we sit down on the seat 13' and lean on to both foot- pedals 24 with our legs. Alternately the foot-pedals 24 are pushed downwards. Due to the material they are made of and which is lighter than water, they return on their own to the initial position, which is defined by the restraining component 25. Because of an opening at the position of the toes, their massage is carried out simultaneously.
The feet are massaged on massage cylinders 22. The height of the assembly F is set by moving the vertical carrier 7' up and down via an adjustable connecting component 6' on the horizontal carrier 3. The user
by means of a regulating carrier 26. On this device both exercises D and F can be carried out simultaneously, too.
An all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention according to the second, third and fourth example of implementation basically comprises following basic components: a vertical fixed carrier 10, a vertical movable carrier 20, a fastening supportive assembly comprising of a fastening plate 30, an axis 40, an arm-shaped component 50 and a horizontal carrier 60 with a spring 70, a lean-on component 80 with a rubber ring 90, a seat 100 with a carrier 110 and a spring 120 for height regulation.
A vertical fixed carrier 10 is attached on the upper side to the horizontal carrier 60, and on the lower side to the lean-on component 80, which is equipped with a rubber ring 90 by means of which it is presses against the wall of the swimming pool. A vertical movable carrier 20 is installed, in such way to be vertically movable under control, on the upper side in the horizontal carrier 60, and on the lower side in the lean-on component 80, whereas its movement is adjustable by means of a handle 130, which arises from the upper part of the movable carrier 20, by means of which it is possible to lift and lower the carrier 20 to the desired height and fix it by means of a spring 70.
A horizontal carrier 60 is impaled upon an axis 40 and is attached with a revolving handle 50 to a fastening plate 30, which is attached to the edge of the swimming pool.
A carrier 110 with a seat 100, which can be fixed to the desired height by means of a spring 120, is attached to the vertical carriers 10 and 20 so that it is movable.
All these components represent the foundation of an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention and the second, third and fourth example of implementation, which is supplemented by exercise and massage assemblies with regard to the desired exercise in such way, as shown in Figures 4 to 9, and will be described below. Individual exercise or massage assemblies have two openings made on each of their carriers, which enable a movable installation of a particular exercise or massage assembly to the vertical carriers 10 and 20 and therefore stability during exercise.
An all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a side and front view and in a position for exercise, realized according to the second example of implementation, therefore apart from the mentioned basic components also comprises an exercise assembly in the sense of a lower gear, which consists of a carrier 140, attached at the lower end of the vertical carrier 20, two arm-shaped components 150 and two pedals 160 with bands 170 attached to them.
The massage assembly in the first example of implementation consists of a carrier 180 attached to the vertical carrier 10, and a massage cylinder
An exercise on the described exercise assembly is carried out in the same way as an exercise on an indoor bicycle, in that we sit down on a seat 100 and adjust the height by means of a spring 120. With our legs we spin the pedals 160 while holding the handles 200 by our arms. Stepping onto the pedals 160 is simple, because both are made of a material, which is lighter than water, so that they are always both in the horizontal position. The height of the pedals 160 is set by lifting and lowering the vertical carrier 20, in that we compress the spring 70, hold the handle 130 and lift or lower the exercise assembly to the desired height. After a completed exercise or during it we can massage our hands on the massage cylinder 190 by pressing the cylinder 190 with our hands and turning it round with forward-backward movements.
An all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a side and front view and in a position for exercise, realized according to the third example of implementation, apart from the basic components mentioned at the beginning also comprises an exercise assembly in the sense of an upper gear, designed for limbering- up of arms and the upper part of the body, consisting of a carrier 210, attached to the vertical carrier 10, two arm-shaped components 220 and two handles 230.
The massage assembly in the third example of implementation is designed for foot massage and greater stability during exercise and consists of a carrier 240, attached to the vertical carrier 20, and two
An exercise on the exercise assembly according to the third example of implementation is carried out, in that we sit down on the seat 100 and set the height via a spring 120. We hold the handles 230 with our hands and turn them round. Because of the distinct form of the handles 230, in addition to the limbering-up and strengthening of the arm muscles and the upper part of the body, a finger massage is carried out simultaneously.
With our legs we lean on at the massage cylinders 250, whose height is set by lifting and lowering the vertical carrier 20, in that we compress the spring 70, hold the handle 130 and lift the exercise assembly to the desired height. After a completed exercise or during it we massage the soles of our feet on the massage cylinders 250 by pressing at the cylinder with our legs and turning it round with forward and backward movements.
An all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage according to the invention from a side an front view and in a position for exercise, realized according to the fourth example of implementation, apart from the basic components mentioned an the beginning, represents an exercise assembly in the sense of a rowing simulation and is designed for limbering-up of the upper part of the body. It consists of a carrier 260, attached to the vertical carrier 10, paddles 280 and handles 270. The massage assembly in the fourth example of implementation is designed for foot massage and greater stability during exercise and consists of a carrier 240, attached to the vertical carrier 20, and two massage cylinders 250.
An exercise on the exercise assembly according to the fourth example of implementation is carried out, in that we sit down on the seat 100 and set the height via a spring 120. We hold the handles 270 with our hands and push them, pulling forward and backward. An opening in the paddles 280 where we hold the handles 270 with our hands simultaneously carries out a massage of fingers on our hands.
With our legs we lean on at the massage cylinders 250, whose height is set by lifting and lowering the vertical carrier 20, in that we compress the spring 70, hold the handle 130 and lift the exercise assembly to the desired height. After a completed exercise or during it we massage the soles of our feet on the massage cylinders 250 by pressing at the cylinder with our legs and turning it round with forward and backward movements.
The advantages of an all-purpose device for underwater therapy, exercise and massage over common devices for limbering-up in the dry are indicated most of all in the fact that the body relaxes in water, and water represents a natural resistance to the movement of the body, therefore it is not necessary to provide mechanisms for adjustment of resistance for individual assemblies. The user does not sweat during the exercise and is simultaneously enjoying a water massage.