EXERCISE MACHINE

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to sports exercise devices, namely to exercise devices of individual use, and may also be used as a body massage apparatus.

Background of the Invention

There has been known an exercise device embodied in the form of an inflatable hoop-top comprising an external jacket, a sealed cavity kept under pressure and a pressure control valve (Eurasian Patent No. 004967, IPC A63B19/00, Priority date: June 18, 2001. Publication date: October 28, 2004). This exercise device is taken as the closet prior art.

The drawbacks to the known exercise device reside in complexity of fabrication, since it requires special equipment and sophisticated compression molds; a complicated and unreliable fixing of a pressure control valve nipple; the absence of safeguard against user harm in case of the exercise device breakage. Moreover, an external jacket of the known exercise device fails to comply with environmental requirements, which is very important, since in using the exercise device, its contact with a user occurs, and the exercise device shape as a hoop limits a number of training exercises to be performed.

Objects of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to develop an exercise device that complines with environmental requirements, is safe under operating conditions, and has a simple design affording its fabrication using standard equipment and enabling one to shape thereof to different forms in order to extend a number of exercises to be performed.

Summary of the Invention

The above object has been achieved by an exercise device comprising an internal jacket with a compressed sealed cavity and a pressure control valve, the internal jacket is embodied in the form of a sleeve which is made of at least two layers of a reinforced elastic jacket material, it additionally comprises an external jacket embodied in the form of an elastic stocking or of a coating made of an environmentally friendly material, said external jacket covering the internal jacket, a safety rope arranged inside the sealed cavity, a liquid sealant compound arranged inside the sealed cavity, a bush connecting the ends of the external and internal jackets thus forming a closed body, at least one belt for modifying the body shape, said pressure control valve is made with its body pressed in the bush.

The closed body takes the form of either a ring, or a figure eight, or ellipse, or other geometric figure. In so doing, said closed body in the form of a ring is 700 - 900 mm in diameter. The internal jacket is embodied in the form of a sleeve which is 36 - 40 mm in the inside diameter and 50 - 54 mm in the outside diameter and is made to withstand a pressure of 45 - 50 atmospheres. The safety rope is made to withstand a load of 95 - 100 kg/mm²; the bush is made by molding process from either polyamide, or polyethylene, or a rigid plastic; the external jacket is made to cover the bush, when the ends of jackets are connected; and the pressure control valve is provided with a slide-valve and a plastic cap. In addition, the exercise device further comprises at least two polyurethane foam pillows.

The technical effect of claimed exercise device consists in the fact that it has a simple design affording its fabrication using standard equipment that does not require an additional, sophisticated tooling. In addition, the exercise device is green device, injury-safe under operating conditions and is capable of performing a wide range of gymnastic exercises.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention is explained by the following drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of the exercise device, where 1 - an internal jacket, 2 - a sealed cavity, 3 - a bush, 4 - an external jacket, 5 - a safety rope, 6 - a sealant compound, 7 - a belt, 8 - a pressure control valve. FIG. 2 illustrates some types of modifying a shape of the exercise device, a) a circle, b) a figure of eight, c) ellipse.

Detailed Description of the Invention

An internal jacket 1 of the claimed exercise device is embodied in the form of a sleeve with its ends connected to each other by means of a bush 3, thus forming a closed body. The internal jacket 1 is embodied in the form of a sleeve which is 36 - 40 mm in the inside diameter and 50 - 54 mm in the outside diameter. The outside diameter is chosen by recognizing that it is the most optimal from the viewpoint of ease of exploitation and corresponds to grasp of an average human being hand. The inside diameter is chosen on the basis of producing the least weight of the exercise device and the ability of the jacket to withstand pressure of the air. The closed body takes the form of either a ring, or a figure eight, or ellipse, or other geometric figure. The closed body in the form of a ring is 700 - 900 mm in diameter. Such a diameter allows the use of the exercise device, for example as a hula hoop. When the ring is pulled in too tight with the belt, the exercise device takes the form of "butterfly" with its dimensions corresponding to those which are necessary for use by an average human being. The jacket 1 is made of at least two layers of a reinforced elastic material, for example rubber. Inside the jacket 1, there is formed a sealed cavity 2 kept under pressure that may be as much as 10 - 15 atmospheres. The selected pressure allows fabricating the exercise device optimal by weight and rigidity. The jacket 1 is made to withstand a pressure of 45 - 50 atmospheres, which must be in excess of the operating pressure. Over the internal jacket 1, there is disposed an external jacket 4 embodied in the form of an elastic stocking made of an elastic, environmentally friendly material, for example polypropylene. The external jacket may be embodied in the form of an applied coating. A bush 3 connects the ends of a sleeve of the internal and external jackets. The bush 3 is provided with grooves for attaching the jackets. In so doing, it is possible to cover the bush itself by means of the external jacket. The bush 3 is provided with a through hole for mounting a safety rope 5, which is disposed inside the sealed cavity 2 and may withstand a load of 95 - 100 kg/mm². A high load does not arise when using the exercise device. The ends of the rope 5 are interconnected. A pressure control valve 8 is made with its body pressed in the bush 3. The body of the pressure control valve is provided with a slide-valve twisted in for inflating the air into the sealed cavity 2, said slide-valve being closed by a plastic cap. The air pressure in the cavity 2 may amount to 10 - 15 atmospheres. The bush 3 is made by molding from a rigid plastic, for example polyamide or polyethylene. The bush 3 is provided with four grooves for attaching the internal 1 and external 4 jackets. Inside the sealed cavity 2 there is placed a sealant compound 6 for sealing pores and extending the service life of the exercise device. The content of sealant compound is 100 - 150 g. The availability of the sealant compound, its amount and the fact that the jacket is under elevated pressure allow, in case of the jacket damage, its quick hermetic sealing. The exercise device is provided with at least one belt for putting it into different forms, for convenience and enabling one to perform a wide range of gymnastic exercises. FIG. 2 illustrates some possible forms of the exercise device to be produced with the aid of belts. FIG. 2a illustrates a circle; FIG 2b illustrates a figure of eight; FIG. 2c illustrates ellipse. In addition, the exercise device is provided with at least two polyurethane foam pillows for moderating loads when performing exercises.

The advantages of the claimed exercise device consist in its ease of fabrication, possibility of performing a wide range of exercises, durability, and safety in use. And also in the fact that it has an environmentally friendly external jacket.