ZA200902324B

ZA200902324B - Method and apparatus for exercising neck

Info

Publication number: ZA200902324B
Application number: ZA200902324A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Pea Blaauw
Original assignee: Pea Blaauw
Priority date: 2008-04-03
Filing date: 2009-04-03
Publication date: 2010-01-27

Description

Ll I 2 2009/ 02324 - " FIELD OF THE INVENTION : - -- This invention relates to exercises aimed at strengthening neck muscles and in oo } | particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for such exercises.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION :

A wide variety of muscles in the human body needs to be exercised for a variety of purposes, e.g. to enhance the performance of a sportsman, to assist in recovery from injury and to acquire physical skills. In particular, muscles such as neck muscles often need to be strengthened to resist unwanted movement and thus reduce the likelihood of injury. The need for exercising neck muscles is becoming more acute due to the increased incidence of neck injuries in contact sports such as rugby.

A wide variety of training apparatus has been developed to assist in the exercise of various muscles or groups of muscles with varying degrees of resistance against which the targeted muscles need to work. However, the apparatus that has been developed to date for exercising neck muscles are limited to exercising flexion and extension of the neck and does not cater for exercising other neck muscles and/or other movements such as lateral flexion, diagonal flexion and rotation.

One of the main difficulties relating to exercise apparatus targeting neck muscles, is that, unlike other parts of the human anatomy that are generally elongate and that move over larger distances when exercised and (e.g. the flexion/extension and abduction/adduction of the shoulders and legs), neck muscles need to be exercised by moving the head which is relatively squat in shape and which moves over shorter oo spans. Further, the generally rounded shape of the head makes it very difficult to engage the head with exercise apparatus that is intended to apply a resistive load against target neck movements. | :

The present invention seeks to provide a method and apparatus for exercising neck muscles by providing resistance against neck muscle exercises.

. 3 4 ot SUMMANY OF THE INVENTION - According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of } exercising neck muscles, said method comprising: 5 . fitting a helmet to the head of a subject; providing a flexible, elongate element, i.e. an elongate element that offers resistance to extending when it is pulled by a tensile load; attaching an end of the elongate element to the helmet at a predetermined : position; and pulling the elongate element by moving the subject's head in a predetermined manner that requires using his neck muscles.

In practice, the neck muscles will seldom be used in isolation, but typically in conjunction with other muscles.

The method may include fitting the helmet on the subject's head by way of a retaining element extending around the subject's chin and/or a retaining element extending around the subject's jaw.

The elongate element may be resiliently flexible, may be connected to weights being lifted against gravity, may be connected to a spring, or the like and may be attached to a support structure adjacent the subject.

The end of the elongate element may be attached to the helmet by removably clipping it into a selected fastener on the helmet at a position on the helmet where exercise of targeted neck muscles will cause the helmet to pull on the elongate element.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for exercising neck muscles, the apparatus including: a helmet that is configured to be fitted on the head of a subject retaining means for keeping the helmet on the subject's head;

. . at least one fastening element on the helmet; and - an elongate element that offers resistance to pulling, at least one end of the 7 elongate element being attachable to the fastening elements on the helmet.

The helmet may have a plurality of fastening elements at different positions, to allow the elongate element to be attached at different locations on the helmet and thus offer resistance against different exercises or movement in different planes. The fastening elements may be in the form of loops, e.g. loops of flexible straps, to which the end of the elongate element can be clipped.

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The elongate element may be elastically extendible and the apparatus may include means for attaching a remote end of the elongate element to an adjacent structure.

The retaining means may include a retaining element that is configured to extending around the subject's chin, preferably with a cup that is configured to fit on the : subject's chin. Instead, or in addition, the retaining means may include a retaining element that is configured to extend around the subject's jaw.

The apparatus may include one or more handles, attached to the helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of a first embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention, worn by a subject;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus in accordance with the present invention, including the helmet of Figure 1, in use; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a second embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention, with details omitted.

. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS }

CT Referring to the drawings, apparatus in accordance with the present invention is - generally indicated by reference numeral 10, while a helmet, that forms part of the apparatus 10, is generally indicated by reference numeral 12. A subject using the 5 apparatus 10 and wearing the helmet 12 is shown in broken lines and is generally indicated by reference numeral 14, while his head is indicated by reference numeral 16.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the helmet 12 is of the type including a hard plastic outer shell and a lining of resilient/high density foam, as used in rock climbing, canoeing and other sports, but can be of any type, as long as it has a sufficiently resilient shell and is sturdily attachable to the subject's head 16. In order to ensure that the helmet 12 is kept on the head 16, it includes retaining means in the form of a conventional strap18 that passes underneath the subject's jaw, as well as a : conventional strap 20 that passes around the subject’s chin and that is kept in position by a cup/chin piece 22 that fits on the chin. The use of the cup 22 is optional.

A number of fastening elements in the form of loops 24 of strong, flexible straps are attached to the shell of the helmet 12 by bolts and washers 26. The loops 24 are spaced apart and are positioned at various positions around the circumference of the helmet 12, with one loop attached to the top of the helmet, but could instead be spaced in any desired manner. Further, two handles 28 are provided that are attached to the helmet 12 with the same bolts and washers 26 as two adjacent loops. The handles 28 in the illustrated examples are at lateral positions relative to the helmet, but the numbers and positions of handles can be varied, if desired.

Referring to Figure 2, the apparatus 10 further includes at least one flexible, elongate element in the form of an elastically extendible cord 30 that offers resistance to being extended when under a tensile load. The cord 30 has clip formations 32 at each of its two ends.

oC The apparatus 10 further includes a cord anchor 34 for attaching a remote end of : the cord 30 to an adjacent structure such as an upright post 36, e.g. one of the - uprights of rugby posts. . The anchor 34 includes a strong strap 38 that can extend ) around the post 36 and is attached in position by hook-and-loop attachment strips and includes a number of D-shaped metal rings 40 to which the clips 32 can be removably attached.

In use, the subject 14 fits the helmet 12 on his head with the straps 18,20 and fits the anchor 34 to a suitable post 36. One of the clips 32 is attached or clipped onto a loop 24 of the subject's choice and the clip 32 at the remote end of the cord 30is clipped onto one of the rings 40. Instead, the cord 30 can be doubled and passed through a loop 24 with both clips 32 attached to a ring 40, or can be passed through a ring 40 with both clips attached to a loop 24. The subject 14 then stands far © enough from the post 36 to tighten the cord 30 (the cord is shown with some slack in

Figure 2) and exercises his neck muscles by tilting his head 16 in the direction indicated. The movement of the head 16 pulls on the cord 30 and thus causes a resistive load to be exerted by the cord on the helmet 12 and causes a resistive load against which the movements are conducted, so that the neck muscles that cause the tilting movement of the head are exercised against the resistive load.

The main purpose of the handle 28 is for the wearer to ensure that the helmet 12 remains in the correct position relative to his head 16 during exercise. In addition, tilting movement (lateral flexion) of the head 16 can be assisted by pulling on the handle 28 on the left of the wearer's head, e.g. to relieve the stress on the neck muscles, if desired, or the handles can be used to manipulate the head during training. However, if the resistance to the exercise is so much that assistance is required, it is preferable that the wearer stands closer to the attachment of the cord to its anchor 34 to relieve some of the stress in the cord and thus to relieve some of the resistance to neck movement. 30

By attaching the cord 30 to different loops 24 and/or by pulling on the cord by way of different head movements, e.g. tilting or twisting of the head, running while the neck

LC is restrained, or the like, different neck muscles or groups of muscles that include . neck muscles, can be exercised. The neck muscles are seldom exercised in : - isolation in this manner, but depending on the particular exercise, they are typically exercised in conjunction with other muscles or groups of muscles.

The present invention holds the advantage that it allows the neck muscles to be exercised against resistance and strengthened in all the different planes of neck motion. In addition, the extent of the resistive load against which the exercises are performed can be increased by using more than one cord 30.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the resistance that the cord 30 offers to the pulling action resulting from the neck exercises, can be provided by other elongate elements such as cords that are attached through pulleys to weights, extension springs, or the like. } Referring to Figure 3, an embodiment of the helmet 12 is shown which has a shell, loops, 24, bots and washers 26, handles 28, etc. identical to those shown in Figures 1 and 2, but for clarity, these details, other than the shell of the helmet 12, have ~~ been omitted from Figure 3. The helmet of Figure 3 is retained on the wearer's head 16 by way of retaining means which includes a chin strap 20 like the one shown in

Figures 1 and 2, as well as a strap 18 that passes forward of the chin strap, without a cup. Those skilled in the art would realise that different variations of these straps 18,20 can be used and the straps can be attached together to allow them to be held in position relative to the chin. The restraining means of the helmet 12 of Figure 3 further includes a rear strap 42 that extends around the rear of the wearer's head 16 ~~. or neck, to assist further in stabilising the helmet relative to the wearer's head. oo

Claims

S11 - CLAIMS | - \ wa a SUBBEESES Ca

= 1. A method of exercising neck muscles, said method comprising: fitting a helmet to the head of a subject; providing a flexible, elongate element that offers resistance to extension under a tensile load; attaching an end of the elongate element to the helmet at a predetermined position; and pulling the elongate element by moving the subject's head in a predetermined manner that requires using his neck muscles.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, which includes fitting the helmet on the subject's head by way of a retaining element extending around the subject's chin | ;
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, which includes fitting the helmet on the subject's head by way of a retaining element extending around the : subject's jaw.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the : ‘elongate element is resiliently flexible
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the : ‘elongate element is connected to weights being lifted against gravity
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate element is connected to a spring
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate element is attached to a support structure adjacent the subject.
8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of o Le the elongate element is attached to the helmet by removably clipping it into a - fastener on the helmet. :
9. Apparatus for exercising neck muscles, said apparatus including: ‘ a helmet that is configured to be fitted on the head of a subject retaining means for keeping the helmet on the subject's head; at least one fastening element on the helmet; and a flexible, elongate element that offers resistance to extension under a tensile load, at least one end of the elongate element being attachable to the fastening elements on the helmet.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the helmet has a plurality of : fastening elements at different positions.
11. Apparatus as claimed:in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the fastening elements are in the form of loops. :
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the elongate element is elastically extendible.
13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, which includes means for : attaching a.remote end of the elongate element to an adjacent structure.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, in which the retaining means includes a retaining element that is configured to extending around the subject’s chin.
15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, in which the retaining means includes a retaining element that is configured to extending around the subject's jaw.
16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, which includes at least
LC one handle, attached to the helmet. oe 17. A method of exercising neck muscles, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
18. Apparatus for exercising neck muscles, substantially as described herein with , reference to the drawings. Dated this 2" day of April 2009 yr BE Brian Bacon & Associates Inc. oo Applicant's Patent Attorneys