HK1050471B - Keep-fit device in the form of an item of clothing - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fitness apparatus in the form of a garment designed to shape a human body with a body shell that is at least partially airtight and that, together with at least one part of the body surface, forms at least one pressure chamber subjected to an air pressure lower than the external environment of the fitness apparatus, the fitness apparatus having at least a spacer that protects the body shell of the fitness apparatus from the body surface at least in the area of the pressure chamber.

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Traditionally, sweat suits are designed to allow a great deal of freedom of movement, so that the wearer can, for example, jog or ride a bicycle in them. The combination of exercise training and sweat suit results in a particularly high circulatory demand and a particularly high metabolic rate. This increases the training effect compared to exercise training without sweat suit.

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The next state of the art, US 4.230.114, is a training trousers, sucked out of the air. The training trousers are made of a non-porous and non-absorbent material. In the area of a suction hose, flange-shaped spacers made of a solid material are provided to prevent the suction of the gym pants in this area and thereby to ensure an even distribution of the pressure in the trousers.

US 1.440.157 is known to be a weight-lifting belt-type exercise device in which a cap of elastic material creates a pressure drop in the abdominal area.

US 7.26.791 shows a gym suit with a pressure-suppressed interior, with an internal frame of individual elements between the airtight body and the body.

In view of these disadvantages, the present invention aims to improve a fitness device of the type described at the outset so that fat burning occurs more quickly and that problem areas can be treated specifically.

This problem is solved for a fitness equipment of the type mentioned at the beginning by the spacer forming at least a pressure chamber with a pressure higher than the external environment of the fitness equipment.

The pressure exerted on the body surface in the area of the pressure chamber increases blood flow. This increases blood flow and leads to increased fat burning in this area. If the exercise equipment is used for additional training, such as jogging or cycling, the sauna effect and the pressure effect overlap in the area of the pressure chamber. This combination of exercise training and pressure results in a particularly targeted fat loss at the site of the pressure chamber.

The pressure is such that the blood circulation is stimulated more than in the case of conventional sweat suits, and the effectiveness of the apparatus for training in the formulation of the figure and fat burning according to the invention is therefore considerably higher than in the case of conventional sweat suits.

In the area of the pressure chamber, there is a risk that the body shell may become attached to the body surface due to the pressure. This would result in reduced wear comfort or reduced pressure effect. To avoid this, the equipment must have at least a spacer to keep the body shell away from the body surface at least in the area of the pressure chamber.

The spacer provides at least one pressure chamber with a pressure higher than the external environment of the equipment, which makes it very comfortable to wear, since the spacer can be adjusted to the body contour.

In a particularly favourable design, the area under pressure may include the abdomen and/or buttocks and/or hips and/or thighs, which are the usual problem areas where fat, either genetic or due to lack of exercise, can easily accumulate.

In order to avoid a separate supply of the pressure chamber and the pressure chamber and thus an increased design effort in a pressure supply, the pressure chamber may be surrounded by at least a partially air-permeable spacer envelope through which air is discharged from the pressure chamber into the pressure chamber and/or the external environment at a loss of pressure. In addition or as an alternative, the pressure chamber may be equipped with a throttle ventilation which, at a loss of pressure, can be discharged from the pressure chamber into the pressure chamber and/or the external pressure environment. In these two air configurations, it is possible to initially discharge the air from the pressure chamber, which is discharged at a loss of pressure in a special sub-chamber. The air discharge chamber is then placed on a vertical section between the pressure chamber and the air discharge chamber, which is then discharged into the air and/or the air discharge chamber.

The spacer holder may also be made at least partially of a solid material in a further advantageous design. A solid material in this context is a material which is capable of keeping the shell away from the body surface essentially by virtue of its intrinsic strength alone. In order to ensure adequate freedom of movement when the fitness equipment is used for physical activity, the solid material may also exhibit elastic properties. The elasticity may be due to an appropriate formulation or material choice.

The pressure relief valve may be fitted with a separate, more advantageous design between the pressure relief chamber and the body surface, or it may be sewn into the body and form a scaffolding, or it may be fitted with a belt or a self-supporting cage.

In another advantageous design, the fitness device is equipped with a pump device with a pressure relief valve, whereby the pressure relief valve is connected to the pressure relief chamber. The pump device generates the pressure relief in the pressure relief chamber. The pump device can be designed in a further advantageous design so that it is portable on the body. This means that it has the lowest possible weight and the most ergonomically favourable shape. This allows the wearer of the fitness device to move independently of the pump device.

In another advantageous design, the fitness equipment may be equipped with a pump unit with a pressure relief, the pressure relief of the pump unit being connected to the pressure relief chamber, where the pump unit is used to generate the pressure relief located in the pressure relief chamber of the spacer holder.

It is also possible that the pump outlet is connected to the overpressure chamber and the pump inlet to the underpressure chamber at the same time.

In order to prevent damage to the equipment and to prevent physiologically harmful pressures, the pressure chamber may be fitted in a further advantageous design with a pressure relief valve which allows air to be introduced into the pressure relief chamber if a prescribed minimum pressure is exceeded.

Accordingly, the pressure relief valve may be equipped with a pressure relief valve which allows air to escape from the pressure relief chamber if a prescribed maximum pressure is exceeded.

The fitness equipment can also benefit from sealing sections that are close to the body surface and essentially completely surround the pressure chamber, preventing leakage and leakage and the entry of air into the pressure chamber, which makes more efficient use of pump energy and significantly extends the life of pumps that use batteries or accumulators as energy sources.

The fitness equipment may be designed to form specific body sections in the form of bandages. In this design, the fitness equipment may be placed around one thigh in order to achieve specific thigh shaping. Alternatively, the fitness equipment may also be designed to be placed only around the hips and lead to an increase in blood flow in the hip, abdominal and buttock area. The fitness equipment is very compact in this design and can be specifically tailored to the needs of its users.

Alternatively, the equipment may be suited to suit, acting as a sweat suit in areas where no pressure chamber is fitted, as described above.

In order to avoid the failure of the whole exercise equipment in the event of damage to a pressure chamber and to adjust the pressure independently to different parts of the body, the exercise equipment may have several pressure chambers, which are allocated to different parts of the body, in a further advantageous design.

A further advantageous design may be a pressure control device, which allows the pressure in the pressure chamber to be adjusted to a predetermined value. This value is preferably adjustable by the user. Adjustability of the pressure may be necessary, for example, when the fitness equipment is used once at sea level and another time in a winter resort.

The following illustrations illustrate the construction and function of the fitness equipment of the invention by reference to the drawings.

It shows: Fig. 1a first example of the fitness equipment of the invention;Fig. 2a second example of the fitness equipment of the invention;Fig. 3a third example of the fitness equipment of the invention;Fig. 4a fourth example of the fitness equipment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a fitness device 1 in the form of a suit, similar to a wetsuit, which covers the whole body, arms and legs, and is made of an airtight case 1 a, with seals 2, 3, 4 on the collar, sleeves and cuffs.

The body-facing inner surface of the fitness equipment is covered with a skin-friendly layer (not shown) which provides the wearer with a high level of comfort even when sweating.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the equipment is equipped with a single pressure chamber 5 extending over the buttocks, hips, thighs and thighs, or with a separate pressure chamber 5 for each of these areas.

The pressure chamber 5 is surrounded by seals 6 which prevent the entry of ambient air at higher pressure into the pressure chamber 5.

The body shell 1a of the exercise equipment is kept away from the body surface by a spacer 10, 11 in the area of the pressure relief chamber 5; the spacer 10 in the hip area is belt-shaped and has a pressure relief chamber 12 with a pressure inside higher than the pressure of the environment of the exercise equipment 1; the pressure difference causes the body shell 12a of the pressure relief chamber 12 to inflate.

Two additional spacers 11 are formed above the knee and the spacers 11 are also equipped with a pressure chamber 12.

The pressure chamber 12 is fitted with a connection 13 to which a pressure hose from the pump outlet can be connected; the pressure chamber 5 is fitted with a pressure connection 14 to which the suction or intake side of a pump 15 can be connected.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the pressure relief connection 13 and the pressure relief connection 14 are connected together to pump 15. the suction side 15a of the pump 15 generates the pressure relief in the pressure relief chamber 5 and the conveyor side 15b of the pump 15 pumps air into the pressure relief chamber 12 of the spacer holder.

Alternatively, the pressure chamber 5 and the pressure chamber 12 may be operated by a separate pump, the pressure chamber 12 of the spacer holder 10 at the hip is connected to the pressure chamber 12 of the spacer holder 11 at the legs by a connection line 16 and supplied with compressed air via this line.

Each pressure chamber 12 shall be equipped with a safety pressure valve 17 which opens when a prescribed maximum pressure is exceeded within a pressure chamber 12 and thus prevents the pressure chamber from bursting; likewise, the pressure chamber 5 shall be equipped with a safety pressure valve which opens automatically when a prescribed pressure is exceeded, so that air can flow into the pressure chamber 5 and so health damage from too high a pressure in the pressure chamber 5 and damage to the fitness equipment is avoided.

The pressure chamber 12 may also be equipped with an outlet area 19 through which air flows from the overpressure chamber 12 into the underpressure chamber 5. The outlet area 19 has a considerable flow resistance, so that a pressure gap is created between the overpressure chamber 12 and the underpressure chamber 5. The size of the outlet area 19 is such that less, or at most as much, air flows through the outlet area 19 from the overpressure chamber 12 into the underpressure chamber 5 as can be sucked out by the pump's discharge power 15. Only if this size regulation is respected is it possible to maintain a constantly operating underpressure in the overpressure chamber 5 in the overpressure chamber 12 and to maintain the air flowing up to the alternating flow rate.

A second embodiment of the present invention is described in Fig. 2. In place of a pressure-inflated spacer holder 10 in the embodiment in Fig. 2, a cage-shaped spacer holder 20 of a solid plastic material is used. The cage-like structure results in an even spacing of the body shell 1a of the exercise equipment 1 from the body without applying a large amount of pressure to individual bodies, since the cage is suspended on a large area of the body.

In the example shown in Figure 2, the other's exercise equipment has a partially air-permeable inlet area 21 through which the air sucked from the pump 15 can flow back.

Instead of the cage of Fig. 2 between body and casing 1 a, spacers integrated into the casing may also be used, for example in the form of curved slats forming a support for the pressure chamber 5. The slats 22 keep the casing 1 a away from the body surface while ensuring a high degree of mobility of the wearer.

The fitness equipment in Figure 1 is not designed like a suit but is placed in a belt-like or bandage-like manner around the abdomen, hips and buttocks. The fitness equipment 1 in Figure 3 has essentially only a pressure chamber, sealed at the top and bottom by gaskets 6. The pressure chamber in this example has a completely airtight casing through which no air can flow back into the pressure chamber 5a. For simplicity, the pump and pressure lines have been omitted in Figure 3.

Fig. 4 shows a fourth example of the fitness equipment according to the invention, which is designed as a thigh bandage. In this form, the fitness equipment is specifically suitable for the removal of fat on the thigh, for example in so-called riding pants. Depending on the size, the fitness equipment in this version can also be placed around the (upper) arms and contribute to fat loss there.

The pump unit 15 with the lines 15a, 15b is designed to be carried on the body in Figure 4 and incorporates energy sources such as batteries or accumulators.

The examples of the designs shown in Figures 3 and 4 allow the wearer a great deal of freedom of movement and can therefore be used to support the training effect, especially when used in normal training operation.

The function of the fitness equipment of the invention is explained below.

The principle of the fitness equipment for bodybuilding is based on increasing local blood circulation by applying pressure. Due to the increased blood circulation, there is an increased metabolism and thus a locally increased fat burning. The increased fat burning leads to a targeted fat loss in the areas treated with pressure.

To activate the exercise equipment 1, the pump 15 is actuated, which sucks 15a air from the pressure chamber 5 at its pressure inlet, thus generating the pressure in the pressure chamber.

If a spacer with a pressure chamber 12 is provided, it shall be connected to the pressure outlet 15b of pump 15 and pumped up so as to avoid contact between the body surface and the body surface of the body shell 1a of the exercise equipment.

To enable the fitness device to be used for jogging or cycling, the pump 15 is designed to be carried on the body of the wearer of the fitness device, is equipped with an internal power supply (not shown) and is equipped with a control device to regulate the pressure in the pressure relief chamber 5 and/or the pressure relief chamber 12 to a predetermined and manually adjustable value.

Claims (18)

1. A fitness device (1) in the form of a garment, for shaping the figure of a human body, comprising a sleeve (1a) which at least partially encloses the body in an airtight manner and which together with at least one section of the body surface forms at least one low pressure chamber (5) which is loaded with an air pressure that is lower compared to the environment of the fitness device (1), wherein the fitness device (1) comprises at least one spacer (10, 11) through which the sleeve (1a) of the fitness device (1) is spaced apart from the body surface at least in the area of the low pressure chamber (5), characterized in that the spacer (10) forms at least one overpressure chamber (12) which is loaded with a pressure that is higher compared to the environment of the fitness device (1).
2. A fitness device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the section loaded with low pressure comprises abdomen and/or buttocks and/or hips and/or thighs.
3. A fitness device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the overpressure chamber (12) is enclosed by a spacer sleeve (12a) that is air-pervious at least section-wise, through which air, under loss of pressure, can be discharged from the overpressure chamber (12) into the low pressure chamber (5) and/or the environment.
4. A fitness device as claimed in one of the above-mentioned claims , characterized in that the overpressure chamber (12) is formed with a throttle valve, through which, under loss of pressure, air can be discharged from the overpressure chamber (12) into the low pressure chamber (5) and/or the environment.
5. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10, 11) is made at least section-wise of a solid material.
6. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10, 11) is arranged between the sleeve (1a) of the low pressure chamber and the body surface.
7. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10, 11) is formed at least section-wise in a belt-like manner.
8. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (10, 11) is formed at least section-wise in a cage-like manner.
9. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitness device (1) is provided with a pump device (15) with a low pressure input, wherein the low pressure input is connected to the low pressure chamber (5).
10. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitness device (1) is provided with a pump device (15) with an overpressure output, wherein the overpressure output (15b) is connected to the overpressure chamber (12).
11. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump device (15) is designed in a manner that it can be worn on the body of the person wearing the fitness device (1).
12. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overpressure chamber (12) is equipped with an overpressure safety valve (17) through which air can be discharged from the overpressure chamber (12) when a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded.
13. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the low pressure chamber (12) is equipped with a vacuum safety valve (18) through which air can be introduced into the low pressure chamber (5) when the pressure drops below a predetermined minimum pressure.
14. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitness device (1) comprises sealing portions (6) which sealingly engage the body surface and which basically fully enclose the low pressure chamber (5).
15. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitness device (1) is shaped in a substantially bandage-like manner for the specific shaping of individual body parts.
16. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitness device (1) is substantially formed suit-like.
17. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitness device (1) comprises a plurality of low pressure chambers (5) which are associated to individual body sections.
18. A fitness device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressure regulating means is provided through which the low pressure in the low pressure chamber (5) can be regulated to a predetermined value.