JP6356640B2 - Improved motion roller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to improvements in motion rollers and more versatile motion rollers.

  In the exercise and therapy industry, foam rollers are used for capacity building and coordination, self-massage and flexibility training. These foam rollers are a single piece and are traditionally 300 mm or 900 mm long.

  For some applications, a 900 mm long roller is desirable, and for other applications a 300 mm long roller is desirable. In general, if longer rollers are desired, shorter rollers cannot be used, and vice versa. Therefore, a person needs to have two or more rollers having different lengths. Similarly, there are situations where different diameter rollers are required. In this case, it is necessary to use another roller having a different diameter.

  To solve one or more of the problems described above, the present invention provides a roller comprising two or more subunits.

  In another form, the present invention provides a motion roller comprising two or more sub-motion roller units, the sub-motion roller units being connected and separable from each other to form a single motion roller, and thus One or more sub-motion roller units can be used as another motion roller.

  The subunit is typically a foam roller that is tubular, cylindrical, or rod-shaped, with ends joined. These subunits may have different shapes or rigid bodies.

  The roller includes a tubular or cylindrical first subunit having a longitudinally extending passage therein and a second subunit coupled to the passage, preferably by fitting. The passage may extend partially along the length, or it may extend all along the length and open at both ends.

  Each subunit may itself be composed of two or more parts. One or more of the subunits may comprise a tubular or cylindrical first part having a longitudinally extending passage and a second part preferably coupled to the passage by fitting. . The second part is a solid rod-like part or a tubular or cylindrical part. If the second part is tubular or cylindrical, a third (solid) part is placed in the second part.

  Thus, the roller according to the invention comprises two, three or more individual subunits or parts.

  Where a tubular part is provided, the tubular part is composed of a relatively rigid material such as PVC or formed of a foam material, whether or not it has elements therein.

  If desired, the roller is provided with an outer rigid tube, an inner tubular foam core, and a central rigid foam core. The outer rigid tube may be the entire length of the roller, or two or more lengths may be coupled together. The number of parts of each subunit may not be equal. Thus, while the outer tube is a single unit, the inner tube and / or central core may be configured with more than one length.

  If the subunits are formed from end to end length, this length may or may not be equal.

  If a roller is composed of two or more parts, an individual can move anywhere with all or part of the roller. Depending on the roller configuration, the user can choose to have the entire unit, a short but full diameter roller, or both a long and short small diameter roller. Furthermore, when the roller has subunits at both ends, both of them can be combined as necessary to make the roller easier to carry. Individual parts, which are not possible with ordinary rollers, serve as an element for discriminating whether an athlete or individual has brought a roller, improving the use of equipment and its benefits.

  In a preferred form of the invention, the roller comprises two subunits, each subunit having a first tubular or cylindrical part with an internal passage extending longitudinally and a second part fitting into the passage. With

  The internal hole of the first part and the corresponding second part are preferably circular in cross section.

  Where the subunits are connected to each other, connecting end means are provided at one or both ends of the subunit. In a preferred form of the invention, this comprises hook and loop fastener material such as that sold under the Velcro brand name. Other connecting means may be used. For example, a complementary press stud type fastener or a tong and groove type fastener can be used. A tongue-and-groove configuration that engages by rotation around a roller axis that can be seen in a bulk CD container or the like may be used. A tong and groove structure in which the subunits engage with each other by lateral movement may be used.

  Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as “comprising”, “comprising”, etc. throughout the specification and claims are inclusive, not exclusive or exhaustive, ie, “including, It should be understood as meaning "not limited".

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the end of the component of the first embodiment of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the end of the part of the second embodiment of FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an end portion of a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a detailed view of an end portion of a modification of the second embodiment.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a roller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The roller 10 includes subunits 12 and 14. The subunit 12 is about 560 mm long and the subunit 14 is about 360 mm long.

  The end portions of the subunits 12 and 14 are connected to each other by a connecting means, which in this example is hook and loop fastener materials 16a and 16b shown at the end portion 18 of the subunit 14 in FIG. It will be understood that there is also a complementary piece at the opposite end 20 of the subunit 12. Both of these pieces 16a, 16b may be hook or loop material, or one may be hook material and the other may be loop material.

  When connected, these two subunits constitute a single roller about 900 mm long. The two subunits can be separated, thereby providing two separate rollers with a short length. Thus, a single 900 mm long roller can provide the functions of both long and short rollers. The two subunits 12, 14 need not be the same length, but may be the same length.

  Each subunit comprises a hollow tubular or cylindrical outer shell 12a, 14a and a solid rod-like inner part 12b, 14b. The inner and outer parts of the subunit are preferably of equal length. The outer shells 12a, 14a have an outer diameter of about 6 inches (˜150 mm) and the respective inner holes 22a, 24a are about 4 inches (˜100 mm) in diameter. The solid inner parts 12b, 14b have the same diameter as the inner holes 22a, 24a and are sized to fit into the corresponding parts 12a, 14a but be easily removed. Means are provided at the end of the subunit to secure the inner and outer elements together so that the inner part does not slide out of the outer part.

  Therefore, when a large diameter roller is required (whether long or short), the inner part is inserted into the outer part and the roller is used.

  When a small diameter roller is required, one or both inner parts are removed from the corresponding outer parts and used alone or connected together. As shown in FIG. 2, at least a part of the connecting means 16 is attached to the inner part, whereby the two inner parts are attached to each other.

  It should be understood that the inner parts 12a, 12b are both subunits of the part 12, and similarly, the parts 14a, 14b are both subunits of the part 14.

  The inner parts 12b, 14b need not extend the entire length of the parts 12a, 14a, respectively. The holes 22a and 24a may be closed at one end, or may extend over the entire length to shorten the inner parts 12b and 14b.

  3 and 4, another embodiment of a roller 30 of the present invention is shown. The roller 30 includes two subunits 32 and 34. Subunit 32 is approximately 560 mm long and subunit 34 is approximately 360 mm long. Again, the lengths of the subunits 32, 34 may be equal.

  In this example, the end portions of the two subunits 32 and 34 are connected to each other by using attachment means that is a rod 36 shown in the end portion 38 of the subunit 34 in FIG. The rod 36 is preferably made of wood, but may be made of other materials. The rod 36 has a diameter of about 27 mm and a length of about 210 mm. This rod may be shorter or longer and may be 270 mm long, especially for large users. This rod is received in a hole 40 that is approximately half the length of the rod. Another part 34 has a similar hole on the opposite side. The rod 36 preferably has an interference fit in the hole 40, so that the two parts 32, 34 are connected relatively firmly to each other during insertion.

  The rod is preferably sized for use as a foot roller, the dimensions described above being selected for this purpose. The dimensions of the rod 36 may vary, particularly if the rod 36 is not intended for use as an individual exercise equipment item.

  The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, each subunit comprising a hollow tubular or cylindrical outer shell 32a, 34a and a solid rod-like inner part 32b, 34b. . The inner and outer parts of the subunit are preferably the same length. The outer diameter of the outer shells 32a, 34a is about 6 inches (˜150 mm), and the diameter of each inner hole 22a, 24a is about 4 inches (˜100 mm). The solid inner parts 32b, 34b have the same diameter as the inner holes 22a, 24a and are dimensioned to fit into the corresponding parts 32a, 34a but be easily removed. Means may be provided at both ends of the subunit to secure the inner and outer elements together so that the inner part does not slide out of the outer part.

  Although simple holes are preferred for the inner portions 32a, 34a, the rod 36 may be received in a locking hole so that the rod 36 is fixedly held by the corresponding hole.

  FIG. 5 shows a modification in which the insert 40 is provided at the end of each subunit 32, 34. The insert 40 has a hole 42 sized to receive the rod 36. The rod 36 has circular grooves 44 at both ends, and each insert has one or more spring biased balls 46 that are partially biased into the bore 42 by springs 48. When the rod 36 is inserted into the hole 42, the ball 46 is retracted and urged toward the groove side, whereby the rod 36 is held in the hole 42.

  The roller may be assembled with more than two subunits.

  The two subunits shown in the present embodiment are both composed of two parts, but this is not essential. Two innocent subunits may be used. When two subunits are used, one may be innocuous and the other may be a two-piece unit. When using two or more two-piece subunits, the diameters of the inner holes corresponding to the inner parts may not be equal. For example, one inner part may be 4 inches in diameter and the other diameter may be 3 inches. Although a two piece subunit is shown, one subunit may be composed of three or more substantially concentric elements.

  FIGS. 6 and 7 show variations of the first two embodiments in which one or more subunits 12a, 32a are each formed from a single foam piece. The foam can be a variety of suitable dimensions, such as 4 or 6 inches in diameter.

  Although an example of a hard roller has been shown, this is not essential, as long as the roller has the desired amount of elasticity. Depending on the material used, the roller may be solid or may have one or more longitudinally extending passages. These passages may pass uniformly through the subunits or may extend through one or more elements of the multi-piece subunits.

  Hook and loop fasteners are preferred, but other suitable detachable fasteners may be used.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many obvious variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

An elastic motion roller assembly operated between a user's body and a support surface, the motion roller assembly comprising at least two sub motion roller units;
Each sub-motion roller unit has substantially the same configuration with the same outer diameter as another sub-motion roller unit,
The sub motion roller units are connected to each other to form a single motion roller having the same diameter as each sub motion roller unit, and each sub motion roller unit can be used as an individual motion roller. There Ri separable der,
A motion roller assembly, wherein the at least two sub-motion roller units are formed of a foam material .   2. A motion roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein adjacent sub motion roller units are joined end to end.   2. The motion roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sub motion roller unit is tubular, cylindrical, or rod-shaped.   2. The moving roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sub-moving roller unit comprises two or more parts.   2. The motion roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one sub-motion roller unit is provided with a hollow tubular or cylindrical outer shell, a passage extending longitudinally inwardly, and a rod-shaped inner part. A moving roller assembly fitted in the passage.   6. A motion roller assembly according to claim 5, wherein the rod-shaped inner part constitutes a sub-motion roller having a smaller diameter than the motion roller assembly.   6. The motion roller assembly of claim 5, wherein the passage extends in the length direction of the first sub-motion roller unit.   2. The motion roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least two sub motion roller units are connected to each other at their ends by a connecting element.   2. The motion roller assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one sub-motion roller unit extends along a hollow tubular or cylindrical outer shell and at least a portion within the hollow tubular or cylindrical outer shell. A motion roller assembly comprising a second rod-shaped inner part.

Images