Device for exercising pelvic floor muscles

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus 1 for exercising the pelvic floor muscles of a female (not shown) comprising a hollow body 2 adapted to be inserted into a vagina and defined by a plurality of separable parts 3, 4, two in the embodiment, there being support means 5 of the body adapted to receive at least one of a set of weights 6 , the arrangement being such that the weight of the body 2 is variable depending on the number of weights, from zero to N, where N (four in the embodiment) is the number of weights in the set, for providing exercise of the pelvic floor muscles of a user. The two body parts 3, 4 are each moulded from physiologically acceptable plastic, are cup shaped and have interengagable screw threads 7 for joining the parts 3, 4 together to form the body 2 , and by which the parts 3, 4 are separable by unscrewing. One body part 3 , the lower as viewed and in use, mounts the support means 5 , which in the embodiment has an elongate member or spindle 8 which has at one end a larger diameter cylindrical plug 9 with a frusto-conical upper, in use, flange 10 . The plug 9 is a secure push fit in an orifice 11 at the base of the one part, the cone angle of the frusto-conical flange 10 being such as to be complementary to the (tapered) inner surface of the one part 3 adjacent the orifice 11 for centering and providing support for the support member 5.

1 . Apparatus for exercising the pelvic floor muscles of a female, comprising a hollow body adapted to be inserted into a vagina and defined by a plurality of separable parts, there being a support means of the body adapted to receive at least one of a set of weights, the arrangement being such that the weight of the body is variable depending on the number of weights, from zero—N where N is the number of weights in the set, for providing exercise of the pelvic floor muscles of a user.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , the body comprising two parts which are screw-engageable.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , the support means comprising an elongate member mounted in one part and extending into the other part.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , the elongate member being stepped with a push fit in an orifice in the one part.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , the elongate member comprising a plug for providing said push fit.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , the elongate member comprising a support part spaced inboard of the one part for receiving and supporting a weight.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , the support part also being supported against the interior surface of the one part.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , the end of the elongate member extending into the other part being received in a seating of that other part.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , the elongate member comprising a retrieval member.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , the retrieval member comprising a thread with a finger grip at an end remote from the elongate member.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , the elongate member and retrieval member being formed integrally.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , the integral elongate member and retrieval member being formed by insert moulding of plastic material.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , the thread being a monofilament.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , the set of weights comprising four individual weights.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , the support means being removable from the one part for cleaning.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , put up for marketing in a container having seatings for the body and the set of weights.  
     
     
         17 . A support means for one or more of a set of weights for apparatus for exercising the pelvic floor muscles of a female, comprising an elongate member for mounting at least one weight to mount the support internally of a body of the apparatus, and a retrieval member which in use is external to the body.  
     
     
         18 . A support means according to  claim 17 , including a support part in use inboard of the body for receiving and supporting a weight.  
     
     
         19 . A support means according to  claim 17 , the retrieval member including a finger grip.  
     
     
         20 . A support member according to  claim 19 , the retrieval member comprising a thread.  
     
     
         21 . A support member according to  claim 20 , the thread being a monofilament.  
     
     
         22 . A support means according to  claim 17 , being formed integrally of plastic by insert moulding.