Trunk exercise device

Abstract

A trunk exercise device enables strengthening of specific muscles of the abdominal cavity and lower back. This device can be used from a seated or standing position. A back pad is positioned adjacent to the lumbar vertebrae of the user. The back pad is preferably mounted to an arm that is pivotally mounted to the frame. A bias member is in communication with the pad, either directly or preferably by the arm, and the frame. This offers resistance to movement of the pad relative to the user. With the user substantially stationary relative to the machine, the user undergoes posterior pelvic rotation and posterior translation of some of the lumbar vertebrae. This is accomplished by contracting some of the abdominal muscles and other trunk muscles, thereby moving the pad. An anterior trunk flexion handle bar may also be included. The handle bar may be mounted to a substantially longitudinal extension that is pivotally mounted to the frame directly or by being rigidly mounted to the arm of the back pad. The handle bar may take many forms and is preferably a sphere that is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the longitudinal extension. This handle bar can be grasped by the user and applies a resistance to trunk flexion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A trunk exercise device comprising: 
 a substantially rigid frame;    a back pad being movably mounted to said frame; and    a bias member mounted to said frame thereby providing resistance to movement of said back pad.    
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said back pad is positioned adjacent to the lumbar vertebrae of a user positioned in the device.  
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said back pad is movably mounted to said frame by way of an arm member that supports said back pad and is movably mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 3 , further comprising an anterior trunk flexion handle bar that is rigidly mounted to said arm member.  
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 3 , wherein said arm member is pivotally mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 3 , wherein said arm member is a substantially longitudinal member with said back pad on a first end, mounted to said frame at a second end and said bias member mounted to said arm member between said first end and said second end.  
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising an anterior trunk flexion handle bar movably mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is pivotally mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is comprised of a sphere mounted on a distal end of a substantially longitudinal extension.  
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 9 , wherein said sphere is rotatably mounted on said substantially longitudinal extension.  
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is adapted to enable adjustable positioning relative to said frame.  
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 11 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is adjustable in a plane of movement of said back pad and adjustable perpendicular to the plane of movement of said back pad.  
     
     
         13 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein said bias member is comprised of a slotted spring.  
     
     
         14 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a seat mounted to said frame and adapted to support the weight of a user.  
     
     
         15 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said bias member is a tension spring.  
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 15 , wherein said tension spring is a slotted spring.  
     
     
         17 . A device as in  claim 15 , wherein said slotted spring is a spring fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, spring steel and carbon fiber.  
     
     
         18 . A device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of resistance handles mounted to said frame and positioned such that a user can apply a force thereto to oppose a reaction force generated against said back pad.  
     
     
         19 . A trunk exercise device comprising: 
 a frame; and    a back pad adapted to enable resistance to posterior pelvic tilt and posterior lumbar vertebral translation, the back pad being mounted on an arm that is movably mounted to said frame, the resistance provided by a bias member in communication with said arm and said frame.    
     
     
         20 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein said back pad is positioned adjacent to the lumbar vertebrae of a user positioned in the device.  
     
     
         21 . A device as in  claim 19 , further comprising an anterior trunk flexion handle bar that is mounted to said arm.  
     
     
         22 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein said arm member is pivotally mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         23 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein said arm member is a substantially longitudinal member with said back pad on a first end, mounted to said frame at a second end and said bias member mounted to said arm member between said first end and said second end.  
     
     
         24 . A device as in  claim 19 , further comprising an anterior trunk flexion handle bar movably mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         25 . A device as in  claim 24 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is pivotally mounted to said frame.  
     
     
         26 . A device as in  claim 24 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is comprised of a sphere mounted on a distal end of a substantially longitudinal extension.  
     
     
         27 . A device as in  claim 26 , wherein said sphere is rotatably mounted on said substantially longitudinal extension.  
     
     
         28 . A device as in  claim 24 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is adapted to enable adjustable positioning relative to said frame.  
     
     
         29 . A device as in  claim 28 , wherein said trunk flexion handle bar is adjustable in a plane of movement of said back pad and adjustable perpendicular to the plane of movement of said back pad.  
     
     
         30 . A device as in  claim 24 , wherein said bias member is comprised of a slotted spring.  
     
     
         31 . A device as in  claim 19 , further comprising a seat mounted to said frame and adapted to support the weight of a user.  
     
     
         32 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein said bias member is a tension spring.  
     
     
         33 . A device as in  claim 32 , wherein said tension spring is a slotted spring.  
     
     
         34 . A device as in  claim 32 , wherein said slotted spring is a spring fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, spring steel and carbon fiber.  
     
     
         35 . A device as in  claim 19 , further comprising a pair of resistance handles mounted to said frame and positioned such that a user can apply a force thereto to oppose a reaction force generated against said back pad.  
     
     
         36 . A trunk exercise method including the steps of: 
 providing a trunk exercise device comprising: 
 a substantially rigid frame;  
 a back pad being movably mounted to said frame; and  
 a bias member mounted to said frame thereby providing resistance to movement of said back pad;  
   positioning a user's lumbar vertebrae adjacent to said back pad;    applying force to said back pad by posterior rotation of the pelvis and posterior translation a portion of the lumbar spine; and    deforming said bias member, thereby exercising trunk muscles of the user.    
     
     
         37 . The exercise method as in  claim 36  further comprising: 
 providing an anterior trunk flexion handle bar that is mounted to an arm member that supports said back pad;  
 grasping said handle bar and displacing said handle bar in an anterior direction, flexing the user's trunk while deforming said bias member, thereby exercising trunk muscles of the user.