U.S. patent application number 12/222138 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-12 for proprioception enhancement system.
Invention is credited to Timothy P. Dicker, Brian Toronto.
Application Number | 20090042702 12/222138 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40347084 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090042702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toronto; Brian ; et
al. |
February 12, 2009 |
Proprioception enhancement system
Abstract
Disclosed is a band that improves proprioception. The band
comprises a soft covering and a tension-creating device. The
tension-creating device puts pressure on the skin and improves the
awareness of the user of the position of their body. The band is
placed over the muscle group that an improvement in proprioception
is desired. The preferred placement is over the belly of a muscle
in the muscle group. The preferred tension-creating device
comprises two to twenty elastic rings. Other versions have the band
attached to a shirt or other article of clothing.
Inventors: |
Toronto; Brian; (Arnold,
MD) ; Dicker; Timothy P.; (Tujunga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE NATH LAW GROUP
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
40347084 |
Appl. No.: |
12/222138 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11405137 |
Apr 17, 2006 |
|
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12222138 |
|
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60705103 |
Aug 2, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 ;
2/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/4019 20151001; A63B 21/4021 20151001; A63B 21/0555
20130101; A63B 21/4011 20151001; A63B 23/03575 20130101; A63B
23/1209 20130101; A63B 2069/0006 20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001;
A63B 21/4007 20151001; A63B 21/4005 20151001; A63B 21/00069
20130101; A63B 21/4025 20151001; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 23/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 ;
2/1 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02; A41D 31/02 20060101 A41D031/02 |
Claims
1. An article of clothing in intimate contact with a user's body
comprising a first fabric having a first elasticity and a second
fabric having a second elasticity; wherein said second fabric is in
contact with at least one muscle group of the user and comprises a
means for enhancing the user's awareness of a contraction of said
at least one muscle group.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for
enhancing the user's awareness of said at least one muscle group is
comprised of a plurality of ribs.
3. The system as recited in claim 2 where said second fabric is a
material selected from the group consisting of nylon and lycra.
4. The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said article of
clothing is selected from the group consisting of a vest, a shirt,
a sleeve, a band, shorts, pants and a belt.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said article of
clothing is selected from the group consisting of a vest, a shirt,
a sleeve, a band, shorts, pants and a belt.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third
fabric placed in layered communication with said second fabric,
said third fabric having a third elasticity.
7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said third elasticity
is equal in value to said second elasticity.
8. An article of clothing for strengthening a muscle group
comprising a positive fabric having a first elasticity and a
negative fabric having a second elasticity, wherein said positive
fabric and said negative fabric are configured in said article of
clothing such that said positive fabric creates a positive force on
at least one muscle group and said negative fabric creates a
negative force on said at least one muscle group and wherein said
positive fabric and said negative fabric are configured on said
article of clothing such that said positive force is applied to
said at least one muscle group in a direction opposite a direction
of said negative force.
9. The system as recited in claim 8 where said positive fabric is a
material selected from the group consisting of nylon and lycra.
10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the article of
clothing further comprises a form selected from the group
consisting of a vest, a shirt, a sleeve, a band, shorts, pants and
a belt.
11. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said article of
clothing is selected from the group consisting of a vest, a shirt,
a sleeve, a band, shorts, pants and a belt.
12. The system as recited in claim 8 further comprising an elastic
fabric placed in layered communication with only said positive
fabric.
13. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said positive force
and said negative force are equal in magnitude.
14. An exercise confirmation system comprising an article of
clothing having a first fabric section comprised of a first color
and a saccadic optical targeting device comprised of a second
color, wherein said saccadic optical targeting device is configured
on said article of clothing to be perceptible only upon proper
execution of an exercise.
15. An exercise confirmation device as recited in claim 12 wherein
said article is selected from the group consisting of a glove, a
body suit, a shirt, pants, socks, and a hat.
16. An exercise confirmation device as recited in claim 13 wherein
said saccadic optical targeting device is configured on an arm of
said article of clothing.
17. An exercise confirmation device as recited in claim 13 wherein
said saccadic optical targeting device is configured on a leg of
said article of clothing.
18. An exercise confirmation device as recited in claim 14 wherein
said exercise is a throwing motion.
19. An exercise confirmation device as recited in claim 15 wherein
said exercise is a kicking motion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the
benefit of Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/405,137,
filed Apr. 17, 2006, which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/705,103, filed Aug. 8, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The disclosed subject matter relates to athletic equipment.
More specifically it relates to equipment that improves
proprioception, the unconscious perception of movement and spatial
orientation arising from stimuli within the body itself.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many devices have been developed to repair the loss of
proprioception in medical patients. These devices are designed for
rehabilitation of injuries, rather than prehabilitation and
enhancement. These devices generally comprise a strap or straps and
place pressure on the injured joint. These devices are meant to be
worn as part of a program of physical therapy and not meant to be
worn by healthy persons. These devices are also not meant to be
worn during an athletic activity or athletic competition.
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,086,551 and 5,957,873 are examples of
proprioception therapy devices. The '551 patent is a compression
suit used for proprioception therapy. The '873 patent is a
compression vest used for proprioception therapy. Both use all-over
pressure to heal lost proprioception, rather than focused tension
on certain parts of certain muscles to improve healthy
proprioception.
[0005] Patent application publication no. 2005/0193461 discloses a
device that uses elastic to improve athletic performance. The '461
application discloses wrapping muscle groups, especially on the
legs, in strips of elastic for the purpose of capturing lost energy
from the muscles and returning the energy to the limb to increase
the power of the next movement of the limb. The device of the '461
application does not improve proprioception and does not place the
elastic on a specific part of the muscles in the muscle groups.
Rather, the elastic is relatively evenly distributed over the
muscles.
SUMMARY
[0006] The subject matter of the present application improves
proprioception. The use of sets of bands, strategically placed and
tensioned, can improve the wearer's proprioceptive abilities. The
system disclosed herein allows the body to be more aware of the
position of the limbs. It is a prehabilitative and enhancement
device. The system improves athletic performance by improving
proprioception of the wearer.
[0007] The present system makes the wearer aware of the position of
the limbs relative to the torso. This is achieved by applying
pressure to the skin and/or by applying various visual devices. The
pressure on the skin stimulates tactile sensors in the skin that
then make the brain aware of the position of that part of the body.
The system works by using accented compression, which is the
manipulation of fabric at different tensions to enhance human
muscle movement and to address muscle oscillation.
[0008] The disclosed subject matter includes a proprioception
system embodied various ways. For example, the prorprioception
system can be embodied in an article of clothing, i.e., a vest, a
shirt, a sleeve, a band, shorts, pants or a belt. When worm, the
article of clothing is in intimate contact with a user's body and
includes a first fabric that has a first elasticity and a second
fabric that has a second elasticity. The second fabric is in
contact with at least one of the user's muscle groups and includes
a means for enhancing the user's awareness of a contraction of that
muscle group.
[0009] The means for enhancing the user's awareness of the muscle
group is generally made of a plurality of ribs. However, the means
are not limited to a plurality of ribs and can include any material
capable of sustaining pressure against a person's body. The fabrics
can be, for example, nylon, lyrcra or any other elastic fabric. A
third fabric, having its own elasticity, can be placed over the
second fabric to provide greater elasticity or to add firmness to
the fabric. Adding the third fabric to provide firmness can be done
so that the firmness is applied in a particular direction. Though
the third fabric has its own elasticity, the elasticity of the
third fabric can be equal in value to the second elasticity.
[0010] A further embodiment of the present subject matter is an
article of clothing for strengthening a muscle group. The article
of clothing includes a positive fabric that has a first elasticity
and a negative fabric that has a second elasticity. Each of the
positive and negative fabrics can be, for example, nylon, lyrcra or
any other elastic fabric and the article of clothing can be a vest,
a shirt, a sleeve, a band, shorts, pants, a jumpsuit, a belt,
shorts or any other article capable of being worn by a person. This
system can have any distribution of elastic material within any
article of clothing. The clothing can have more than one length of
elastic material sown therein. The lengths of elastic material
could be placed in any orientation relative to the length of the
article of clothing.
[0011] The positive and negative fabrics are configured in the
clothing article in a way that the positive fabric creates a
positive force on at least one muscle group of the person wearing
the clothing article and the negative fabric creates a negative
force on that same muscle group. The positive and negative fabrics
are further configured on the article of clothing in a way such
that the positive force is applied to the muscle group in a
direction opposite that of the negative force.
[0012] An additional elastic fabric can be placed layered over the
positive fabric or the negative fabric. Alternatively, two
additional elastic fabrics can be placed over both the positive and
negative fabrics. In some embodiments, the positive and negative
forces are equal in magnitude; in other embodiments the positive
and negative forces are unequal in magnitude.
[0013] A yet further embodiment of the present inventive system is
an exercise confirmation system. The exercise confirmation system
includes an article of clothing that has a first colored fabric
section. The first fabric section includes a saccadic optical
targeting device. The saccadic optical targeting device is a color
other than that of the first colored fabric and is located on the
clothing article to be perceptible only upon proper execution of an
exercise. For example, if the clothing article is a glove, a body
suit, a shirt, pants, socks, and a hat, the saccadic optical
targeting device can be located on an arm of a shirt, a pants leg
or the brim of a hat. The type of exercise to be confirmed can be a
throwing or kicking motion.
[0014] The exercise confirmation system includes a band having a
tension-creating device therein. The band is placed around a muscle
group. Only one band is needed for each muscle group; however, the
system will function with more than one band. The tension-creating
device optionally includes at least two rings of elastic. The use
of up to twenty rings of elastic as the tension-creating device is
possible, but other versions could use more. Other versions could
use one elastic ring, or more than twenty elastic rings or any
other number of rings therebetween. The band could be placed over
the belly of the bicep when the band is used with the upper arm.
The belly of a muscle is the widest part of the muscle. Other
versions could place the tension-creating device in other locations
of each arm other than the belly of the muscle. For example, other
versions could have the tension-creating device run parallel to the
length of the body or arm.
[0015] The tension-creating device creates tension that improves
the proprioception of the user. The tension creates a light
pressure on the skin of the user. This pressure is enough to be
noticeable, yet light enough to avoid contraction of blood vessels
or causing muscle fatigue. In some embodiments, the band is
attached to an article of clothing. In the preferred embodiment,
the tension-creating device has a diameter that is one to two
inches less than the muscle group it is being fitted around. Thus a
15-inch diameter upper arm would use a band that has a 13- to
14-inch diameter, with a 13- to 14-inch diameter tension-creating
device. The preferred embodiment of the tension-creating device has
a tension such that a 13-to 14-inch piece of elastic would be
stretched to 15-inches.
[0016] The width of the band can be any size. The preferred
embodiment envisions bands with a width between 0.5 inches and 6
inches. Other versions could be more narrow than 0.5 an inch. Still
other versions could be wider than 6 inches.
[0017] This tension-creating device is envisioned to be a strip of
elastic material. The tension-creating device could also be a ridge
of material that projects within the band. Other versions use a rib
as the tension-creating device. Still other versions could use a
non-elastic piece of material that can be tightened. This piece of
material could be tightened by being pulled and secured by a toggle
or fastener. Any manner of fastener could be used, including, but
not limited to, buttons, ties, snaps, clips, cord locks,
statistical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners or adhesives.
[0018] Muscle movements are optimized in a throwing motion, for
example, so that muscle consciousness, i.e. the thrower's awareness
of his muscle movements, increases the farther the arm is from the
path of the ideal set of movements. By increasing proprioception,
the thrower can insure that his arm travels in the ideal path of
movement to optimize the throw. The present system can also improve
the athletic performance of other parts of the body or within the
context of other sports. In all cases, an ideal position or
movement of the body or the part of the body determines
performance. The closer the athlete is to this ideal, the greater
the optimization of the athlete's performance.
[0019] Another embodiment includes the use of an elastic band
without an article of clothing. In this embodiment, the band is
made of a covering and more than one tension creating device.
Another version of the embodiment that uses a band without an
article of clothing includes an opening in the band that can be
opened and sealed. The opening has a fastener on one end and a
corresponding fastener on the other end of the band. The fastener
and corresponding fastener could be a statistical fastener, such as
VELCRO, a snap, a button, hook and loop fastener, or a tie.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form part of the specification, illustrate the disclosed
embodiments and, together with the description, where:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows long sleeved shirt embodiment of the disclosed
subject matter;
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a short-sleeved shirt embodiment of the
disclosed subject matter;
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a band embodiment of the disclosed subject
matter on an upper arm;
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the band embodiment of the disclosed subject
matter;
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a full body use of proprioception bands;
[0026] FIGS. 6a-6f show various articles of clothing employing the
use of the inventive subject matter;
[0027] FIG. 7a shows a proprioception band applied to a shoulder
portion of a vest;
[0028] FIG. 7b shows a proprioception band applied to a should
portion of a vest with a second elastic fabric placed over the
prorprioception band;
[0029] FIGS. 8a-8c show an article of clothing for strengthening a
muscle group;
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a first exercise confirmation system; and
[0031] FIG. 10 shows a second exercise confirmation system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] With reference to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, each
sleeve 11 on shirt 1 has two tension-creating devices
(alternatively referred to as "bands") 3 and 4. The first
tension-creating device 3 encircles the forearm at the belly of the
muscle. The second tension-creating device encircles the upper arm
at the belly of the bicep 4. The belly of a muscle is the fattest
part of the muscle. In this preferred embodiment, a third
tension-creating device 2 is around the body of the shirt 1 placed
just underneath the pectoral muscles. An optional fourth
tension-creating device 5 can be placed around the shoulder. The
shirt 1 has bands sown into it. The chest band 2 is shown
encircling the torso, just underneath the pectoral muscles. In FIG.
1, the shoulder band 5 is shown so that it is divided into a
"Y"-shape that is a single band at the bottom of the shoulder, but
is two bands at the top of the shoulder.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates the short-sleeved shirt embodiment of the
disclosed subject matter. The shirt 1 has bands sown into it. The
chest band 2 is shown encircling the torso, just underneath the
pectoral muscles. The upper arm band 4 is shown encircling the
upper arm at the belly of the bicep. The shoulder band 5 is shown
encircling the shoulder.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of the disclosed subject
matter where the band is used without a piece of clothing. The
upper arm bands 4 are made of a casing 6 and tension-creating
device 7. The tension-creating device 7 comprises two elastic rings
in this figure. The upper arm strip 4 is fitted around the belly of
the bicep 8.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates the embodiment of the disclosed subject
matter where the band is used without a piece of clothing. The
upper arm band 4 is made of a casing 6 and tension-creating device
7. The tension-creating device 7 comprises two elastic rings in
this figure. The upper arm strip 4 has fastener 9 and corresponding
fastener 10.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the tension-creating device 7
has a diameter that is one to two inches less than the muscle group
it is being fitted around. Thus a 15-inch diameter upper arm would
use a band that has a 13- to 14-inch diameter, with a 13- to
14-inch diameter tension creating device 7. The preferred
embodiment of the tension-creating device 7 has a tension such that
a 13- to 14-inch piece of elastic would be stretched to 15
inches.
[0037] This tension-creating device 7 is envisioned to be a strip
of elastic material. Alternatively, the tension-creating device 7
could be made of rubber, cloth or string. In other versions, the
tension-creating device 7 could also be a ridge of material that
projects within the band. Other versions could use a non-elastic
piece of material that can be tightened. This piece of material
could be tightened by being pulled and secured by some kind of
toggle or fastener. Any manner of fastener could be used,
including, but not limited to, buttons, ties, snaps, clips, cord
locks, statistical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners or
adhesives.
[0038] Another version of the embodiment that uses a band without
an article of clothing includes an opening in the band that can be
opened and sealed. The opening has a fastener 9 on one end and a
corresponding fastener 10 on the other end of the band. The
fastener 9 and corresponding fastener 10 could be a statistical
fastener, such as VELCRO, a snap, a button, hook and loop fastener,
or a tie.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the inventive subject matter improves
proprioception through the use of bands 52, strategically placed
and tensioned around a user's body 54. The present system makes the
wearer aware of the position of the limbs 56, 58, 10 and 12
relative to the torso 14 by using the bands 52 to apply pressure to
the skin.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6a-6f the prorprioception system is
embodied in an article of clothing, i.e., a vest 16, a shirt 18, a
sleeve 20, shorts 22, pants 24 or a belt 26. These articles of
clothing can be combined with each other in various forms and sizes
depending on the requirements of the user. With particular
reference to FIG. 6f, the proprioception system is embodied in a
strap having an increased "zone of influence" 42. The increased
zone of influence 42 is a section of the proprioception system
having a thicker portion of fabric or a section of fabric with
increased (or decreased) elasticity depending on the objective of
the manufacturer. If two sections of fabric are placed one on top
of the other, one of the fabrics is allowed to slide over the
other. This sliding ability enhances respiration and promotes
sliding tension so the user can differentiate various muscle
positions.
[0041] When worn, the article of clothing is in intimate contact
with a user's body and includes a first fabric that has a first
elasticity and a second fabric that has a second elasticity. The
second fabric is in contact with at least one of the user's muscle
groups and includes a means for enhancing the user's awareness of a
contraction of that muscle group.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 7a, bands 52 are generally made of a
plurality of ribs 26 separated by a fabric 42. The fabric 42 is any
material that returns to its original form after stretching.
Examples of the type of fabrics that can be used as fabric 42 or
rib 26 in any of the disclosed embodiments include, but are not
limited to spandex, cotton, silk, nylon, lycra or any compliant
fabric. The ribs 26 can be made of the same material as the fabric
42 or a different material. The bands 52 are not necessarily
limited to a plurality of elastic ribs 26 and can include any
material capable of sustaining pressure against a person's body.
FIG. 7b shows a transverse fabric 28 that has its own elasticity
and is in place over the earlier mentioned fabric 42 to provide
greater elasticity and to add firmness. In this particular
embodiment, the transverse fabric 28 provides elasticity in a
direction relatively perpendicular to the ribs 26.
[0043] Only one band 52 is needed for each muscle group, but the
system will function with more than one band. The width of the band
52 depends on the wearer. As long as the band provides the wearer
with consciousness of the muscle being exercised, the band can be
as wide or as narrow as the wearer desires. For example, bands with
a width between 0.5 inches and 6 inches are possible. Other
versions could be more narrow that 0.5 an inch. Still other
versions could be wider than 6 inches. The use of up to twenty
elastic ribs 26 as the tension-creating device is possible, but
other versions could use more. Other versions could use one elastic
ring, or more than twenty elastic rings or any number of rings
therebetween. The band is placed over or near to the belly of the
bicep when the band is used with the upper arm. The belly of a
muscle is the widest part of the muscle. Other versions of the
disclosed subject matter place tension-creating device in other
locations of each arm other than the belly of the muscle. For
example, other versions could have the tension-creating device run
parallel to the length of the body or arm.
[0044] The pressure of band 2 is enough to be noticeable, yet light
enough to avoid contraction of blood vessels or causing muscle
fatigue. In some embodiments, the band is attached to an article of
clothing. In the preferred embodiment, the tension-creating device
has a diameter that is one to two inch less than the muscle group
it is being fitted around. Thus, a 15-inch diameter upper arm would
use a band that has a 13- to 14-inch diameter, with a 13- to
14-inch diameter tension-creating device. The, preferred embodiment
of the band 2 has a tension such that a 13- to 14-inch piece of
elastic would be stretched to 15-inches.
[0045] Band 2 is a strip of elastic material. Other versions of
band 2 use a non-elastic piece of material that can be tightened.
This piece of material could be tightened by being pulled and
secured by a toggle or fastener. Any manner of fastener could be
used, including, but not limited to, buttons, ties, snaps, clips,
cord locks, statistical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners or
adhesives.
[0046] The elastic band can used without an article of clothing. In
such an embodiment, the band is made of a covering and more than
one tension creating device. Another version of the embodiment that
uses a band without an article of clothing includes a discontinuity
in the band that can be opened and sealed. The opening has a
fastener on one end and a corresponding fastener on the other end
of the band. The fastener and corresponding fastener could be a
statistical fastener, such as VELCRO, a snap, a button, hook and
loop fastener, or a tie.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 8a, a further embodiment of the present
subject matter is an article of clothing 28 for strengthening a
muscle group. The article of clothing 28 includes a positive fabric
30 that has a first elasticity and a negative fabric 32 that has a
second elasticity. Each of the positive and negative fabrics 30 and
32 can be, for example, nylon, lyrcra or any other elastic fabric
and the article of clothing can be a vest, a shirt, a sleeve, a
band, shorts, pants, a jumpsuit, a belt, shorts or any other
article capable of being worn by a person. As an example, positive
fabric 30 and negative fabric 32 are shown positioned on article of
clothing 28 to affect the wearer's bicep 34. Positive fabric 30
provides resistance against the wearer raising his forearm 36 and
negative fabric 32 provides resistance against lowering his forearm
36. In some embodiments, the positive and negative fabrics are made
removable from the article of clothing 28 to allow for the
replacement thereof with more or less elastic materials. Thus, the
resistance can be adjusted. Alternatively, the positive and
negative fabrics 30 and 32 can be made with attachable surfaces on
both sides thereof (such as a hook and pile type fastener or
bottons). With attachable surfaces, additional fabrics can be
placed over the positive and negative fabrics 30 and 32 to provide
additional resistance or to provide resistance or proprioception in
an alternate direction.
[0048] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8b, a single muscle
strengthening band 38 can be worn instead of a muscle strengthening
article of clothing. The single muscle strengthening band 38, as
shown in FIG. 8b, is generally a sleeve that fits over a person's
arm. In this case, tension in the muscle strengthening band 38
biases the arm toward a bent position. To straighten the arm, a
person must exercise the triceps muscles. The muscle strengthening
band 38 is not limited to use on the arm but can be used on the
legs and even the torso (see muscle strengthening vest 40 shown in
FIG. 8c.).
[0049] The embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 is an exercise
confirmation system 100. The exercise confirmation system includes
an article of clothing 102 that has a first colored fabric section
104. The first fabric section includes a saccadic optical targeting
device 106. The saccadic optical targeting device 106 is a color
other than that of the first colored fabric 104 and is located on
the clothing article 102 to be perceptible only upon proper
execution of an exercise. For example, if the clothing article is a
glove, a body suit, a shirt, pants, socks, and a hat, the saccadic
optical targeting device can be located on an ann of a shirt, a
pants leg or the brim of a hat. After or during execution of an
exercise, the saccadic optical targeting device 106 will come into
view of a person wearing the article of clothing 102. If the wearer
sees the saccadic optical targeting device 106, the wearer knows
that he has performed the intended exercise properly.
Alternatively, if the wearer does not see the saccadic optical
targeting device 106, the wearer will know that he has performed
the exercise improperly. The type of exercise to be confirmed can
be a throwing or kicking motion.
[0050] Muscle movements are optimized in a throwing motion, for
example, so that muscle consciousness, i.e. the thrower's awareness
of his muscle movements, increases the farther the arm is from the
path of the ideal set of movements. By increasing proprioception,
the thrower can insure that his arm travels in the ideal path of
movement to optimize the throw. The present system also improves
the athletic performance of other parts of the body or within the
context of other sports. In all cases, an ideal position or
movement of the body or the part of the body determines
performance. The closer the athlete is to this ideal, the greater
the optimization of the athlete's performance.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 10, the system 100 is helps a runner
visually determine a his speed. A pair of pants 200 are worn by a
person wishing to maintain a certain speed. At least one of the
pants legs 202 has a passive speed indicator 204. The passive speed
indicator 204 includes a plurality of sights 206. A first leg sight
208 represents a 3.0 mile per hour walking gate or jog. That is,
the first sight 208 comes into the wearer's visual peripheral view
when the wearer is walking or jogging at 3.0 miles per hour. A
first arm sight 210 is placed on the user's left arm to provide a
back-up passive speed indicator. The first arm sight is at the
runner's elbow. A second leg sight 212 and a second arm sight 214
are provided as passive speed indicators to show that wearer is
moving at 3.5 miles per hour. The second arm sight 214 is about six
inches from the elbow. In accordance with oculomotor behavioral
characteristics, the second leg sight 212 and the arm sight 214 are
larger than the first leg sight 206 and the first arm sight 210.
Oculomotor behavior is disclosed by Stone et al. Journal of Vision:
Linking Eye Movements and Perception, Vol. 3, No. 11, the contents
of which is incorporated herein in its' entirety. The location and
speeds of the passive speed indicator 204 are variable. For
example, higher or lower speeds can be associated with a different
location of the passive speed indicator 204. For example, a person
training to run at a minimum speed can use the passive indictor 204
as an indicator that a minimum speed of 5 miles per hour is being
maintained. Alternatively, a person wishing to avoid running too
fast can use the passive speed indicator as a check to make sure
that a speed of 2.0 miles per hour is not passed. Alternatively,
the same speeds, of 3.0 and 3.5 miles per hour can be associated
with the passive speed indicator 204 when the passive speed
indicator is located on a different location of various articles of
clothing such, but not limited to, as a shoe, a vest, a belt,
socks, gloves, wrist bands, anklets or any other article of
clothing.
EXAMPLE
[0052] In a trial, the inventor tested five subjects. The test
included three females and two males. Female subject #1 was five
feet, three inches tall and weighed one hundred and thirty pounds.
Female subject #2 was five feet, eleven inches tall and weighed one
hundred and forty-eight pounds. Female subject #3 was five feet,
five inches tall and weighed one hundred and twenty-five pounds.
Male subject #1 was five feet, eleven inches tall and weighed one
hundred and seventy-two pounds and Male subject #2 was six feet,
two inches tall and weighed one hundred and eighty-five pounds. All
subjects viewed the first marker at 3.0 miles per hour when the
marker was placed at the tip of the kneecap. The 3.5 mile per hour
marker was seen by the females at three inches above the first
maker and males viewed it at three and three quarter inches above
the first marker.
[0053] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes and modification may be made which clearly fall within the
scope of the disclosed subject matter. The previous description of
the disclosed functions is provided to enable any person skilled in
the development process for a similar concept to make or use the
present inventive subject matter. Various modifications to these
functions will be readily apparent and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to additional functions without
departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter.
For example, one or more of the brake system functions can be
rearranged and/or combined, or additional functional elements may
be added. Thus, the present inventive subject matter is not
intended to be limited to the set of functions shown herein but is
to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
novel features disclosed herein.
[0054] It will be understood that many additional changes in the
details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been
herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the
disclosed subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art
within the principle and scope of the disclosed subject matter as
expressed in the appended claims.
* * * * *