U.S. patent application number 12/250782 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for step exercise and physical therapy device.
Invention is credited to Miguel Cummings, Tommy Moring, JR., David Wilber.
Application Number | 20090291807 12/250782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41342536 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090291807 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moring, JR.; Tommy ; et
al. |
November 26, 2009 |
STEP EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY DEVICE
Abstract
An improved step exercise platform is presented, that can be
used to address specific muscle groups in the legs. The muscle
groups can be exercised with a proper angle taken by the foot,
which is held at said angle by means of angled steps on the front,
back, and sides of the invention. Certain muscle conditions such as
Piriformis Syndrome can be treated in physical therapy by means of
this invention, and certain training goals can be reached as
well.
Inventors: |
Moring, JR.; Tommy; (San
Marcos, CA) ; Cummings; Miguel; (San Marcos, CA)
; Wilber; David; (Carlsbad, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEVEN W. WEBB
825 College Blvd., Suite 102620
Oceanside
CA
92057
US
|
Family ID: |
41342536 |
Appl. No.: |
12/250782 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61054843 |
May 21, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0054 20130101;
A63B 2023/0411 20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. A step exercise device comprised of a pedestal base, a left
step, a right step, a front step, a back step, and a center step,
the step exercise device cast or machined from light-weight, rigid,
strong material, the center step in a flat shape, the left, right,
front, and back steps each placed at an angle to the center step,
the angle of placement between five (5) and thirty (30) degrees,
the five steps each possessing a landing surface on their upper
sides, the landing surface comprised of a material that possesses a
high coefficient of friction, the five steps and the plurality of
landing surfaces large enough to accommodate a human foot, the
upper surface of the step exercise device possessing a plurality of
hook points arranged around the upper surface of the step exercise
device, the angle at which the steps are place with respect to the
horizontal selected to maximize the ergonomic and biomechanical
effect of placing a human foot on said steps during an exercise
routine.
6. A step exercise device as in claim 1 where the material is
selected from the list of plastic, aluminum, and ceramic, and the
hook points are constructed as a formed slot cut or cast into the
material of the step exercise device.
7. A method of using a step exercise device as in claim 1,
comprised of the steps of attaching elastic tubing to one or more
hook points, performing 30 wide regular squats while stepping on
the step exercise device without using the tubing for resistance,
performing 30 wide regular squats while stepping on the step
exercise device with using the tubing for resistance, pausing at
the bottom of every repetition of the above exercises for a count
of five, doing pulses, or little repetitions at the bottom of each
of the above exercises.
8. A method of using a step exercise device as in claim 1,
comprised of the steps of attaching elastic tubing to one or more
hook points, standing stationary at the bottom or top of range of
motion and doing upper body exercises, as follows: bicep curls,
triceps extensions, shoulder press, front raises, lateral raises,
rows, reverse flies, chest flies, rear delts.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application No. 61/054,843, filed on May 21, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the fields of personal
exercise equipment and physical therapy devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention addresses the need for a tool to
exercise specific muscle groups in a manner to increase the true
strength of the muscle.
[0004] True strength of the muscle happens at the tendons usually
during the eccentric phase of contraction. Muscle is strengthened
by overloading it with an increased stimulus of weight or volume.
The tendon of that muscle is strengthened in the same way; each
muscle has tendons that are connected from skeletal muscle to
bone.
[0005] The more applied tension away from the bone over time, the
stronger the attachment to the bone. There are end points to each
specific muscle; the one closest to the body the proximal
attachment is known as the origin of attachment where the distal
attachment is known as the insertion of attachment.
[0006] Taking a muscle through its complete range of motion is the
best method of strengthening these attachment points. The present
invention allows for this complete range of motion in the following
specific muscle groups:
TABLE-US-00001 Muscle Origin Adductor Brevis inferior ramus of
pubis Adductor Longus inferior ramus of pubis anterior to adductor
Brevis Adductor Magnus inferior ramus of pubis posterior to
adductor Brevis Pectineus superior ramus of pubis Gracilus inferior
ramus of pubis Flexors of the knee: Biceps Femoris ischial
tuberosity and linea aspera of femur Semimembranosus ischial
tuberosity Semitendonosus ischial tuberosity Sartorius anterior
superior iliac spine Extensors of the knee: Rectus Femoris Vastus
Intermedius Vastus Medialis Vastus Lateralis
[0007] The quadriceps group of muscles forms the major part of the
bulk on the front of the thigh. Collectively these four muscles are
the powerful, prime extensors of the knee joint but at the same
time are vital for the stability and well being of the joint. These
muscles have dynamic extensor roles such as in highly aerobic or
athletic activity and even when high energy moves are not required
it is important that they remain in good physical state or damage
to the joint is likely to occur, whether at the time or in the
long-run.
[0008] Anatomy of the Muscle Group
[0009] The name quadriceps means four heads but in this case, four
individual muscles with a common purpose. Two of the four, rectus
femoris and vastus intermedius, give the central power to extension
of the knee, working through the patella as a lever, while vastus
medialis and vastus lateralis assist in the extensor role but also
give vital peripheral support to both movement and the joint
itself.
[0010] Vastus intermedius is the largest of the four muscles. It is
attached to and covers much of the front and sides of the femur.
The central fibers run into the patella but on the two sides they
convert into flattened tendon, or aponeurosis that run down on each
side of the patella to the upper part of the tibia.
[0011] Rectus femoris runs down the thigh in front of the vastus
intermedius and can easily be seen in a reasonably muscular person.
It is the one part of the quadriceps that arises from the pelvis;
immediately above the acetabulum of the hip joint. Because of this
it is often said to be a flexor of the hip joint but in fact it has
poor mechanical advantage over the joint, making it of minor
importance in flexion under normal circumstances. Its prime role
over the hip is in support of the joint, rather as a dynamic
ligament. In practice the rectus muscle with the vastus
intermedius, should be considered just as the power extensors of
the knee. They both run onto the patella, from the lower end of
which a thick, powerful tendon, the patellar tendon runs down into
the tibial tubercle, the bony knob on the front of the upper part
of the tibia.
[0012] The patella is usually called a sesamoid bone, i.e. a bone
within a tendon where that runs over the major bone, not only
reducing friction on the tendon but also lifting its line of pull,
so improving the leverage and therefore efficiency. The patella is
a very overgrown version, running over the lower end of the femur
and so increasing the leverage of the quadriceps pull on the tibia.
This is also improved by the tibial tubercle. The patella is always
in relation with the lower part of the femur. With the knee
straight it lies on the front, but as the knee bends it tracks
round its lower end, it's gently ridged under surface running in
the groove between the two condyles of the femur. With the knee
bent at 90 degrees the patella lies on the end of the femur and in
full hyper extension like on the lowest point of the total tone
squat it is even further round. Because of the considerable
movement of the patella on the femur, the patello-femoral joint has
cartilage on both surfaces but the synovial membrane above also has
to be quite extensive. This forms a pouch above the patella, under
the vastus medialis and, with the knee straight, the supra-patellar
bursa extends about three fingers breadths above the patella and
controlled by a tiny slip of the intermedius muscle. The synovial
membrane of the bursa unrolls as the knee is bent. It is this bursa
that becomes filled with watery fluid, the so-called water on the
knee, in the synovitis of knee injury. The Total Tone with its
patented pitch and tilt angle provide accurate anatomical
ergonomics to reduce this side-to side friction.
[0013] It is important to be aware that the femur and tibia are not
in a straight line at the knee. Due to the upper end of the femur
being set on the side of the pelvis the shaft runs centrally to the
knee so that it meets the tibia at an angle; greater in a female
due to the relatively wider pelvis. Thus, with the load of the body
on the joint, the knee tends to be pushed medially towards a
genu-valgum (knock knee) unless effectively controlled, by pulling
up of the muscles on the inside. As a result of the angle at the
joint the line of pull of the muscles along the femur to the
patella has to change to give a straight pull down to the tibia. If
the patella does not have a compensating pull medially, it would
move in line to the tibia: i.e. it would track or even dislocate
laterally. This is in fact a common problem; a spontaneous lateral
dislocation of the patella is quite often seen in females, because
of the greater angulation at the joint. This happens a lot with
sports athletes. Our local studies have shown that the Total Tone
works the inner thigh muscles to such a degree that this issue is
minimized. Also, the wide nature of the squat on the Total Tone and
the foot position makes for that aforementioned "true squat
pattern".
[0014] Vastus lateralis arises from the femur behind the vastus
intermedius and runs down towards the outer side of the knee joint.
It converts into an aponeurosis somewhat above the level of the
patella where it joins that of intermedius over the outer side of
the knee.
[0015] Vastus medialis runs down the inner side or the thigh, much
as the lateral muscle. However it also has an oblique portion,
arising lower down the thigh from the thick tendon of adductor
magnus. This component forms the prominent bulge of muscle on the
inner side of the patella, to which it is attached. In a way it can
be considered almost as a separate muscle: it has its own branch of
the femoral nerve that supplies the quadriceps. The oblique
component is vital in ensuring that the patella tracks correctly
over the femur and counteracts any tendency for a lateral shift. It
acts in that important pull-up on the muscles on the inner side of
the thigh that also control the tendency to knock-knee. Recent
studies at Physiotherapy Associates, Mesa Ariz. teach us that the
oblique portion of the vastus medialis behaves more like an
adductor muscle than a quadriceps muscle. It is the most important
muscle in providing medial knee stability. The Total Tone's wide
squat pattern again focuses on the hypertrophy and strengthening of
this particular muscle.
[0016] The lateral and medial muscles while, supporting the other
two muscles in extension of the knee, also give valuable support to
the inner and outer sides of the joint. In fact the quadriceps
muscles together with the patella replace a joint capsule and
ligaments over the whole anterior half of the knee joint. As such
they are vital in producing stability in the joint. If they fail,
as so often happens after injury or from disuse, synovitis (water
on the knee) is most likely to occur. In the longer term
degenerative and other problems of the knee can be put down to poor
quadriceps control of the joint. Using the Total Tone as a
closed-chain training mechanism will help to rehabilitate and
recondition these failed muscles. Using the Total Tone as part of
your regular training routine will prevent such muscular
deteriorations from accruing.
[0017] The condition known as Piriformis Syndrome is often mistaken
for sciatica due to its symptoms on the sciatic nerve. Inactive
gluteal muscles facilitate development of this syndrome. These
muscles are important in both hip extension and in aiding the
Piriformis in external rotation of the femur.
[0018] A major cause for inactive gluteals is unwanted reciprocal
inhibition from overactive hip flexors (Psoas major, Iliacus, and
Rectus Femoris). This imbalance usually occurs where the hip
flexors have been trained to be too short and tight, such as when
someone sits with hips flexed, as in sitting all day at work. This
posture deprives the gluteals of activation, and the synergists to
the gluteals (Hamstrings, Adductor Magnus, and Piriformis) then
have to perform extra roles they were not designed to do.
Hypertrophy of the Piriformis produces these symptoms of Piriformis
Syndrome.
[0019] As shown above, the present invention is designed to work
each of the gluteals evenly, and align the spine due to the forced
positioning of the toe and lower leg compartment. This position
urges and supports active yet neutral gait.
[0020] Another suspected cause for Piriformis Syndrome is
stiffness, or hypomobility, of the sacroiliac joints. The resulting
compensatory changes in gait would then result in shearing of one
of the origins of the Piriformis, and possibly some of the gluteal
muscles as well, resulting not only in Piriformis malfunction but
in other lower back pain syndromes as well.
[0021] The types of exercises prescribed and available with the
present invention are unique to the sacroiliac joint. Lateral
translation happens across the sacroiliac to create mobility, and
the quadriceps, and adductors receive most of the weight transfer,
alleviating the spine and sacroiliac from direct stress.
[0022] Piriformis Syndrome can also be caused by an overpronation
of the foot. When a foot over pronates it causes the knee to turn
medially causing the Piriformis to activate in prevention of over
rotating the knee. This causes the Piriformis to become over used
and therefore tight, eventually leading to Piriformis syndrome.
[0023] The present invention is designed with knee gait and neutral
spine in mind. The spine is forced into the neutral position as is
the knee's gait when standing on the apparatus correctly.
[0024] Hamstring strains are among the most common injuries to the
thigh. Athletes suffer more strains to the hamstrings than to any
other thigh muscle.
[0025] The exact cause of hamstrings strain is not known. One
theory is that the short head of the biceps Femoris muscle is
subject to the highest incidence of hamstring strain because, as a
result of an idiosyncrasy of innervation, it contracts at the same
time that the quadriceps muscle does. Another theory is that a
quick change of the hamstring muscle from the role of knee
stabilization to that of extending the hip when running could be a
major cause of the strain.
[0026] What leads to this muscle failure and deficiency in the
complementary action of opposing muscles is not clearly understood.
Possible reasons include muscle fatigue, faulty posture, leg-length
discrepancy, tight hamstrings, improper form, adverse neural
tension, or an imbalance of strength between hamstring muscle
groups. Hamstring muscles function as decelerators of leg swing and
commonly become injured when an athlete suddenly changes direction
or starts to decelerate.
[0027] The present invention has been designed to build all of the
associated muscles evenly and symmetrically. It works at your pace,
you can be as aggressive or calm as you want to be with this
invention. The constant change of direction directly impacts the
hamstrings strength as we have seen in many of our case
studies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention is a new type of step platform to
address specific problems in leg muscle training.
[0029] The present invention is a unique design. It has angled foot
positions that are ergonomically sound in targeting specific muscle
groups. The angles are from 5 degrees to 30 degrees angle and
pitch. The quadriceps Femoris muscles (Rectus Femoris, Vastus
Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, and Vastus Intermedius) are taken
through their entire Range of Motion (ROM). The knee extensors are
3:1 times as strong as the knee flexors. The present invention
accommodates and supports this skeletal muscle size ratio.
[0030] The inventors have developed a system that enables any
particular individual to perform a correct squat, one that is more
effective than anything else seen.
[0031] There were two goals pushing this invention forward: 1)
everyone doing a squat should do them correctly and safely, and 2)
ensuring a proper gait and a smoothly gliding patella through its
corresponding condyles and trochlea ensures the safest and most
correct squat possible.
[0032] Trainers using the invention would ensure that their clients
knees do not supersede the toes, that the spine is as vertical as
allowable given the individuals flexibility, and that the power or
tension should come from the heel of the foot and not the toe.
[0033] The angles of the surfaces on the stepping surfaces on the
invention are set up ergonomically for setting the spine and knee
in proper functional alignment. By dropping the heel, all of the
posterior muscle in the lower compartment of the leg are stretched
to a level which allows for a greater pull and stretch on the
hamstring and adductor muscles. With a greater pull comes more
resistance, leading to increased strength. The adductor Brevis,
Longus, Magnus and Gracilus will all be engaged during this
particular squat movement.
[0034] The quadriceps muscles are the primary muscles trained using
the invention. Everything from the Gluteus medius, Tensor fasciae
latae, Psoas major, Iliacus, Pectineus, Adductor longus, Gracilus,
Sartorius, Rectus femoris, Vastus lateralis, Vastus medialis,
Quadriceps tendon, and Patellar ligament engage during this single
squat movement. However, this system has been designed with
movement in mind. There are more that 100 full body exercises that
can be done using the invention and its corresponding parts.
Another advantage of the present invention is, due to the increased
quad strengthening of the knee-supporting muscles, injury to the
knee is minimized. The present invention has also been used for
rehabilitation purposes for the quadriceps.
[0035] The invention can also be used to strengthen the hamstrings
and their connective tendons, by hyper extending them to a maximum
degree. Many sports injuries happen when an athlete pulls a
hamstring, this normally occurs when the athlete is decelerating.
Using the invention and its design to elicit the hyperextension of
the hamstring at its origin or on the pelvis strengthens those
tendons and ultimately the muscles to withhold more tensile or
applied force in both modes of contraction.
[0036] Taking a muscle through its full range of motion is the most
effective way to train all of the muscle fibers in that muscle. The
inventors have seen great results in the development of the glutes,
hamstrings and quads using this system.
[0037] The theory is that the ROM (range of motion) executed using
the "hyper squat system" is so full that it stresses the adductors
and the flexors of the knee to such a degree that the movement
strengthens the muscle's origin more than with conventional squats.
It is well-known that many athletes strain the hamstring muscles
during intense exercise. Increasing the ROM will prevent this by
strengthening the origin of insertion.
TABLE-US-00002 MUSCLE ORIGIN Adductor Group: Adductor brevis
Inferior ramus of pubis Adductor longus Inferior ramus of pubis
anterior to adductor brevis Adductor magnus inferior ramus of pubis
posterior to adductor brevis Pectineus Superior ramus of pubis
Gracilis Inferior ramus of pubis Flexors of the knee: Biceps
Femoris Ischial tuberosity and linea aspera of femur
Semimembranosus Ischial tuberosity Semitendinosus Ischial
tuberosity Sartorius Anterior superior iliac spine
Users of this invention have also expressed relief from their
piriformis syndrome (sciatic nerve syndrome). It is known that the
gluteal muscles are also trained to a very intense level.
TABLE-US-00003 Gluteal Group: Gluteus maximus Iliac crest,
posterior gluteal line, and lateral surface of ilium, sacrum,
coccyx, and lumbodorsal fascia Gluteus medius Anterior iliac crest
of ilium, lateral surface between posterior and anterior gluteal
Moring, Cummings, et al. Step Exercise and Physical Therapy Device
lines Gluteus minimus Lateral surface of ilium between inferior and
anterior Gluteal lines
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1. Perspective view of the invention
[0039] FIG. 2. Side view of the invention
[0040] FIG. 3. Top view of the invention
[0041] FIG. 4. Front view of the invention
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
[0042] The invention 100, as in FIG. 1, possesses a pedestal base
101, a left step 102, a right step 103, a front step 104, a back
step 105 and a center step 106. The invention is cast or machined
from light-weight, rigid, strong material, such as plastic or
aluminum.
[0043] The steps 102-106 each have a landing surface 107 comprised
of a material that possesses a high coefficient of friction. The
five steps and the plurality of landing surfaces 107 are designed
to be large enough to accommodate a human foot.
[0044] As in FIG. 2, the left step 102, the right step 103, and the
front step 104 and back step 105 are manufactured to be canted at
an angle to the horizontal between 5 and 30 degrees. The three
angles 120,121, and 123 are respectively the angle of the front
step 104, the back step 105, and the left step 102 and right step
103 to the horizontal.
[0045] The angle 124 indicates a forward pitch angle on the left
step 102 and right step 103. This is a pitch angle to the
horizontal that raises the front of both the left step 102 and
right step 103 at an angle between 5 and 30 degrees.
[0046] These steps are not adjustable, and the respective angle is
selected before the specific instantiation of the invention 100 is
cast or machined. Multiple versions of the invention 100 can be
manufactured with step angles between 5 and 30 degrees, the left
step 102 and he right step 103 possessing the same angle 123 from
the horizontal in each instantiation.
[0047] There is a plurality of hook points 110 arranged around the
upper surface of the invention 100. Each hook point is a formed,
slot, cut, or cast into the material of the invention. The
arrangement of hook points 110 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is the
preferred embodiment of the invention, but other arrangements are
possible, and are included in this application. In an alternate
embodiment. Additional hook points can be added by the user, or the
manufacturer, and the existing hook points can be moved to
alternate locations.
[0048] The invention is used by selecting a series of exercises to
be performed to address a specific muscle group, and then selecting
an embodiment of the invention that possesses the desired step
angles to position the feet for the exercise, then performing the
exercises. Elastic tubing (not shown) can be inserted into the hook
points 110 and held by the user to aid in performing the exercise
protocol. A typical exercise protocol is as follows:
Exercise Protocol
[0049] Exercises can be performed with or without additional
resistance means, such as elastic tubing or free weights. [0050]
1). Wide regular squats without resistance
[0051] A). a plurality of wide squats without resistance
[0052] B). a plurality of wide squats with resistance
[0053] C). Every 10th Rep pause at bottom for a 5 count
[0054] D). You can also do pulses or little reps at the bottom of
the motion
[0055] E). Slow 5 to 8 count up and 5 to 8 count down [0056] 2).
Stationary at bottom or top of ROM and do upper body exercise
[0057] A). Bicep curls
[0058] B). Triceps extensions
[0059] C). Shoulder press
[0060] D). Front raises
[0061] E). Lateral raises
[0062] F). Rows
[0063] G). Reverse flies
[0064] H). Chest flies
[0065] I). Rear delts [0066] 3). Sway squats, where weight is
transferred from one leg to the other. This strengthens the lateral
and medial side of the knee.
[0067] While the foregoing describes a preferred mode and alternate
embodiments, variation on this design and equivalent methods may be
resorted to in the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
* * * * *