U.S. patent application number 13/346886 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for device to increase muscle focus using touch.
Invention is credited to Christopher Anthony SILVA.
Application Number | 20120308976 13/346886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47261945 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120308976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SILVA; Christopher Anthony |
December 6, 2012 |
DEVICE TO INCREASE MUSCLE FOCUS USING TOUCH
Abstract
This invention provides touch stimulation to allow the wearer to
feel where the muscle contraction should occur. The present
invention relates to a device to increase muscle focus using touch
in which a band placed in contact with the body part to be
exercised includes a focus point device. A focus point device can
be removably attached to the band. The focus point device can be
formed of a rigid or flexible material. For example, the focus
point device can be formed in the shape of a half sphere including
a plurality of blunt protrusions on the round half of the
sphere.
Inventors: |
SILVA; Christopher Anthony;
(Little Egg Harbor, NJ) |
Family ID: |
47261945 |
Appl. No.: |
13/346886 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61492481 |
Jun 2, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/10 20130101;
A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 2071/0655 20130101; A63B 71/06
20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 2071/0602 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/247 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A device to increase muscle focus using touch comprising: a
focus point device, said focus point device including one or more
blunt protrusions, wherein said focus point device is adapted to be
positioned to contact the muscle.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a band, said band
including one or more attachment areas on an inner surface, the
focus point device being removably attached to the one or more
attachment areas.
3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of focus
point devices each of the focus point devices being removably
attached to the one or more attachment areas.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein said one or more attachment areas
include a hook or loop material and said focus point device
includes a hook or loop material, said hook or loop material of
said one or more attachment areas being attached to the hook or
loop material of the focus point device.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said focus point device includes
a half spherical base and said one or more blunt protrusions
extending from a rounded top portion of said spherical base.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said one or more attachment areas
include a hook or loop material and said focus point device
includes a hook or loop material on a rear portion, said hook or
loop material of said one or more attachment areas being attached
to the hook or loop material of the focus point device.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein a first attachment material is
positioned on an inner surface of a first end of the band and a
second attachment material is positioned on an outer surface of a
second end of the band, wherein said first attachment material can
be adhered to said second attachment material adapted for attaching
the band to a body part.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first attachment material and
the second attachment material is a hook or loop material.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the focus point device provides
vibration.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the vibration is constant or
pulsating.
11. A method for increasing muscle focus comprising: attaching a
focus point device adjacent the muscle; and performing an exercise,
wherein the focus point device touches the muscle during the
exercise.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the focus point device is
attached with a band, said band including one or more attachment
areas on an inner surface, the focus point device being removably
attached to the one or more attachment areas.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of focus
point devices each of the focus point devices being removably
attached to the one or more attachment areas.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said one or more attachment
areas include a hook or loop material and said focus point device
includes a hook or loop material, said hook or loop material of
said one or more attachment areas being attached to the hook or
loop material of the focus point device.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein said focus point device
includes a half spherical base and said one or more blunt
protrusions extending from a rounded top portion of said spherical
base.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said one or more attachment
areas include a hook or loop material and said focus point device
includes a hook or loop material on a rear portion, said hook or
loop material of said one or more attachment areas being attached
to the hook or loop material of the focus point device.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein a first attachment material is
positioned on an inner surface of a first end of the band and a
second attachment material is positioned on an outer surface of a
second end of the band, wherein said first attachment material can
be adhered to said second attachment material adapted for attaching
the band to a body part.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first attachment material
and the second attachment material is a hook or loop material.
19. The method of claim 12, further comprising vibrating the
attached focus point device during the step of performing an
exercise.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the vibration is constant or
pulsating.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/492,481, filed Jun. 2, 2011, the entirety
of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a device to increase muscle
focus using touch.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Exercise of a particular muscle group is often desirable.
The goal of any specific exercise is to strengthen a particular
muscle or group of muscles. Often, exercises are done incorrectly
by focusing on and contracting the wrong muscles. For example,
during rehabilitation of an injured body part, it is desirable to
direct the patient to focus on the particular injured body part
during exercise.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,170 describes an apparatus and method
for improving the effectiveness of exercise by providing an
exercise equipment such as weights or weight machines with a
vibration means to impart a vibration to the user in which energy
for the vibration means is provided by a movement or movements of
the user. The vibration is caused by rollers that are rotated by a
cable or belt attached to the resistance means. The vibration is
passed from the belt to handgrips attached to the belt.
[0007] It is desirable to provide an improved, cost effective
apparatus to increase muscle focus during exercises, which do not
require weights.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a device to increase muscle
focus using touch in which a band placed in contact with the body
part to be exercised includes a focus point device. In one
embodiment, the band is made of materials with elastic nature as to
not restrict movement in any way during exercise of the muscle
entrained by the band. The band can be elastic and include areas of
an attaching material placed around the inside of the band. Each
end of the band can include an attaching material for attaching the
ends of the band together to create a closed loop. Suitable
materials for the attaching material include a hoop or loop
material, such as VELCRO.RTM.. The band can be formed in various
lengths to support different body parts. In one embodiment, the
band can include evenly spaced areas of the attachment material
along the length of the band.
[0009] The focus point device can be formed of a rigid or flexible
material. For example, the focus point device can be formed in the
shape of a half sphere including a plurality of blunt protrusions
on the round half of the sphere. The flat half of the sphere can
include an attachment material for attaching to an attachment area
of the band. The focus point device can be placed adjacent the
muscle that is desired to have stimulation to provide the mental
focus. A plurality of focus point devices can be removably attached
to various locations of the attachment areas of the band.
[0010] The band can be placed around the body part in a way that it
is tight, but not restrictive of muscle movements or hinder
circulation. The band can be tight enough where full range of
motion for the specific exercise can be performed, without the band
moving. The focus point device(s) are placed in between the band
and the muscle where focus is desired to provide touch stimulation
as a reference point for the wearer. During use, a user would place
the band around the body part containing the muscle to be focused
on. The focus point or points would be placed on the muscle or
muscles that focus is desired, and then the user would perform an
exercise.
[0011] In an alternate embodiment, fixed or relocatable focus point
devices can be coupled or integral within various clothing items
such as shirts, pants, and the like, to provide touch stimulation
to the wearer.
[0012] This device can easily be used for medical and physical
rehabilitation and therapy to provide patients with additional
focus to strengthen key muscles.
[0013] The invention will be more fully described by reference to
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present
invention shown in use in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a band used in the device.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the band.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the band.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front view of a focus point device used in the
device.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a top view of the focus point device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description
to refer to the same or like parts.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of device 10 to increase muscle
focus using touch during use in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention. Device 10 can be placed around the body part
in such a way that it is tight, but not restrictive of muscle
movements or hinder circulation. For example, device 10 can be
placed around arm 11.
[0024] Device 10 can include band 12 and focus point device 14, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Band 12 can be formed of flexible or
elastic material 20. Attachment material 16 can be placed at
various attachment areas around the length of inner surface 17 of
band 12, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. In one embodiment, attachment
material 16 can be placed evenly at various attachment areas 15a-m
around the length of band 12. For example, attachment material 16
can be a hook or loop fastener material, such as VELCRO.RTM..
[0025] Attachment material 16 can be positioned on inner surface 17
at end 19 of band 12. Attachment material 18 can be positioned on
outer surface 21 at end 23 of band 12. Attachment material 16
attached at end 19 can adhere to attachment material 18 at end 23
for attaching end 19 of band 12 to end 23 of band 12. For example,
attachment material 18 can be a hook or loop fastener material,
such as VELCRO.RTM.. Attachment material 16 and attachment material
18 can be coupled to band 12, for example by sewing or an
adhesive.
[0026] Focus point device 14 includes base 24 and one or more focus
points 22 extending from base 24. In one embodiment, base 24 has a
shape of a half sphere. Focus points 22 can be blunt protrusions on
upper surface 25 of base 24. For example, focus points 22 can be
round nubs. Focus point device 14 can be formed of a rigid or
flexible material.
[0027] In an alternate embodiment, focus points 22 can provide
vibration. The vibration can be either constant or pulsating. In
this embodiment, focus points 22 can be battery operated.
[0028] Bottom surface 27 of base 24 can include attaching material
18 for attaching to attachment material 18 of base 24 to one of
attachment area 15a-15m of band 12. One or more focus point devices
14 can be removably attached to various attachment areas 15a-15m of
band 12. Focus point device 14 can be placed adjacent the muscle
that is desired to have stimulation to provide the mental
focus.
[0029] Band 12 can be placed around the body part in a way that it
is tight, but not restrictive of muscle movements or hinder
circulation. Band 12 upon application can be tight enough where
full range of motion for the specific exercise can be performed,
without the band moving. During use, a user would place band 12
around the body part containing the muscle to be focused on, such
as arm 11. One are more focus points 22 would be placed on the
muscle or muscles that focus is desired, and then the user would
perform an exercise.
[0030] In an alternate embodiment, fixed or relocatable focus point
devices 14 can be coupled or integral within various clothing items
such as shirts, pants, and the like to provide touch stimulation to
the wearer.
[0031] It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments
are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific
embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of
the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be
readily devised in accordance with these principles by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
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