U.S. patent application number 13/444130 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for wrist saver block.
The applicant listed for this patent is Elizabeth M. Andrews. Invention is credited to Elizabeth M. Andrews.
Application Number | 20130274078 13/444130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49325602 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130274078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews; Elizabeth M. |
October 17, 2013 |
WRIST SAVER BLOCK
Abstract
A wrist saver Yoga block includes a handle which decreases
stress and strain of a user's wrist joint by lessening the degree
of extension of a user's wrist so as to substantially prevent the
user's wrist from being positioned at a 90 degree angle with
respect to the user's hand when the user is performing Yoga, poses,
Pilates, push-ups, hand stands, dips or other upper body weight
bearing exercises.
Inventors: |
Andrews; Elizabeth M.;
(Flossmoor, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Andrews; Elizabeth M. |
Flossmoor |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49325602 |
Appl. No.: |
13/444130 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/10 20130101;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 23/1227 20130101; A63B 2209/08
20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise device that supports a wrist of a user above a
support surface, the device comprising: a body formed of a
resilient material and having a top surface, a substantially flat
bottom surface that directly engages the support surface, and a
lateral surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces; a
hole formed in the upper surface, the hole configured to have an
opening large enough to receive a user's hand; and a handle
extending from the lateral surface across the hole between the top
and bottom surfaces.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the body is rectangular
or cube shaped.
3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the device is stackable
on another of the exercise device.
4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the body includes an
interlocking mechanism to secure the devices when stacked.
5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the interlocking
mechanism includes at least one of surface texturing, pegs,
buttons, protrusions, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or
magnets.
6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the body is made of
foam.
7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the hole is symmetrical
within the top surface.
8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the hole is
circular.
9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle is a tubular
rod.
10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle is disposed
entirely within the periphery of the body.
11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle includes
raised protrusions to facilitate gripping by the user.
12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the handle is covered
and cushioned with an elastomeric material.
13. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the device
elevates the wrist with respect the fingers of the user's hand when
the fingers grip the handle.
14. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein a length,
width, and height of the body are different from each other.
15. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a
handle receiving portion formed in the lateral surface to receive
the handle.
16. The exercise device according to claim 15, wherein the handle
receiving portion extends from the hole to the lateral surface.
17. An exercise device that supports a wrist of a user above a
support surface, the device comprising: a body formed of a
resilient material and having a top surface, a convex bottom
surface that directly engages the support surface, and a lateral
surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces; a hole
formed in the upper surface, the hole configured to have an opening
large enough to receive a user's hand; and a handle extending from
the lateral surface across the hole between the top and bottom
surfaces.
18. A method for using a device for reducing strain in a user's
wrist while performing an exercise in which the wrist supports at
least a portion of the user's body weight, the exercise performed
on a substantially flat support surface, the device having a top
surface, a substantially flat bottom surface, and a hole having a
handle disposed therein, the method comprising: gripping the handle
with fingers of the user; engaging the bottom surface of the device
with the support surface; transferring at least a portion of the
body weight to the wrist, wherein the device maintains the wrist at
an elevated position relative to the handle; and performing an
exercise with at least one hand of the user gripping the handle of
the device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of and
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/785,868, filed on Apr. 15, 2011. The entire contents of are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates generally to sports accessories and
exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a wrist saver block
for Yoga poses, Pilates, push-ups, hand stands, dips, and other
upper body weight bearing exercises.
[0003] Lightweight foam blocks are known in the art of Yoga and
Pilates and are used for several purposes. Such blocks or "bricks"
are commonly used to achieve better form or flexibility while
performing a Yoga pose, for example, to aid users unable to touch
the ground with their hands during a particular pose. Blocks may
also be placed between the legs during leg lifts in Pilates.
Although commonly referred to as "Yoga blocks," such blocks are not
limited for use in Yoga or Pilates.
[0004] When performing Yoga, Pilates, push-ups, or dips, users
often experience pain in the wrist joint as a result of pressure
applied to the wrist and hand by the user's body weight. For
example, in a traditional push-up exercise, the user's hands are
placed at a 90 degree angle relative to the arm. This position puts
much stress on the wrist joint, resulting in pain and
discomfort.
[0005] When striving for the perfect push-up or plank, the most
ideal position for a person with wrist discomfort is to have their
wrist completely locked and straight. In orthopedic literature,
20-40 degrees of dorsiflexion of the wrist is considered an ideal
position for grip strength and axial stresses. This wrist position
is often observed in weight rooms with respect to exercisers using
dumbbells.
[0006] However, conventional Yoga or exercise blocks do not
alleviate wrist pain experienced by users. It is therefore
desirable to provide a wrist saver block, which overcomes the
preceding disadvantages. Thus, the present invention seeks to
combine a traditional Yoga block with a handle of a dumbbell to
create a two-in-one product that provides the features and benefits
of a traditional Yoga block for balance and support in addition to
a wrist support during the performance of upper body weight bearing
exercises.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A wrist saver block is provided for decreasing the amount of
stress and strain of a user's wrist joint by lessening the
dorsiflexion (extension) of a user's wrist so as to provide a
healthier and more comfortable position. The wrist saver block
decreases the amount and degree of extension of the user's wrist to
comfort the wrist and substantially prevent the wrist from being
positioned at an undesirable 90 degree angle and perpendicular to
the user's forearm when performing Yoga poses, push-ups, Pilates,
hand stands, standing push-ups against a wall, dips or other
upper-body weight-bearing exercises.
[0008] The wrist saver block is comfortable, economical, and
effective to help prevent wrist injuries. The wrist saver block
reduces the amount stress of weight-bearing exercises on the user's
wrist when performing Yoga poses, Pilates poses, push-ups, etc.
[0009] The wrist saver block incorporates a lightweight block with
a handle disposed therein to enable proper positioning for the
wrist to minimize wrist pain, while also serving as a Yoga block.
In some embodiments, the wrist saver block may be generally
rectangular can be made from a variety of materials including, but
not limited to, foam, cork and wood.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a wrist saver block
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the wrist saver block
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a person using the
wrist saver block of FIG. 1 to perform a push-up exercise.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another person using a
stack of the wrist saver blocks of FIG. 1 to perform a push-up
exercise.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of another person using a
stack of the wrist saver blocks of FIG. 1 to perform a dip
exercise.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a wrist saver block with
interlocking mechanisms according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the handle according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a wrist saver block.
[0018] FIG. 8b is an alternative perspective view of the wrist
saver block of FIG. 8a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the above-described drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the wrist saver block 1 has a
generally rectangular or cube-shaped body 10 with a center opening
20 (hand hole) generally in the middle of the top surface 11. The
center opening 20 is at least large enough to accommodate a fist or
hand of the user (exerciser) therein. More specifically, the wrist
saver block 1 includes a symmetrical cubical body 10 with surfaces
comprising a top 11, bottom 12, front 13, back 14, left side 15,
and right side 16. The body 10 can also be elongated or a different
shape without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0021] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-2, the wrist saver block
1 includes a manually grippable handle 30 extending through the
middle of the opening 20 from one end of the body 10 to the
opposite end of the body 10. The center opening 20 permits the
user's hand to grasp or grip the handle 30. In FIGS. 1-2, the
handle 30 extends from the front side 13 to the back side 14 of the
body 10. The handle 30 in the opening 20 may or may not be centered
across and within the depth of the opening 20. As shown in FIG. 7,
the handle 30 may include axial or longitudinal raised,
finger-grippable protrusions 31 to facilitate gripping by the
user's hand. The handle 30 can be solid or tubular and may be
covered and cushioned with foam, rubber or other elastomeric
material.
[0022] A handle receiving portion 21 is formed in the front side 13
and back side 14 of the body 10 to receive the handle 30 therein.
The handle receiving portions 21 extend from the outer surface of
the body 10 to the hole 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the handle
receiving portions 21 may have a size and shape substantially
similar to that of the handle 30, so that the handle 30 may fit
snugly inside the handle receiving portion 21.
[0023] In some embodiments, the wrist saver block 1 may be
generally rectangular and may have a plurality of unique sides that
allow the user to place the block at different heights according to
the user's needs (three unique sides if the block is rectangular).
When the handle 30 is not specifically being used, then the block 1
may be used in the traditional manner of a Yoga block. In this
manner, the block 1 can rest on any of its sides 11-16 creating
different heights from the floor. Thus, if a user cannot reach the
floor with their hands, the floor may be "elevated" by the block 1.
The block 1 may also be used as a balancing prop if the user needs
to hold onto something for more support while performing exercises
or poses. Alternatively, the block 1 could be placed under various
body parts to assist the user with alignment or comfort.
[0024] Accordingly, the broad, flat sides 11, 12 of the block 1 may
be placed on the ground to position the block at its lowest height
(FIG. 1); the sides 15, 16 may be placed on the ground to position
the block at its intermediate height; and the sides 13, 14 may be
placed on the ground to position the block at its greatest height
(FIG. 2). In an exemplary embodiment, the wrist saver block is nine
inches long, seven inches wide and four inches high.
[0025] The wrist saver block 1 and handle 30 are preferably
constructed from weight-bearing, shape-sustaining materials. The
wrist saver block 1 and handle 30 can be made from a closed-cell
EVA foam or similar lightweight, dense, and supportive substances
or materials including, but not limited to, cork, wood, bamboo,
impact-resistant plastic, composites, or metals such as, but not
limited to, aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4-5, two or more wrist saver blocks can be
stacked at a time, such as a stack of three, four, etc. The lower
wrist saver block 2 in a stack can be placed forwardly, sideways,
or upright so as to be longitudinal, lateral, transverse or
vertical with respect to the upper wrist saver block 3. The user
will generally grip the handle 30 of the upper wrist saver block 3.
A taller person would generally use a taller stack of wrist saver
blocks 1 compared to a shorter person. The wrist saver blocks 1 are
made of a sufficiently strong material and have enough surface
contact and friction so that the wrist saver blocks 1 provide a
stable, weight-bearing, shape-sustaining structure when stacked.
The elevation of the handle 30 above the floor or mat (especially
from the stackable nature of the wrist saver blocks) facilitates a
greater range of motion, enabling the user to perform deeper
push-ups and deeper dips for a fuller muscle extension.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the wrist saver block 1 may include
interlocking mechanisms 40 to better secure the blocks 1 when
stacked or nested. The interlocking mechanisms 40 can include, but
are not limited to, one or more textured surfaces, wavy edges,
pegs, protrusions, buttons, snaps, indentions, joints, Velcro-type
hook and loop fasteners, magnets, or such complementary joining
sides, to securely interlock adjoining wrist saver blocks as well
as to facilitate stability when two or more wrist saver blocks 1
are stacked.
[0028] An alternative embodiment of the wrist saver block is shown
in FIGS. 8a and 8b. The wrist saver block 100 is similar
structurally to the wrist saver block 1 described above, and
includes a body 110, hand hole 120, and internal handle 130.
However, instead of a substantially flat bottom surface, the block
100 includes a convex bottom surface 112. The convex bottom surface
112 provides a destabilizing surface during push ups and/or planks
that requires the exerciser to use more of their core muscles.
[0029] During use of the wrist saver block 1, 100 while performing
an upper body weight bearing exercise, the user's hand grips the
handle 30 in the opening 20 of the body 10 as one would normally
grip a dumbbell. The handle 30 is positioned high enough above the
ground to keep user's knuckles and hand from touching the ground or
mat (Yoga mat or exercise mat) when performing push-ups, dips,
other Yoga poses or exercises. The block 1, 100 is generally used
in a traditional push up or plank type of position, but may also be
used in other positions or poses, such as a standing push-up
against a wall.
[0030] The wrist saver block 1, 100 combines the usefulness of a
Yoga block with traditional wrist and hand comfort of a handle. The
wrist saver block 1, 100 is designed to decrease the discomfort of
weight bearing exercises on the user's wrist when performing Yoga
poses, Pilates, push-ups, and triceps dips. The wrist saver block
1, 100 with the internal handle 30, 130 keeps the user's wrist
joint at a more comfortable position while exercising by decreasing
the stress on the user's wrist joint. This enables the user to
maximize the effectiveness of the strength building exercise by
allowing more repetitions or longer posing.
[0031] Wrist saver blocks help with body alignment, form, and
balance when performing Yoga poses, Pilates, and other exercises.
The wrist saver block 1, 100 incorporates optimal wrist positioning
with the benefits of a Yoga block. In particular, the wrist saver
block 1, 100 adds the benefits of a wrist protecting device with
the benefits of a traditional Yoga block enabling the user to also
shorten the distance between the user's hands and the floor and or
Yoga exercise mat when stretching or exercising. This helps with
body alignment, form and balance.
[0032] The wrist saver block 1, 100 is also designed to support the
body in poses where flexibility issues may interfere with holding
proper alignment. The block 1, 100 may act as an arm extension in
forward bends and support the weight of the user's body in splits.
Users can also deepen a pose by effectively raising themselves from
the floor level through use of the block 1, 100.
[0033] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it is to be understood that various modifications,
substitutions, and rearrangements of parts and components, as well
as other uses, shapes and sizes of the wrist saver blocks, can be
made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as
described.
* * * * *