U.S. patent application number 14/076326 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for joint health exercise system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Gray Vining, III. Invention is credited to Robert Gray Vining, III.
Application Number | 20140302971 14/076326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51654844 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140302971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vining, III; Robert Gray |
October 9, 2014 |
JOINT HEALTH EXERCISE SYSTEM
Abstract
A joint health exercise device and system to exercise the knee
and shoulder joints of the body after an injury or surgery to the
joints of the knee and shoulder and to tone and exercise the
healthy joints of knees and shoulders. Use of the joint health
exercise device of the invention reduces pain and swelling of the
joints after an injury or surgery, decreases post surgical scar
tissue formation and increases the range of motion of the
shoulders, shoulder flexion, abduction, scaption and extension and
speeds up functional recovery time of the knees and legs to
facilitate standing, sitting and walking with the least restrictive
assistive device or no assistive device at all. The joint health
exercise device of the invention is light weight, portable and easy
to use at home or when traveling.
Inventors: |
Vining, III; Robert Gray;
(Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vining, III; Robert Gray |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51654844 |
Appl. No.: |
14/076326 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61810241 |
Apr 9, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/1663 20130101;
A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 21/4019 20151001; A63B 23/03508
20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B
23/0355 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/129 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/04 20060101
A63B021/04; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 23/035 20060101
A63B023/035; A63B 21/055 20060101 A63B021/055 |
Claims
1. A joint health exercise device comprising: a tubular resistance
band structure member; a band holder structure member hingedly
connected to a first end of said tubular resistance band structure
member through a hole at the bottom end of said band holder
structure member; a loop knot structure member configured at the
top end of said band holder structure member; an ankle/hand grip
strap structure member hingedly connected to a second end of said
tubular resistance band structure member through a hole in the
middle of the said ankle/hand grip strap structure member; said
ankle/hand grip structure member having a hook and loop fastening
arrangement; a set of stopper inserts at the said first and the
said second ends of the said tubular resistance band structure
member to hold the said band holder structure member and the said
ankle/hand grip structure member; and an unattached strap structure
member with a hook and loop fastening arrangement to stabilize and
secure the said ankle/hand grip strap structure member from moving
up or down the ankle or wrist.
2. The joint health exercise device of claim 1 wherein the said
band holder structure member is placed in the hinged side of a door
with the loop knot structure member inserted behind the door and
the door frame to hold the tubular resistance band structure member
securely in place attached to the door.
3. The joint health exercise device of claim 1 wherein the
ankle/hand grip strap structure member is secured around the ankle
using the hook and loop fastening arrangement to exercise the knee
joint.
4. The joint exercise device of claim 1 wherein the unattached
strap structure member with the hook and loop fastening arrangement
is placed around the heel of the foot and secured to the ankle/hand
grip strap structure member.
5. The joint health exercise device of claim 1 wherein the
ankle/hand grip strap structure member is secured around the palm
of a hand and the fingers leaving the thumb out to exercise the
shoulder joints.
6. The joint exercise device of claim 1 wherein the unattached
strap structure member with the hook and loop fastening arrangement
is placed around the wrist of the hand and secured to the
ankle/hand grip strap structure member.
7. A method of exercising the knee joint, the method comprising:
providing a joint health exercise device comprising a tubular
resistance band having a band holder with a loop knot attached to
one end and an ankle grip strap with a hook and loop fastening
arrangement attached to the other end; placing the band holder in
the hinge side of a door with the loop knot inserted behind the
door and the door frame to hold the tubular resistance band
securely in place attached to the door; placing the ankle grip
strap with the hook and loop fastening arrangement around the ankle
of a user seated in a chair with a pillow or rolled towel under the
knee atop the chair to enable the foot to float over the ground;
placing an unattached strap with a hook and loop fastening
arrangement around the heel of the foot and securing it to the
ankle grip strap to stabilize and prevent the ankle grip strap from
moving up or down the ankle; and swinging the knee downward and
allowing the knee to swing back up automatically to exercise the
knee joint of the user.
8. A method of exercising the shoulder joint, the method
comprising: providing a joint health exercise device comprising a
tubular resistance band having a band holder with a loop knot
attached to one end and a hand grip strap with a hook and loop
fastening arrangement attached to the other end; placing the band
holder in the hinge side of a door with the loop knot inserted
behind the door and the door frame to hold the tubular resistance
band securely in place attached to the door; placing the hand grip
strap around the palm and fingers of a user's hand while the user
is standing next to the door at arm's length of the tubular
resistance band; placing an unattached strap with a hook and loop
fastening arrangement around the wrist of the hand and securing it
to the hand grip strap to stabilize and prevent the hand grip strap
from moving up or down the wrist; and bringing the hand down to the
hip and front of the user and allowing the hand to automatically
swing back up to exercise the shoulder joint of the user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Reference No. 61/810,241 filed Apr. 9, 2013 which is
incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to exercise machines and exercise
devices used to condition and tone the human body. More
particularly, the invention relates to a resistance band exercise
kit to condition and tone the various joints in the body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Exercise machines in the market today are predominantly
designed for burning calories and maintaining cardiovascular
fitness. These exercise machines fall into the category of
treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, cross
trainers and the like. Another category of exercise machines and
devices popular among exercise buffs focuses on isolating and
toning specific muscle groups in the body such as abdominal
muscles, lea muscles, arm muscles etc. However, exercise machines
specifically focused on maintaining the health of the various
joints in the body are not well known in the art.
[0004] Joints or articulations play a pivotal role in maintaining
movement of the skeletal system in the human body. Maintaining the
health of the movable joints such as the ball and socket joints of
the shoulders and hips, the hinge joints of the elbows and knees
and the gliding joints of the wrists and ankles are critical in
ensuring the mobility of the human body. Yet, not enough attention
has been given to developing exercise machines and exercise devices
to condition and tone the various movable joints in the human body
or in restoring their health after an injury or surgery.
[0005] Post surgical rehabilitation of the body's hinge joints and
ball and socket joints pose a particular challenge. After surgery,
swelling in the joints of the knees and shoulders limit the
functional range of motion of the legs and arms and delay their
healing and rehabilitation process. Swelling in the knee after
surgery limits the ability of the knee to move through its maximum
range of motion and decreases the contractile ability of the
quadriceps and hip flexor musculature which in turn impairs the
ability to walk properly and slows down the recovery process. A
similar impairment manifests in the shoulder joints after surgery.
Thus, there is a need in the art for exercise machines and exercise
devices that isolate and condition the movable joints of the body
and maintain their health after an injury or surgery.
[0006] The use of portable resistance bands to train particular
muscle groups in the body have gained in popularity in the last
decade because of their ease of use as compared to the heavy
machines with resistance cords, cables, and pulley devices. Most
resistance bands in the market are comprised of an elongated
stretch of rubber tubing with handles that require a user to stand
on the bands and pull up, down, or sideways to maintain and release
resistance according to the capacity of the user. Many of these
elastic type band/tubing and handle systems do not provide
stability when used for strengthening the targeted muscles. In
addition, they do not specifically isolate and condition the
movable joints.
[0007] There is a need in the art for a simple exercise device that
is primarily focused on maintaining joint health as well as
restoring joint health after an injury or surgery. There is also a
need for such an exercise device to be portable to facilitate ease
of use at home or when traveling, without the need to go to a gym.
The present invention provides such an exercise device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention overcomes a deficiency in the prior
art for an exercise machine or device specifically constructed to
tone and condition the movable joints in the human body when the
joints are healthy and for their rehabilitation after an injury or
surgery.
[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
comprised of a tubular resistance band assembly made of durable
material with an interchangeable ankle strap and/or hand grip pad
having a hook and loop fastening arrangement and a band holder at
the opposite end having a means to hold the resistance band in
place when a door is closed upon the band holder. In this
embodiment, the means to hold the resistance band in place is a
cylindrical thick loop knot at the top end of the band holder which
is placed in the hinge side of the door beyond the door and door
frame and holds the band holder and the connected resistance band
securely in place when the door is closed.
[0010] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tubular
resistance band of the invention is secured to the door through the
band holder at one end and the ankle grip strap configured at the
other end of the resistance band is placed around the ankle of a
user of the device. In this embodiment, the individual wishing to
exercise the knee joint sits in a chair with a pillow or rolled
towel placed under the knee atop the chair to facilitate floating
the foot above the ground. While seated in this position, the ankle
of the floating foot is placed inside and enclosed within the ankle
strap and secured with the hook and loop fastening arrangement
which causes the foot to float further upward. In this embodiment
of the invention, a 12 to 18 inch unattached strap is placed around
the heel of the foot and secured to the ankle grip strap through a
hook and loop fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the
ankle grip strap and prevent it from moving up or down the ankle.
The knee of the floating foot is then swung down using momentum at
which point the resistance band automatically swings the knee back
up to its original position in a bouncing motion. This action is
repeated several times during the day or as recommended by the
health professional to tone and exercise the knee joint after an
injury or surgery.
[0011] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the resistance band of the invention is secured to the
door through the band holder at one end and the padded grip strap
with the hook and loop fastening arrangement configured at the
other end of the resistance band is placed around the palm of the
hand having the injured shoulder enclosing the four fingers with
the thumb on the outside. In this embodiment of the invention, a 12
to 18 inch unattached strap is placed around the wrist of the hand
and secured to the hand grip strap through a hook and loop
fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the hand grip
strap and prevent it from moving up or down the wrist. In this
embodiment of the invention, the individual wishing to exercise the
shoulder joints while in a standing position holds the grip padding
on the resistance band with the palms facing down. In this
position, with the resistance band at arm's length, the palm is
brought down to the hip and front of the body and the resistance
band then automatically swings the shoulder back up to its original
position. This action is repeated several times a day or as
recommended by the health professional to tone and exercise the
shoulder joint after an injury or surgery.
[0012] The process of performing active assistive range of motion
exercises, such as the exercise this device allows the user to
perform, is proven to decrease joint swelling. Decreased joint
swelling allows for improved range of motion through the ability to
reach end range with knee and shoulder flexion and extension and
limits scar tissue formation, another complication that slows
recovery. Decreased joint swelling allows for proper gait
performance and speeds post surgical recovery by allowing the
patient to walk and use their arms with the least restrictive
assistive device or no assistive device at all.
[0013] The embodiments of the joint health exercise device and
system of the present invention as described can be used in toning
and exercising the joints of the body after injury, or surgery as
well as when the joints are healthy.
[0014] In this summary of the invention and in the specification in
general, the various references to "the exemplary embodiment" and
"yet another exemplary embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the
same embodiment (s). Rather, these references to the various
embodiments only mean that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in conjunction with an embodiment is
included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all
embodiments of the invention. The objects, features and advantages
of the joint exercise system of the present invention described
through its various embodiments in this summary of the invention
will be further appreciated and will become obvious to one skilled
in the art when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, detailed description of the invention, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the joint health exercise
device of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the use of the joint
exercise device in one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the use of the joint
exercise device in a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is an exercise device and system for
toning, conditioning and exercising the various joints in the human
body to keep them healthy both before and after an injury or
surgery to the joints. The embodiments of the invention comprise an
exercise kit that is light weight, portable and easy to use at home
or when traveling.
[0019] The joint health exercise device of the present invention
speeds post-operative recovery of the joints in the body through a
painless exercise system that reduces pain and swelling in the
joints, decreases post-surgical scar tissue formation by keeping
the joints in repetitive motion and increases the post-surgical
range of motion of the limb connected to the joint. The exercise
system of the invention replaces the continuous passive machines
(CPM) in the market.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, more particularly to FIG. 1
the figure shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of
the joint health exercise device 20 of the invention. The device 20
comprises of a tubular resistance band 10 constructed from a thick
and sturdy rubber tubing material capable of extending and
contracting when resistance is applied to it. The tubular
resistance band 10 has two stopper inserts 2a and 2b at the two
ends of the tubular resistance band 10. A band holder 12
constructed from a sturdy non-slip coated material is inserted into
the tubular resistance band 10 at the end having the stopper insert
2a through a reinforced insertion hole 3a at bottom end of the band
holder 12. The top end of the band holder 12 is configured with a
cylindrical thick loop knot 1 to be placed in the hinge side of a
sturdy door with the loop knot 1 inserted beyond the door and door
frame. When the band holder 12 with the loop knot 1 is thus
positioned on the door and the door closed, the band holder 12 is
secured in place on the door to enable the use of the joint health
exercise device 20. In this embodiment of the joint exercise device
20 the other end of the tubular resistance band 10 having the
stopper insert 2b is inserted through a reinforced insertion hole
3b configured in the middle of a padded, ankle/hand grip strap 14
having a hook and loop fastening arrangement.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the use of the joint
exercise device 20 in one embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, the band holder 12 of the joint exercise device 20 is
placed in the hinge side of a sturdy, rugged door 18 with the loop
knot 1 inserted behind the door and door frame and the door 18 is
closed completely and securely onto the band holder 12 through the
loop knot 1. The height at which the band holder 12 is placed
between the door 18 and its door frame is approximately two thirds
of the height of the user. With the door 18 thus securely holding
the band holder 12 of the joint health exercise device 20 by means
of the loop knot 1, the tubular resistance band 10 and the
ankle/hand grip strap 14 remain on the other side of the door 18.
On the side of door 18 that holds the resistance band 10 and the
ankle/hand grip strap 14 a user 30 sits on a chair 32 with a firm
pillow or rolled towel 34 placed under the knee 4 of the leg that
has the knee injury or has undergone a knee joint surgery. Once the
firm pillow or rolled towel 34 is placed under the knee 4 atop the
chair 32, the foot of the leg floats slightly above the ground in
an easy resting position. Holding the leg in this position, the
ankle/hand grip strap 14 with the hook and loop fastening
arrangement is placed around the ankle of the floating foot and
secured to the ankle by closing the hook and loop arrangement of
the ankle/hand grip strap 14. Securing the ankle/hand grip 14 thus
around the ankle of the foot, causes the leg to float further up as
illustrated in this figure through the arrows and dotted lines
which are used for illustrative purposes only and are not part of
the joint exercise device 20. A 12 to 18 inch unattached strap 16
is placed around the heel of the foot and secured to the ankle/hand
grip strap 14 through a hook and loop fastening arrangement to
provide stabilization to the ankle/hand grip strap 14 and prevent
it from moving up or down the ankle Once the foot floats up from
the ground after the ankle/hand grip strap 14 is secured around the
ankle of the foot, the user 30 using momentum can swing the knee 4
and foot down at which point the resistance band 10 will
automatically swing the foot and knee 4 back up in a firm but
gentle bouncing motion. This exercise can be repeated several times
to keep the injured or operated knee 4 mobile and to increase its
range of motion so that it does not get stiff which frequently
results from injury or surgical procedure to the knee 4. Keeping
the knee 4 mobile in this manner also reduces pain and swelling and
decreases post-surgical scar tissue formation. The decreased joint
swelling of the knee 4 achieved by means of this exercise routine
using the joint health exercise device 20 of the invention, allows
for improved range of motion of the knee 4 and the ability to reach
end range with knee flexion and extension. Continuing this exercise
routine using the joint health exercise device 20 speeds up
functional recovery time of the knee and leg and facilitates
standing, sitting and walking, with the least restrictive assistive
device or no assistive device at all.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the use of the joint health
exercise device 20 in a second embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment of the joint health exercise device 20 the band holder
12 of the joint exercise device 20 is placed in the hinge side of a
sturdy, rugged door 18 with the loop knot 1 inserted behind the
door and door frame and the door 18 closed completely and securely
onto the band holder 12 through the loop knot 1. Once the door 18
is securely closed, the resistance band 10 with the ankle/grip
strap 14 hangs down on the other side of the door 18. A user with a
shoulder injury or surgery to the shoulders wishing to use the
joint health exercise device 20 stands next to the door 18 at arm's
length of the resistance band 10. The ankle/hand grip strap 14 with
the hook and loop fastening arrangement is secured around the palms
and the four fingers of the hand with the thumb remaining outside.
A 12 to 18 inch unattached strap 16 is placed around the wrist of
the hand and secured to the ankle/hand grip strap 14 through a hook
and loop fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the
ankle/hand grip strap 14 and to prevent it from moving up or down
the wrist. In this position, with the resistance band 10 at arm's
length, the palm of the hand secured in the ankle/grip strap 14 is
brought down to the hip and front of the body bringing the shoulder
5 also down in the process at which point the resistance band 10
automatically swings the shoulder 5 back up as illustrated through
the dotted lines and arrows showing the direction of the motion.
Repeating this exercise using the joint health exercise device 20
several times a day improves the range of motion of the shoulders,
shoulder flexion, abduction, scaption and extension and limits scar
tissue formation.
[0023] The foregoing description of the joint health exercise
device and system of the present invention through its figures and
preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of
the invention. It should be understood and obvious to those skilled
in the art that other possible variations, modifications and
applications of the embodiments described are also within the
spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims.
* * * * *