U.S. patent application number 15/130867 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for portable physical therapy and exercising device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Floyd W. Kaylor, Shayna Sorbel. Invention is credited to Floyd W. Kaylor, Shayna Sorbel.
Application Number | 20160228743 15/130867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50975477 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160228743 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sorbel; Shayna ; et
al. |
August 11, 2016 |
PORTABLE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND EXERCISING DEVICE
Abstract
A physical therapy and exercising apparatus comprising an upper
surface configured to fit a person's foot or hand, and a bottom
surface, wherein, when the apparatus is placed on a flat surface,
only a portion of the bottom surface touches the flat surface, such
that low-friction gliding on the flat surface, of the person's foot
or hand and apparatus, together, is facilitated.
Inventors: |
Sorbel; Shayna; (Newport
Coast, CA) ; Kaylor; Floyd W.; (Newport Coast,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sorbel; Shayna
Kaylor; Floyd W. |
Newport Coast
Newport Coast |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50975477 |
Appl. No.: |
15/130867 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13723057 |
Dec 20, 2012 |
9339680 |
|
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15130867 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20130101;
A63B 21/4015 20151001; A63B 21/4019 20151001; A63B 23/1209
20130101; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 23/0494 20130101; A63B 23/12
20130101; A63B 21/4041 20151001; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B
23/03508 20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101;
A63B 23/16 20130101; A63B 2209/02 20130101; A63B 23/03541 20130101;
A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 22/20 20130101; A63B 23/04
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/16 20060101
A63B023/16; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. A physical therapy and exercising apparatus comprising an upper
surface configured to receive a person's hand, and a bottom
surface, wherein, when the apparatus is placed on a flat surface,
only a portion of the bottom surface touches the flat surface, such
that low-friction gliding, of the assembly created by the person's
hand and the apparatus, on the flat surface, is permitted.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
openings, each being capable of receiving the hook of one end of a
resistant cord, such that when the other end of the resistant cord
is attached to a structure, the person wearing the apparatus needs
to make additional effort, substantially proportional with the
resistance of the cord, in order to glide her hand, together with
the apparatus, on the flat surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising two support rails,
one on the left side and one on the right side, wherein each rail
has a slot to be used to secure the hand onto the apparatus by
using a safety strap.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the portion of the bottom
surface that touches the flat surface is comprised of two sliding
pads, one at the front and one at the back of the hand
apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a hand rest and a
fingers rest.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division and claims the benefit of
U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/723,057, filed Dec.
20, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent
that it is not conflicting with the present application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The invention relates generally to apparatuses for physical
therapy and exercising and particularly to a foot and a hand
apparatus.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Every joint in the body has a "normal" range-of-motion
(ROM). Joints maintain their normal range-of-motion by being moved.
It is therefore very important that a person, especially surgical
patients, elderly, people with disability, and the like, to move
all of her joints every day. Stiff joints can cause pain and can
make it hard for the person to do her normal daily activities.
Currently, with a prescription, a doctor can either send a person
to an outpatient clinic to see a physical therapist or have one
come to her home to help her design a personalized exercise
program. People with arthritis often follow a therapeutic exercise
program and also take part in active leisure or recreational
exercise. Therapeutic exercise is exercise recommended by a doctor,
a physical therapist or an occupational therapist. It includes
specific exercises designed to meet individual needs and achieve
specific goals.
[0008] It is well known that, due to inactivity, blood clots may
develop, which may cause serious medical issues and even death.
Furthermore, because of a patient's lack of movement due to
post-surgical procedures or someone's sedentary lifestyle, there is
a need to safely bring movement to the leg or hand area to avoid
potential blood clots.
[0009] It is also known that home care costs are increasing in
large measure because there is no effective therapeutic device the
patient can use on their own to increase or maintain their
range-of-motion. Typically, when a person has mobility issues with
the knee(s), ankle(s), shoulder(s), and/or elbow(s), they have to
go to a physical therapist for the proper equipment to help in
their rehabilitation. That is very costly for insurance companies,
the government and/or the person.
[0010] It is known as well that because of the trauma post-surgical
knee patients undergo during surgery, they need a gentle approach
to after care in a way as not to aggravate their new knee.
[0011] In addition, for many years, it was thought that people with
arthritis should not exercise because it would damage their joints.
Now, doctors know that when the arthritis is under control, people
with arthritis can improve their health and fitness through
exercise, without hurting their joints.
[0012] Thus, if a person has arthritis, she has more reasons to
exercise: to keep her joints from becoming too stiff; to keep the
muscles around her joints strong; to keep bone and cartilage tissue
strong and healthy; to improve her overall fitness.
[0013] There appear to be a limited number of portable
medical/therapeutic devices available on the market to be used for
physical therapy purposes, i.e., to assist in gaining strength,
mobility, and range-of-motion from a surgically repaired knee,
ankle, shoulder, and/or elbow, joint replacement, normal wear and
tear, general injury, and the like.
[0014] Furthermore, the available devices seem to fail to provide a
simple, convenient, safe and economical way to help people with
limited mobility issues strengthen and increase range-of motion in
their knee(s), ankle(s), shoulder(s), elbow(s) and/or the like.
[0015] Thus, there is a need for a new and improved physical
therapy and exercising apparatus that solves the problems described
above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter.
Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0017] The portable physical therapy and exercising apparatus was
created to assist the physical therapist and patient in active and
passive therapy for gaining or maintaining range-of-motion (ROM),
increase muscle strength, and increase blood flow. The apparatus
can aid the physical therapist, the at-home health care personnel,
and/or the person undergoing care (under a doctor/therapist
directive) to increase their range-of-motion, mobility, and
strength. As it will be described in detail later, the apparatus
conforms and attaches to the foot (in one embodiment) or the hand
(in another embodiment) of a person and facilitates controlled, low
friction sliding on flat surfaces.
[0018] With the assistance of a resistant band as an attachment,
this is an easy-to-use device that operates to strengthen a knee,
ankle, shoulder, and/or elbow when muscles have been weakened. Some
common injured sites are: after one has had knee surgery to repair
a ligament, meniscus, and/or total knee replacement, the muscles
are weakened and/or atrophied; a frequent site of pain in the
elderly from years of wear and tear; and with athletes from the
tremendous forces their joints endure, to name a few.
[0019] The apparatus provides a simple way to bring movement to the
leg or hand area without stress, thereby helping avoid potential
blood clots due to sedentary activity or from post-surgical
inactivity. It helps alleviate home care costs because the patient
is able to conduct their own therapy (under a physical therapist or
doctor directive) almost anywhere.
[0020] The apparatus is also a non-invasive, gentle approach to
therapy from trauma caused by injury, prior surgery, wear &
tear, and/or natural signs of aging that cause range-of-motion
issues having to do with the knees(s), ankle(s), shoulder(s),
and/or elbow(s).
[0021] The apparatus is a portable device solving issues of not
being able to go to a physical therapist, as it can be used at home
and/or in office settings as an exercise device increasing muscle
movement and mobility. Because it is portable and can be used at
home, there is less of an issue of having to pay (via governmental
aid/independent insurance companies/or personally) the cost of home
health care.
[0022] The apparatus services all people, including but not limited
to: (1) pre-surgical patients, (2) post-surgical patients, (3)
non-surgical general population, (4) senior citizens, (5) the
handicapped, (6) athletes, and (7) adults and children.
[0023] The apparatus assists anyone who has had surgically repaired
and/or injured knees, ankles, shoulders, and/or elbows, with
increased range-of-motion.
[0024] By promoting increase in blood flow, the apparatus helps
prevent blood clots and the serious medical problems, or even
death, they may cause.
[0025] The apparatus can aid in the prevention of further muscle
atrophy. It is a non-evasive type of exercise to help people who
have had surgically repaired and/or injured knees, ankles,
shoulders, and/or elbows with increased range-of-motion.
[0026] The apparatus provides an inexpensive way (as compared with
machines typically used for rehabilitation and/or seeing a physical
therapist) for physical therapy to bring back proper
range-of-motion in knees, ankles, shoulders and/or elbows. It is an
alternative to the common physical therapy methods, which is simple
to use.
[0027] The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other
embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation
purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the
figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a top-perspective view of a foot physical
therapy apparatus, according to an embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 1a illustrates another (different angle)
top-perspective view of the foot physical therapy apparatus from
FIG. 1 (without the pad 101).
[0031] FIG. 1b is a side view of the foot physical therapy
apparatus from FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 1c illustrates a bottom-perspective view of the foot
physical therapy apparatus from FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a top-perspective view of a hand physical
therapy apparatus, according to another embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 2a illustrates another (different angle)
top-perspective view of the hand physical therapy apparatus from
FIG. 2.
[0035] FIG. 2b is a top view of the hand physical therapy apparatus
from FIG. 2.
[0036] FIG. 2c is aside view of the hand physical therapy apparatus
from FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 2d is a back view of the hand physical therapy
apparatus from FIG. 2.
[0038] FIG. 2e illustrates a bottom-perspective view of the hand
physical therapy apparatus from FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] What follows is a detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be
practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the
information included in the drawings is part of this detailed
description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention,
which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification
purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood
that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by
someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is
defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, the top-perspective view of a foot
physical therapy apparatus, according to one embodiment, is shown.
It should be apparent that the foot physical therapy apparatus
("foot apparatus") depicted in FIG. 1 is configured to fit and to
be attached to someone's foot when the foot is in need of physical
therapy and/or exercising (and then be removed), as it will be
explained in more detail below.
[0041] The foot apparatus may be made of materials such as plastic
(e.g., polyurethane, HDPE, Somos.RTM., carbon fiber, etc.) or other
suitable flexible materials. The foot apparatus has several unique
features that allow easy front and back, side-to-side movement of
the foot. First, as shown in FIG. 1c, there is a custom bevel at
the bottom of both the tip (115) and heel (117) of the foot
apparatus. Second, for support of flat feet and falling arches, a
strategically shaped arch (116, FIG. 1c) is carved in the center of
the bottom surface of the foot apparatus. It should be apparent
that, due to the bevels 115 and 117 and the arch 116, only a
portion of the bottom surface of the foot apparatus will become in
contact with a flat surface when the foot apparatus is placed on
such surface. Thus, a non-stick and/or low-friction contact is
created, which allows the person (e.g., a patient in need of
physical therapy) using the foot apparatus to glide or move front
to back or side-to-side with no or minimum friction. Such gliding
may be done on flat surfaces such as the floor of a room.
[0042] The foot apparatus may be equipped with four holes or
openings 107: one in the front tab 109, one in the back tab 108,
one in the left flap 103 and one in the right flap 111. These holes
may be used as necessary to add resistant bands 110, such as
Thera-Band.RTM. bands, bungee cord and so on, to the foot
apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, such resistant bands 110 may be
fitted with hooks at each end, for easy and quick fastening into
the holes 107 at one end, and to a suitable structure or object,
such as a fixed or quasi-fixed object (e.g., heavy furniture), at
the other end. Gliding with one or more resistant bands 110
attached, will require more effort/force, and thus, additional
and/or specific therapeutic benefits may be obtained such as
building muscle and/or increasing blood flow. As shown in FIG. 1,
the holes 107 may be reinforced for additional strength such as by
using additional material to make them, for example, taller than
the front and back tabs 109 and 108. The additional material may be
the same as the one used to make the foot apparatus, or a different
one, such as carbon fiber.
[0043] As an added safety feature, the side flaps 103 and 111 may
each have a slot 104 and 112, which may be used to secure the foot
onto the foot apparatus, by using a safety strap 105 made out of,
for example, Velcro.RTM.. Furthermore, the top surface of the foot
apparatus may be surrounded by a (beaded) rounded edging 102 for
holding in a removable pad 101 of neoprene/foam or equivalent
material, for providing additional support and cushion to the foot.
This is important as, typically, people with foot injuries will
have sores or bruises. Also, for added safety and for keeping the
foot in place when gliding backwards or sideways, a rounded heel
stop 106 may be provided, preferably, as an integral part of the
foot apparatus. It should also be noted that the foot apparatus may
have rounded edges 113 (right and left side flaps) and 114 (top and
bottom perimeter) for additional safety (e.g., to prevent cuts),
increased performance (rounded edge of bottom perimeter may
facilitate easy, low-friction gliding), and/or, very importantly,
for ornamental purposes (i.e., the round edges, together with the
other ornamental features of the foot apparatus, contribute to its
overall esthetic and pleasant appearance).
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1a-b, the upper surface of the foot
apparatus, upon which the foot sits, may be configured to be other
than flat, in order to better conform to the foot, such as by
having a raised portion 125 and two transitional portions 125a
(front) and 125b (back).
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 2, a top-perspective view of a hand
physical therapy apparatus, according to another embodiment, is
shown. It should be apparent that the hand physical therapy
apparatus ("hand apparatus") depicted in FIG. 2 is configured to
fit and to be removably attached to and work with someone's hand
for such purpose as physical therapy and/or exercising.
[0046] The hand apparatus may also be made of materials such as
plastic (e.g., polyurethane, HDPE, Somos.RTM., carbon fiber, etc).
The hand apparatus has several unique features that allow easy
front and back and side-to-side gliding movements of someone's hand
when using the hand apparatus. First, as shown in FIGS. 2c and 2e,
there is a gliding/sliding pad 210 at the bottom of both the front
and the back of the hand apparatus. It should be apparent that the
area of the sliding pad 210 is smaller than the total area of the
bottom surface of the hand apparatus (see FIG. 2e). The remaining
of the bottom surface of the hand apparatus is raised (see FIG. 2c)
such that it does not come in contact with the contact surface on
which the hand apparatus glides. Only the sliding pad 210 will come
in contact with the contact surface. The purpose of this
configuration is to reduce friction when sliding over a contact
surface such as a tabletop, a floor or wall surface. It should be
understood that the shape, size and/or location of the sliding pad
210 could be modified as needed (e.g., to correlate with the amount
of friction desired), without departing from the scope and essence
of the invention.
[0047] Furthermore, the hand apparatus is equipped with four
holes/openings 206 (see FIG. 2) as follows: one in the front tab
207, one in the back tab 207a, one in the left support rail 203 and
one in the right support rail 203a. These holes may be used as
necessary to add bands (not shown), such as Thera-Band.RTM. bands,
bungee cord and so on, to the hand apparatus. Again, as described
above when referring to the foot apparatus, such resistant bands
may be fitted with hooks at each end, for easy and quick fastening
into the openings 206 at one end and to a fixed or quasi-fixed
structure (e.g., heavy furniture) at the other end. Gliding with
one or more resistant bands attached, will require more force, and
thus, additional and/or specific therapeutic benefits may be
obtained such as building muscle and/or increasing blood flow. Also
as described earlier, the openings 206 may be reinforced for
additional strength to prevent breakage, such as by using
additional material to make them taller/wider than the tab or the
support rail in which they are located. The additional material may
be the same as the one used to make the hand apparatus, or a
different one, such as carbon fiber.
[0048] As an added safety feature, the side support rails 203 and
203a may each have a slot 209 and 209a, which may be used to secure
the hand onto the hand apparatus, by using a safety strap (not
shown) made out of, for example, Velcro.RTM.. Furthermore, the top
surface of the hand apparatus may be surrounded by a reinforced
border 201 for holding in a removable support pad (not shown) in
location 205. The support pad may be made of neoprene/foam or
equivalent material to provide additional support and cushion to
the hand. This is important as, typically, people with hand
injuries will have sores or bruises.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, a center hand rest 204 and a fingers
rest 202 is also provided to be used by the person using the hand
apparatus to rest her hand and, if any strength is present in the
hand and/or fingers, hold on to the apparatus. Whether or not
strength in the hand and/or fingers is present, the safety strap
described earlier may be used for additional safety.
[0050] It should also be noted that the hand apparatus may also
have rounded edges for additional safety (e.g., to prevent cuts),
increased performance (rounded edge of bottom perimeter may
facilitate easy, low-friction gliding), and/or, very importantly,
for ornamental purposes (i.e., the round edges, together with the
other ornamental features of the hand apparatus, contribute to its
overall esthetic and pleasant appearance).
[0051] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain
words and phrases used in this patent document. The terms "include"
and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion
without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or. The
phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as
derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,
interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or
with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,
interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,
have a property of, or the like.
[0052] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred
embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily
detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which
may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be
substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described
herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover
alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific
embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope
of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their
equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as
further disclosure into the specification and the claims are
embodiment(s) of the invention.
* * * * *