Patent Application
20220202640
The present subject matter generally relates to a vibratory device. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to a device that attaches with an adhesive to the skin of a user and is placed on a particular muscle or muscle group, causing the user to think about the muscle more during a workout.
Several devices exist for enhancing neurophysiological and musculophysiological performance, such as during exercise or training programs. The devices help to improve the function and recovery of muscle systems using vibration system modalities.
One such example is disclosed in a United States granted patent Publication No. 10,159,623, entitled “Wearable Vibration Device” (“the '623 Patent”). The '623 Patent discloses a novel wearable vibration device delivering high energy vibration deep into the muscles and soft tissues for muscle treatment comprising an upper soft fabric foam covered case encompassing at least a vibration motor, a lithium ion battery, a control PCB, a control switch with LED display and a lower fabric covered case. The wearable vibration device delivers high energy vibration to the chosen muscle group and thereby, penetrates deep into the muscle and to the soft tissues. The upper soft fabric foam covered case and lower fabric covered cases are fixed together by gluing or stitching. The control PCB drives the vibration motor to set frequencies for vibration motor activations. Vibrations for the device are tuned at frequencies in the range of 30-50 Hz to increase muscle power and for other beneficial physiological effects.
Another example is disclosed in a United States Patent Publication No. 20200222275, entitled “Self-aware Vibration Device” (“the '275 Publication”). The '275 Publication discloses a device for delivering a therapeutic vibration to a body. The device may include at least two motors in a housing with unbalanced masses coupled to their axles, such that vibration of the masses causes the two motors and housing to vibrate at a beat frequency. The motors and housing may be coupled to the body via a platform which places the motors and housings at or near a resonant structure in the body, creating a coupled oscillation between the platform and the body. The device may also include at least one sensor which senses at least one piece of bioinformation, the vibration may be based on the at least one piece of bioinformation.
Yet another example is disclosed in a United States Patent Publication No. 20190015046, entitled “Systems and Methods for Smart Athletic Wear” (“the '046 Publication”). The '046 Publication discloses a smart garment comprising one or more sensors contained within the smart garment and configured to gather information about a wearer of the smart garment undertaking a physical activity. The garment may also include one or more actuators contained within and configured to provide haptic feedback to the wearer of the smart garment. The one or more sensors are configured to transmit the gathered information to a processing unit within the smart garment and/or an external processor for generation of instructions to provide guidance to the wearer of the garment on how to execute the physical activity. Further, the one or more actuators can provide haptic feedback to the wearer upon receiving the instructions from the processing unit and/or the external processor.
Most of the vibration devices secure about a portion of a user's body and produce high frequency vibration. The vibration devices are held in a place lined up with the holes of an alignment strap and VELCRO® hook and loop fastener is tensioned to hold the vibration device firmly against the body. Use of straps and VELCRO take considerable time to put on and remove from the user's body. Further, straps are difficult to place over some parts of the body. Furthermore, use of straps may leave a temporary mark on the skin where they connect.
Therefore, there is a need for a device that attaches with an adhesive to the skin of a user anywhere on the body and when placed on a particular muscle or muscle group, causes the user to think about the muscle more during a workout.
The contents of all patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature cited throughout the present application are incorporated by reference in their entireties, for all purposes.
It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a device that attaches with an adhesive to the skin of a user anywhere on the body and that avoids the drawback of known techniques.
It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a device for applying vibration on a muscle or muscle group for improving muscle contraction. It should be noted that the device can work equally well by placing the device on a particular muscle or on a group of muscles, and that the terms “muscle” or “muscle group” can be used interchangeably and should not be considered limited for use on a single or particular muscle, or limited for use on muscle groups involving two or more muscles in proximity to each other. The device has a base and a top case housing a motor, an adhesive strip connecting the base. The adhesive strip removably mounts over a muscle or muscle group, wherein the motor causes vibration and transmits the vibration to the muscle through the base and the adhesive strip, and wherein the vibration causes the user to concentrate on the muscle to improve muscle contraction during a workout.
It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a device when placed on a particular muscle group causes the user to think about the muscle more during a workout.
It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a device with an adhesive (adhesive strip) that attaches and reattaches, the device that can be easily placed and moved to very specific muscles.
In order to achieve one or more objects, the present subject matter provides a device having a motor (vibration motor). The device includes an adhesive strip. The adhesive strip is a reusable and dual-sided adhesive having silicone on one side and acrylic on a second side. The device removably mounts over a muscle or muscle group via the adhesive strip. When turned ON, the motor vibrates. The vibration gets transmitted to the muscle through the device and the adhesive strip. The vibration causes the user to concentrate more on the muscle during a workout. The user detaches the device from one muscle and attaches to another muscle or muscle group with the help of the adhesive strip.
In one advantageous feature of the present disclosure, the adhesive strip allows the user to easily remove the device from one muscle and attach to another muscle or muscle group. The device is portable and attaches to any muscle with the help of the adhesive strip. This allows the device for placing anywhere on the body and provides required vibration to the user to continuously remind him or her to focus on the desired muscle.
In one advantageous feature of the present disclosure, the presently disclosed device provides portable configuration and allows for use in the gym, during training, or exercising anywhere and anytime. The portable device does not come in the way of the user performing exercise and allows the user to focus on his or her exercise. The adhesive strip allows the device to easily detach from one muscle or muscle group and attach to another. As such, the user can quickly change the location of the device to the muscle he or she wishes to strengthen and start working out without any delay between workouts. The device helps the user to work on all major muscle groups and joints, including, but not limited to, quad/hamstring, back/abdominal, arm/wrist, shoulders, and various other individual muscles, muscle groups, and joints.
It is another object to provide a method of applying vibration on a muscle or muscle group for improving muscle contraction, the method comprising providing a device having a motor, providing an adhesive strip connecting the device, attaching the adhesive strip over a first muscle, causing the motor to vibrate, transmitting the vibration from the motor to the first muscle, causing a user to concentrate on the first muscle due to the vibration for improving muscle contraction on the first muscle, contracting the first muscle, removing the device by detaching the adhesive strip of the device from the first muscle, attaching the adhesive strip of the device over a second muscle, causing the motor to vibrate, transmitting the vibration from the motor to the second muscle group, and causing the user to concentrate on the second muscle due to the vibration for improving muscle contraction on the second muscle.
It is another object of the subject matter to provide a method of applying vibration on a muscle or muscle group for improving muscle contraction, the method comprising determining a muscle of a user for exercising. The device, having a motor, is placed over the muscle using an adhesive strip. The motor is operated by the processor, to cause vibration. The motor transmits vibrations to the muscle causing the user to concentrate on the muscle for improving muscle contraction during exercise.
Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGUREs. As will be realised, the subject matter disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
Further features and advantages of the present subject matter will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
Before the present features and working principle of a device for applying vibration on a muscle group for improving muscle contraction is described, it is to be understood that this subject matter is not limited to the particular system as described, since it may vary within the specification indicated. Various features for applying vibration on a muscle group for improving muscle contraction might be provided by introducing variations within the components/subcomponents disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter, which will be limited only by the appended claims. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
It should be understood that the present subject matter describes a device and a method of applying vibration on a muscle or muscle group for improving muscle contraction during exercise. The device includes a motor. The device includes an adhesive strip. The adhesive strip removably mounts over a muscle. The motor causes vibration and transmits the vibration to the muscle through the device and the adhesive strip causing the user to concentrate on the muscle. The user detaches the device from one muscle and attaches to another muscle. The vibration caused by the motor helps the user to concentrate on the muscle during a workout and this helps to improve muscle contraction, thereby improving the mind-muscle connection.
Various features and embodiments of the device for applying vibration on a muscle for improving muscle contraction are explained in conjunction with the description of
The present subject matter discloses a device for applying vibration on a muscle for improving muscle contraction.
First opening 18 receives motor 22. Here, motor 22 indicates a vibration motor having stator and windings. In one example, motor 22 encompasses an axle/shaft (not shown) with a mass (eccentric weight). The mass mounts to the axle off centre (asymmetric mass) such that the inertia of the spinning offset causes a wobble or vibration or oscillation in motor 22 and thereby in device 12. Device 12 includes battery 24 for powering motor 22. A person skilled in the art understands that battery 24 acts a power source for device 12. Battery 24 includes a replaceable or rechargeable battery. Battery 24 includes a lithium ion battery, for example. In the current embodiment, second opening 20 receives battery 24.
Device 12 encompasses printed circuit board (PCB) 26. Further, device 12 presents top case 28. Top case 28 indicates a top plate or top part. Top case 28 provides a material made of hard plastic, metal or any other suitable material. Top case 28 comes in a square, rectangular or any other shape similar to base 16. Top case 28 aligns with base 16 and encloses motor 22, battery 24 and PCB 26 as shown in
In one embodiment, device 12 includes an adhesive strip 30. Adhesive strip 30 comes in a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, circular, oval or any other shape. In one example, adhesive strip 30 includes a reusable and dual-sided adhesive. Adhesive strip 30 aligns with base 16 (
At step 102, user 14 determines a muscle or muscle group (or even joints) to exercise. As known, muscle groups include, but are not limited to muscles in the chest, back, arms, shoulders, abs, legs, and buttocks. To use device 12 for applying a vibration on the muscle or muscle group the user 14 should think about the muscle during exercise and a vibration on the muscle makes it easier for the user to think about and concentrate on that particular muscle, therefore improving mind-muscle connection. The user 14 determines the muscle group (say abs) and mounts device 12 over the muscle group (abs). Here, user 14 aligns adhesive strip 30 over the muscle group and attaches device 12 using adhesive strip 30. In one example, user 14 places adhesive strip 30 over his or her skin. In another example, user 14 places adhesive strip 30 over his or her clothing. As specified above, adhesive strip 30 has suitable adhesion strength. As such, adhesive strip 30 ensures device 12 sticks to user's skin (abs in the current example). Upon placing and attaching device 12 over the desired muscle or muscle group, user 14 turns ON device 12 (step 104). In one example, user 14 operates power ON/OFF button 38 to turn ON device 12.
Once turned ON, processor 32 reads the voltage from power ON/OFF button 38 and operates motor 22. Motor 22 operates and causes vibrations. These vibrations transmit through base 16 and adhesive strip 30 to user 14. The vibration caused by device 12 at the muscle group (abs) causes user 14 to think more about the muscle group during the workout (step 106). This way, user 14 focuses his or her exercise on the muscle group where device 12 is placed. The vibration caused by device 12 is adjustable to provide subtle (minimum or reduced or controlled) vibration without distracting user 14 to keep adjusting device 12. After completing the workout/exercise, user 14 operates power ON/OFF button 38 to turn OFF device 12 (step 108). If user 14 wishes to repeat the exercise/workout, then user repeats steps 104, 106 and 108. Further, if user 14 wishes to exercise focusing on another muscle say triceps, then user 14 detaches device 12 from his or her abs and attaches to triceps. As specified above, adhesive strip 30 is reusable. As such, adhesive strip 30 retains its adhesion even after repeated use. After attaching device 12 to triceps, device 12 allows user 14 to perform method 100 as explained above. When attached to a particular muscle, device 12 vibrates on the particular muscle. The vibration causes user 14 to think about the muscle more, which helps in hypertrophy training for user 14. Focusing on one specific muscle may improve muscle contraction and provide required strength to the muscle.
In one advantageous feature of the present disclosure, adhesive strip 30 allows user 14 to easily remove device 12 from one muscle group and attach to another muscle group. Device 12 is portable and attaches to any muscle with the help of adhesive strip 30. This presents an advantage over known vibration devices, which mount with the help of straps. The straps present difficulty to mount to some places on the body. Whereas the presently disclosed device 12 allows for placing anywhere on the body and provides required vibration to user 14. A person skilled in the art understands that adhesive strip 30 takes minimum space required to attach device 12 to user's body and sticks to user's body until required force is exerted to detach it from user's body.
The presently disclosed device helps to increase muscle power, blood circulation and may reduce injury risk. The presently disclosed device is a portable device and allows for use in the gym, a race, during training, or exercising anywhere and anytime. The adhesive strip allows the device to easily attach and detach from one muscle group to another. As such, the user can quickly change the location of the device to the muscle group he or she wishes to strengthen and starts working out without any delay between exercises. The device helps the user to work on all major muscle groups and joints, including, but not limited to, quads, hamstrings, back, chest, abdominal muscles, arms, wrists, and shoulders.
A person skilled in the art appreciates that the device may come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the need of the user. Further, different materials in addition to or instead of materials described herein may also be used and such implementations may be construed to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed device and methods of using the device.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine under taking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and invention disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed invention.
