FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to muscle exercise and sports injury prevention devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various exercise devices known in the art but they are not adequate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided comprising: an attachment apparatus; and a band apparatus including a first band.
The attachment apparatus may include a first part; and a strap, wherein the strap is configured to removably attach the first part to a person's body part. The first part of the attachment apparatus may further include: a body portion; a post projecting out from the body portion; and a loop connected to the post, wherein the loop is configured to be attached to the first band.
In at least one embodiment, the first part of the attachment apparatus includes a member which is configured to hold the loop to prevent the loop from rotating with respect to the post; and the loop is configured to rotate with respect to the post except when the loop is held by the member.
The apparatus may be further comprised of a pad attached to the strap so that it overlaps an inner surface of the body portion of the first part of the attachment apparatus when the strap attaches the first part of the attachment apparatus to the person's body part.
The band apparatus may include a first ring which is attached to the loop of the first part to thereby attach the first band to the loop through the first ring. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the band apparatus includes: second, third, fourth, and fifth bands; and second, third, fourth, and fifth rings; and wherein the second, third, fourth, and fifth rings are attached to the loop of the first part to thereby attach the second, third, fourth, and fifth bands, respectively, to the loop through the second, third, fourth, and fifth rings, respectively.
The band apparatus may include a master ring which is attached to the loop of the first part to thereby attach the first ring to the loop through the master ring. The master ring may attach the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth rings to the loop through the master ring.
The band apparatus may include a carabiner which is attached to the loop of the first part to thereby attach the master ring to the loop of the first part through the carabiner.
In at least one embodiment, a method is provided including the steps of: removably attaching an attachment apparatus to a first body part of a person; removably connecting a band apparatus to the attachment apparatus; and stretching a first band of the band apparatus while the band apparatus is connected to the attachment apparatus and while the attachment apparatus is attached to the first body part of the person to thereby provide exercise for one or more body parts of the person. The attachment apparatus and the band apparatus may be configured as previously described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the apparatus shown in a state where an attachment loop is centrally oriented and in a loose state;
FIG. 2 is a top, front, and left perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a state where the attachment loop is shown in a down, snapped in state;
FIG. 3 is a front, left, and bottom perspective view of a first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the attachment loop is shown in a down, snapped in state;
FIG. 4 is a front, left, and bottom perspective view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the attachment loop shown in a loose state;
FIG. 5A is a right perspective rear view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a post and the attachment loop removed;
FIG. 5B is a left perspective rear view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a post and the attachment loop removed;
FIG. 6 is a front, left, and bottom perspective view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the attachment loop and the post, and a bolt, shown and detached from a body portion of the first part;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a strap for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7B is a first perspective view of the strap of FIG. 7A, with an inner pad attached to the strap of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 7C is a second perspective view of the strap of FIG. 7A, with the inner pad of FIG. 7B, attached to the strap of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 8 is front, top, and left perspective view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with part of a band apparatus shown;
FIG. 9 is a front, top, and left perspective view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the band apparatus and a human's hand and arm shown, and with the band apparatus pulled in a first manner;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, attached to a person's arm, and connected to the band apparatus, which is being pulled by fingers of a hand in a second manner;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, attached to the person's arm, and connected to the band apparatus, which is being pulled by fingers of the hand in a third manner;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, attached to the person's arm, and connected to the band apparatus, which is being pulled by fingers of the hand in a fourth manner;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, attached to the person's arm, as arm brace;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a finger padding which can be used with the apparatus of FIG. 1 and a band of the band apparatus shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the finger padding of FIG. 14 wrapped around a finger of a hand of a person; and
FIG. 15B is a perspective view the finger padding of FIG. 15A wrapped around the finger as in FIG. 15A, with a band of the band apparatus of FIG. 9, shown looped around the finger padding of FIG. 15A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left perspective view of an apparatus 1 or attachment apparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the apparatus 1 shown in a state where an attachment loop 8 is centrally oriented, and can freely rotate which respect to a post 6. The attachment loop 8 is rotatably mounted to the protruding post or member 6, which is secured on the surface 4a through a hole 4c, shown in FIG. 6 in the body portion 4. The apparatus 1 includes piece 2 and strap 20.
FIG. 2 is a top, front, and left perspective view of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 shown in a state where the attachment loop 8 is in a down state or orientation, and secured and snapped in a sitting area of member 12 so the loop 8 is not movable when used as arm brace or orientation, unless a strong force is applied to overcome the resistance of member 12. A portion of the loop 8 is snapped int recess 12a of the member 12 and a portion of the loop 8 is snapped in recess 12b of the member 12 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a front, left, and bottom perspective view of a first part or piece 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with the attachment loop 8 shown in a down state or orientation, and snapped into recesses 12a and 12b of member 12. The loop 8 in FIG. 3 is semicircular or substantially semicircular shaped and in FIG. 3 parts of the loop 8 fit within and are snapped into recesses 12a and 12b of member 12, which are shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a front, left, and bottom perspective view of a first part or piece 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with the attachment loop 8 shown in an up state or orientation, and not snapped in so that loop 8 is configured to freely rotate with respect to member 12 and with respect to body portion 4, in at least one embodiment, for use as muscle exercise device by attaching one or more bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and/or 64b of a single or multiple band apparatus 50, shown in FIG. 9.
The first part or piece 2 has slots 10a and 10b through an otherwise solid body portion 4. The Slots 10a and 10b allow for attachment of the strap 20 shown in FIGS. 1-2. In at least one embodiment, in order to assemble the apparatus 1, a first end 20c of the strap 20, shown in FIG. 7A is inserted through slot 10a, starting from the rear surface 4b of the body portion 4 and coming out the front surface 4a, shown in FIG. 4, and then wrapping around to allow Velcro (Trademarked), or hooks and loops portions to removably attach a portion of the outside 20a, shown in FIG. 7A, of the strap 20 near end 20c to a different portion of the outside 20a, shown in FIG. 7A, of the strap 20, as shown by FIG. 1. At the same time, the end 20d of the strap 20 is inserted from the front surface 4a through the slot 10b to the back surface 4b, and a portion of the inside 20b, shown in FIG. 7A, of the strap 20 near end 20d, is connected to a different portion of the inside 20b, as shown in FIG. 1. In at least one embodiment, a portion of strap near the end 20d is sewed or ultrasonically sealed on onto a portion of the inside of 20b to allow strap 20 attach to piece 2. The apparatus 1, can be assembled on a bicep area of a person's arm as shown in FIG. 13, with part of the bicep or arm 102 being within the closed loop 70 formed by the strap 20 and the body portion 4 as shown in FIG. 1. In at least one embodiment, areas of the strap 20 that would contact a person's arm or wrist when assembled as in FIG. 1, and the surface area 4b have anti slippery silicone paddings to prevent 1 from slipping from the arm during the pulling in FIG. 9-12.
FIG. 5A is a right perspective rear view of the first part of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with a post 6 and the attachment loop 8 removed. An opening 4c and the rear surface 4b of the body portion is shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B is a left perspective rear view of the first part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a post 6 and the attachment loop 6 removed.
FIG. 6 is a front, left, and bottom perspective view of the first part of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with the attachment loop 8 and the post 6, and a bolt 14, shown and detached from the body portion 4. A threaded post or stem of the bolt 14 is configured to be inserted through the back surface 4b of the body portion 4 and then screwed into an opening in the post 6 to attach the post 6 to the body portion 4.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the strap 20 for use with the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. The strap 20 includes end 20c and end 20d which opposes end 20c. The strap 20 has an inner surface 20b and an outer surface 20a. Both the inner surface 20b and the outer surface 20a include Velcro (trademarked) or hooks and loops portions so that the portions of the strap 20 can be removably attached to other portions of the strap 20.
FIG. 7B is a first perspective view of the strap 20 of FIG. 7A, with an inner pad 22 attached to the center or substantially to the center of the strap 20 of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a second perspective view of the strap 20 of FIG. 7A, with the inner pad 22 of FIG. 7B, attached to the strap 20 of FIG. 7A. The inner pad 22 may be used when the strap 20 is connected to the piece 2 as in FIG. 1, to provide cushioning adjacent to the inside surface 4b, shown in FIG. 5A, so that the inside surface 4b does not contact or rub against a person's skin.
FIG. 8 is front, top, and left perspective view of the first part 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with part of a band apparatus 50 (shown in FIG. 9) shown. FIG. 9 is a front, top, and left perspective view of the first part 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, with the band apparatus 50 and a human's hand 104 and arm 102 shown.
Referring to FIGS. 8-9, the band apparatus 50 includes a carabiner or clasp 52 which is shown removably attached to the loop 8 of the piece 2. The carabiner or clasp 52 is rotatably connected through rotatable member 52a to loop or ring 54 which is connected to loops or rings 56a, 58a, 60a, 62a and 64a, which are connected to proximal or first ends of circular, closed loop bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b, respectively.
The closed loop bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b are connected at second or distal ends, opposite their proximal or first ends, to fingers 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e; and the bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b are being pulled in a first manner.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, attached to a person's arm 102, and connected to the band apparatus 50, which is being pulled by fingers 104a-e of the hand 104 in a second manner.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, attached to the person's arm 102, and connected to the multiple band apparatus 50, which is being pulled by fingers 104a-e of the hand 104 in a third manner.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, attached to the person's arm 102, and connected to the multiple band apparatus 50, which is being pulled by fingers 104-e of the hand 104 in a fourth manner.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, attached to the person's arm 102, which is attached to a person's shoulder 100, wherein the apparatus 1 is used as an arm brace.
In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a combination apparatus including the apparatus 1 and single or multiple band apparatus 50 has multiple functions. The combination apparatus 1 is configured to be used as an arm brace in FIG. 13, when the band apparatus 50 is detached and a muscle training device when the band apparatus 50 is attached to the apparatus 1 as in FIGS. 9-12.
In at least one embodiment, the recesses 12a and 12b of the member 12, are configured to be used to secure loop 8 on the member 12, in a down orientation, and prevent loop 8 from changing its orientation with respect to body portion 4, when using as an arm brace during a game and/or exercise.
The combination of apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50 are configured to be used to train many different muscles, not just muscles of the fingers as shown for example in FIG. 7. The combination of apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50 are configured to be applied, for example, to a person's fingers, wrist, arm, shoulder, back, and other muscles and/or body parts. The combination of apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50 can also be used on a person's chest muscle training when connecting the devices on both arms with a snap hook.
Training, or exercising, using apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50 can take place at anytime and anywhere, such as while in a car, while on a plane, and in many other situations.
Each of the ring or master key 54 and the rings 56a, 58a, 60a, 62a, and 64a shown in FIG. 8 may be a known key ring, such as a key ring used for car keys or house keys, known in the art, which allows a key to be slid onto each of the ring 54, and the rings 56a, 58a, 60a, 62a, and 64a. The key ring 54 is configured to allow each of rings 56a, 58a, 60a, 62a, and 64a to be attached to the key ring 54 as shown in FIG. 6, and to be taken off and detached from the key ring 54. Similarly, each of the key rings 56a, 58a, 60a, 62a, and 64a, allows its corresponding band of bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b to be attached and detached from the corresponding key ring.
In some embodiment of the present invention for bigger bands (for bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b) with wider width, these can be directly connected to the big/master key ring 54.
In at least one embodiment, a kit may be provided with a set of small width bands (less strength) for bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b, and a set of medium bands for bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b for medium strength and wider width band for maximum strength. In an alternative embodiment, a single wider and thicker band can be used instead of bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a finger padding 200 which can be used with the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 and a band of the band apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 9. The finger padding 200 includes raised or protruding peripheral portions 202 and 206 and a body indented portion 204 which is between the portions 202 and 206. The finger padding 200 also includes an inside smooth surface 208.
FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the finger padding 200 of FIG. 14 wrapped around the finger 104c of the hand 104 of a person, such that inside smooth surface 208 contacts and wraps around the persons's finger 104c. In a least one embodiment, since finger padding 200 is made of anti-slippery silicone material, the surface 208 is cushioned tightly on the finger, thus preventing it from slipping/skipping off the finger when using
FIG. 15B is a perspective view the finger padding 200 of FIG. 15A wrapped around the finger 104c as in FIG. 15A, with a band 60b of the band apparatus 50 of FIG. 9, shown looped at one end around the finger padding 200 of FIG. 15A. The raised portions 202 and 206, may be desired as acting as rails and the indented portion 204 may be descripted as a track or channel into which the band 60b fits; and raised portions 202 and 206 may prevent or inhibit the band 60b from slipping out of or off of the channel or track 204.
The combination of apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50 shown, for example in FIG. 10, in at least one embodiment, may be used as a combined arm brace and a muscle exercising device. The combination of apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50 provides a compact, on the go device which can be used anytime, anywhere. By combining the apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50, a person's arm, such as arm 102 in FIG. 10, and wrist/fingers can be exercised simultaneously in unity. In at least one embodiment, there is no need to use another part of the body to assist the exercise
In at least one embodiment, the band apparatus 50 rotates from a pivot point such as where loop 8 is rotatably connected to post 6 protruding from body portion 4, thus the exercise of the arm/wrist/hand/fingers can be in all directions, such as arm up, arm down, arm upper cut, forward swing, back swing, etc.
In at least one embodiment, the apparatus 1, by itself, protects muscles from injuries such as tennis elbow, etc., when using as a brace during exercise. Easy to switch from brace to muscle exercising by attaching the carabiner 52 to the loop 8, or by connecting a ring such as master ring 54 or one or more of rings 56a, 58a, 60a, 62a, and/or 64a.
The combination of apparatus 1 and band apparatus 50, is also configured, in at least one embodiment to be applied to legs for ankle and knee exercise and muscle training. For example, the apparatus 1 can be attached on a person's ankle, and one or more of bands 56b, 58b, 60b, 62b, and 64b can be attached to one or more toes of the person, and thereby the toes and/or the ankle of the person can be flexed and exercised.
Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.
Patent Application
20240189649
