Patent Application
20200061413
There are 4.5 million Rotator Cuff injuries each year in the United States alone; 250 to 300 thousand of which require surgery. This is due to a lack of convenient, efficient, non-strenuous methods to strengthen the Rotator Cuff. Overall this results in the neglect to train the Rotator Cuff, which leads to general muscle weakness for all ages and muscle atrophy for the elderly, potentially resulting in serious injury.
The current methods of strengthening the Rotator Cuff include but are not limited to, bands, cable machines and dumbbells that involve rotating the shoulder while under its own weight or a greater weight with the elbow bent at a 90 degree angle which limits the range of motion of the shoulder and puts stress on the Rotator Cuff.
The present invention is a machine for exercising and rehabilitating the rotator cuff muscles that allows the user to easily isolate and manipulate, from a standing position, the internal and external rotation of the Rotator cuff with an outstretched arm, at any angle, to strengthen the Rotator Cuff muscles. Additionally it allows the user to strengthen the Pronation, Supination, Radial Deviation and Ulnar Deviation of the wrist.
The aforementioned machine is comprised of a base, top, four support beams, main rotating handle apparatus that consists of a joint utilizing gears, a ratchet mechanism and an angle adjustment pin. The handle is secured to linear rails that allow for height adjustment. The main rotating handle apparatus is connected to plate weights for resistance via a rubber coated steel cable and a plurality of pulleys. The main rotating handle apparatus is also connected to two counter weights via rubber coated steel cables that relieve the weight of the handle for ease of adjustment.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:
The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to a Rotator Cuff fitness/rehabilitation machine is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses.
The machine includes a number of structural elements typically made of metal that may be powder coated and assembled together in the configuration shown using any suitable securing devices, such as welds, bolts, screws, etc.
Please note that
The structural support elements of the machine include two vertical front support beams 11 (coupled with linear rails 14) and two vertical rear support beams 12 (coupled with linear rails 15) secured to a base frame 10 and a top frame 11. A main rotating handle apparatus 36 is secured to front vertical support beams 11 via linear rail brackets 16 riding on linear rails 14 and spring loaded T-handle pins 47 that allow for positioning at any height within the limit of adjustable positions. Weight stack 19 is secured to base frame 10 and bracket 18 with guide rods 13. Cable 32 is secured to main handle apparatus 36 via steel pin 39 and runs through pulleys 20-21 mounted on top frame 11, pulley 22mounted on weight stack 19, pulleys 23 mounted on bracket 18, pulley 24 mounted on rear right vertical support beam 12, pulleys 25-26 mounted on base frame 10, pulley 27 mounted on front right vertical support 11 and is secured again to main rotating handle apparatus 36 which connects weight stack 19 to main rotating handle apparatus 36. Counter weights 17 used to offset the weight of main rotating handle apparatus 36 are secured to rear vertical support beams 12 via linear rail brackets 16 that ride on linear rails 15. Cable 33 is secured to main rotating handle apparatus 36 and runs through pulleys 28-29 and is secured to counter weight 17 connecting counter weight 17 to main rotating handle apparatus 36.
Cable 34 is secured to main rotating handled apparatus 36 and runs through pulleys 30-31 and secured to counter weight 17, connecting counter weight 17 to main rotating handle apparatus 36. Weight stack shield 35 is mounted to rear vertical beams 12.
Main rotating handle apparatus 36 (
Gear joint (
Ratchet mechanism 67 consisting of a toggle lever 68.
As will be discussed in detail below, the user will stand in front of the machine to exercise each of the separate Rotator Cuff muscles for both the user's right and left shoulder via Internal and External Rotation, as well as the Radial Deviation, Ulnar Deviation, Pronation and Supination of both the right and left wrist by lifting weight 19. Each exercise requires a combination of an appropriate height adjustment of the main rotating handle apparatus 36 and appropriate angle adjustment of the gear joint.
For strengthening the Rotator Cuff, the user, standing in front of the machine will grasp handle 69 of the main rotating handle apparatus 36, pull t-handle pins 47 and position the main rotating handle apparatus 36 vertically to shoulder height on vertical support beams 11. The user will then flip the toggle lever 68 on the ratchet mechanism 67 in a clockwise fashion. Facing the machine head-on or with body turned to the side, reach with an outstretched arm, grasp handle 69 of the main rotating handle apparatus 36 with palm facing down and rotate the arm in a clockwise fashion, in effect winding cable 32 around inner free spinning structure 37 which in turn lifts weights 19. User will repeat this process as recommended or desired. The user will then flip the toggle lever 68 on the ratchet mechanism 67 in a counter clockwise fashion, grasp handle 69 of the main rotating handle apparatus 36 with an outstretched arm, palm facing up and rotate the arm in a counter clockwise fashion, in effect winding cable 32 around inner free spinning structure 37, which in turn lifts weights 19.
By utilizing the t-handle pins 47 for height adjustment of the main handle apparatus 36 in conjunction with t-handle pin 58 on the gear joint for angle adjustment of handle 69, the user can exercise the Rotator Cuff at any desired angle within the limits of the machine, as well as the limits of their personal physics by repeating the processes mentioned above.
For strengthening the supination of the wrist, the user, after adjusting main rotating handle apparatus 36 to a height even with the user's elbow and flipping the toggle lever 68 of the ratchet mechanism 67 in a clockwise fashion, the user, standing in front of the machine will grasp handle 69 of main rotating handle apparatus 36 with elbow bent at a 90 degree angle with palm facing downward. The user will then rotate the wrist in a clockwise fashion (supination). Conversely, the user can re-position their grip with palm facing upward, flip the toggle lever 68 of the ratchet mechanism 67 in a counterclockwise fashion and rotate the wrist in a counterclockwise fashion (pronation).
To strengthen the Ulnar Deviation of the wrist the user will stand in front of, but to the side of the main rotating handle apparatus, flip toggle lever 68 of the ratchet mechanism 67 in a clockwise fashion, rotate handle 69 counterclockwise to a vertical position, grip handle 69 with elbow bent at a 90 degree angle and flex the wrist forward, bringing your little finger toward your wrist (Radial Deviation). Conversely, the user, flipping toggle lever 68 of ratchet mechanism 67 in a counterclockwise fashion, will rotate handle 69 clockwise to a horizontal position, bend wrist forward (ulnar deviation), grip handle 69 and flex wrist back toward them, bringing thumb toward wrist (Radial Deviation).
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Provisional Patent No. 62/552,981
