Patent Application
20240189661
The present disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to exercise equipment for strengthening shoulders.
Physical therapy and the exercise required for shoulder rehabilitation are currently hampered by a lack of dynamic, weight-bearing equipment which isolates the shoulder joint in 360 degrees of motion. The existing shortcomings in shoulder rehabilitation, in particular post-surgery rehabilitation, are attributable to the limited utility of elastic bands, medicine balls, dumbbells, and other conventional weight-room equipment and the ways this equipment is used to strengthen the shoulder. For example, conventional therapeutic and exercise equipment only allow for resistance in one plane of shoulder-joint motion at any one time, such as motion in the coronal plane about an anterior-posterior axis, and motion in the sagittal plane about a medial-lateral axis. Additionally, because the surgical procedures currently offered for shoulder repair are far from ideal, athletes and/or physicians frequently rely on physical therapists to provide treatment to a shoulder joint left weak and/or unstable from the surgical procedure, often to no avail. Thus, a resistance system addressing the significant lack of dynamic weight bearing equipment approved for the shoulder joint problems in the current field of physical therapy and shoulder recovery is needed.
According to an aspect of the disclosed technology, a representative embodiment of an apparatus for shoulder strengthening includes a base, a shaft having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion pivotably coupled to the base, a hand rest coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft such that the hand rest is configured to move with the shaft relative to the base, and a resistance mechanism configured to restrict movement of the shaft relative to the base. In some embodiments, the shaft is configured to rotate 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the base.
In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism is configured to apply an adjustable frictional force to the proximal end portion of the shaft. In further embodiments, the resistance mechanism is rotatably coupled to the base and configured to contact the proximal end portion of the shaft, and contact between the resistance mechanism and the proximal end portion of the shaft applies an adjustable frictional force to the proximal end portion. In such embodiments, rotation of the resistance mechanism in a first rotational direction relative to the base increases the adjustable frictional force applied to the shaft, and rotation of the resistance mechanism in a second rotational direction relative to the base decreases the adjustable frictional force applied to the shaft.
In further embodiments, the apparatus further includes a ball-and-socket joint coupling the proximal end portion of the shaft to the base. In such embodiments, the ball-and-socket joint includes a ball disposed in a socket. One of the proximal end portion of the shaft and the base includes the ball and the other of the proximal end portion and the base includes the socket. In further embodiments, the resistance mechanism is an annular structure and includes an internal thread disposed on an inner surface thereof, the internal threads being configured to mate with an external thread disposed an outer surface of the base such that the resistance mechanism is rotatably coupled to the base. Rotation of the resistance mechanism relative to the base produces relative axial motion between the resistance mechanism and both the base and the shaft such that the resistance mechanism engages and applies an adjustable frictional force to the ball of the ball-and-socket joint. In some embodiments, the proximal end portion includes the ball and the base includes the socket. In other embodiments, the base includes the ball and the proximal end portion includes the socket.
In another representative embodiment, a shoulder strengthening apparatus includes a base having a socket portion of a ball-and-socket joint, a shaft pivotably coupled to the base by the ball-and-socket joint, one end of the shaft being coupled to a hand rest and the other end of the shaft including a ball portion of the ball-and-socket joint, wherein the shaft is movable between an extended state and a compressed state; and a resistance mechanism rotatably coupled to the base and configured to adjustably restrict movement of the ball portion of the shaft relative to the base.
In some embodiments, the shaft includes a biasing member extending between the hand rest and the ball portion of the shaft such that the shaft is extendable and compressible. In other embodiments, the shaft includes two or more shaft portions and a longitudinal axis, the shaft portions being configured to move axially and telescopically along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In further embodiments, a locking mechanism configured to secure the shaft in the extended and compressed states, is included. In some embodiments, the hand rest includes a curved portion to curl and support one or more fingers of a user.
In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a stabilization element, the stabilization element having an arm rest to support an arm of the user and a support structure coupled on one end to the base and on the other end to the arm rest. In such embodiments, the arm rest is pivotably coupled to the support structure. In some embodiments, the support structure is configured to move radially about the longitudinal axis of the base such that the stabilization element is configured to move in a circumferential direction about the base and the shaft. In further embodiments, the arm rest is configured to limit rearward motion of an arm of a user.
In another representative embodiment, a shoulder strengthening apparatus includes a base including a longitudinal axis, a shaft including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis, a length of the shaft being adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, a ball-and-socket joint pivotably coupling the proximal end portion of the shaft to the base, a hand rest coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and including a curved portion configured to curl one or more fingers of a user, and an annular structure rotatably coupled to the base and configured to engage and apply an adjustable frictional force to a ball of the ball-and-socket joint. The shaft is configured to pivot and rotate about the longitudinal axis of the base. Rotation of the annular structure in a first direction relative to the base increases the frictional force applied to the shaft, and rotation of the resistance mechanism in a second direction relative to the base decreases the frictional force applied to the shaft.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed technology will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present, or problems be solved. Any theories of operation are to facilitate explanation, but the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to such theories of operation.
In some examples, values, procedures, or features are referred to as “lowest,” “best,” “minimum,” or the like. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be better, smaller, or otherwise preferable to other selections.
As used in the application and in the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises.” Further, the terms “coupled” and “connected” generally mean electrically, electromagnetically, and/or physically (e.g., mechanically or chemically) coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled or associated items absent specific contrary language.
As used in this application, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.”
Directions and other relative references (e.g., inner, outer, upper, lower, etc.) may be used to facilitate discussion of the drawings and principles herein, but are not intended to be limiting. For example, certain terms may be used such as “inside,” “outside,” “top,” “down,” “interior,” “exterior,” and the like. Such terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships, particularly with respect to the illustrated embodiments. Such terms are not, however, intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” part can become a “lower” part simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same part and the object remains the same. As used herein, “and/or” means “and” or “or,” as well as “and” and “or.”
As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to a position, direction, or portion of a device that is closer to the base and further away from the hand rest. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to a position, direction, or portion of a device that is further away from the base and closer to the hand rest. The terms “longitudinal” and “axial” refer to an axis extending in the proximal and distal directions, unless otherwise expressly defined. Further, the term “radial” refers to a direction that is arranged perpendicular to the axis and points along a radius from a center of an object (where the axis is positioned at the center, such as a longitudinal axis of the base). The term “circumferential” refers to a direction that is arranged within a plane perpendicular to the axis and curves along a path around a center of an object, such as along a curved path about a longitudinal axis of the base.
The following description makes several references to dimensions and/or other values to describe various features of the disclosed technology. Such dimensions are not, however, intended to be absolute or exhaustive but are utilized to discuss various configurations of the technology. Each dimension and/or value expressly contained herein are also considered to include both the express value(s) and/or range of values within an allowable amount of variation of the specified quantity (e.g., a tolerance), including values expressed in terms of a “minimum” and/or a “maximum.” For example, each value and/or range of values used herein are considered to include both the express value(s) as well as values within plus or minus 10 of the specified value, no matter the unit. Likewise, an angle and/or range of angles are considered to include both the express angle values as well as the angle values within plus or minus 10 degrees of the specified angle.
There is a growing consensus among physical therapists and medical practitioners that the use of elastic bands and other conventional equipment used for shoulder rehabilitation show lack of efficacy. The shoulder joint is a ball-in-socket joint and has nearly 360 degrees of motion in multiple planes, making it the most dynamic and unstable joint in the body. In addition, the most common muscles and joint injuries among athletes and the general population are the various muscles that attach around the shoulder joint as well as the cartilage and the labrum, which surround the joint. Thus, an exercise system which can advance the current state of available equipment for shoulder rehabilitation is needed.
The resistance systems disclosed herein can, for example, provide 360 degrees of dynamic resistance to a user's shoulder. The shoulder-resistance system utilizes frictional forces applied to a spherical portion of a ball-and-socket joint such that movement of a shaft extending from the ball-and-socket joint is restricted in all planes of motion, for example, both in linear and rotational motion.
Referring to
The outer surface 124 of the base 102 extends radially outwardly from, and circumferentially around the longitudinal axis A between the lower end portion 122 and the upper end portion 120. In this way, the base 102 is cylindrical in shape and elongated upward from the ground surface. In some embodiments, however, the base 102 can be formed in a different shape. For example, in some embodiments, the base 102 can have a conical, pyramidal, cubic, rectangular, circular, or other three-dimensional shape.
The lower end portion 122 can include a rim 132 (
As shown in
Referring to
As the shaft 104 is pivoted or positioned relative to the longitudinal axis A, the motion of the distal end portion 114 of the shaft 104 and the hand rest 108 coupled thereto, follow a curved path similar to the curvature of the outer surface of the ball 118 as the portion of the ball 118 in contact with the inner surface 126 of the inner cavity 128 moves along the inner surface 126. In this configuration, the shaft 104 can also rotate about and around the longitudinal axis A. For instance, as indicated by arrows 168 in
To generate resistance to user movement, the resistance system 100 has an annular or ring-shaped resistance mechanism 106 configured to restrict the movement of the shaft 104 relative to the base 102 and longitudinal axis A. The resistance mechanism 106 applies a linear or frictional force to the ball 118 of the ball-and-socket joint 116 through direct or indirect contact via a threaded engagement 134 (
As the resistance mechanism 106 moves axially along the external thread of the base 102, the resistance mechanism 106 contacts the exposed surface area of the ball 118 (e.g., the surface of the ball 118 outside the inner cavity 128) such that a frictional force is created between the resistance mechanism 106 and the ball 118 at one or more points of contact. As such, in some embodiments, the contact between the resistance mechanism 106 and the ball 118 can also increase the frictional force between the inner cavity 126 and the portion of the ball 118 in contact with the inner cavity 128, as the ball 118 is drawn inward or in closer contact with the inner surface 126. In this manner, the frictional force between the resistance mechanism 106 and the ball 118 and/or the frictional force between the ball 118 and the inner cavity 128 restricts the directional movement of the shaft 104 and provides resistance to the user, thereby creating the situation where the user works against the frictional forces to manipulate the movement of the shaft 104. For example, in some embodiments, the frictional force of the resistance mechanism 106 relative to the ball 118 can be increased by rotating the resistance mechanism 106 in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) relative to the ball 118 and/or base 102. The frictional force of the resistance mechanism 106 relative to the ball 118 can be decreased by rotating the resistance mechanism 106 in a second rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) relative to the ball 118 and/or base 102.
In some embodiments, the pitch of the threaded engagement 134, or in other words, the linear distance the resistance mechanism 106 travels in one revolution via the engagement 134, can be proportional to the frictional force applied to the ball 118 of the proximal end portion 112. For example, the more revolutions (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) of the resistance mechanism 106 relative to the base 102 via the threaded engagement 134, the more axial movement occurs which results in an increase in frictional force and more resistance to the user. In the same manner, the same revolutions of resistance mechanism 106 can be reversed or undone, thereby easing the frictional forces and resistance to the user.
In lieu of a threaded connection, the relative axial motion between the resistance mechanism 106 and both the base 102 and ball 118 of the proximal end portion 112 can be achieved by a variety of other mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, straps, cranks, individual screws, elastics, a vise, and/or other alternative mechanisms can be implemented to move the resistance mechanism 106 relative to the ball 118 and/or to produce the frictional forces between on the ball 118 and the resistance mechanism and/or the inner cavity 128.
In some embodiments, the dimensions of the inner cavity 128 of the base 102 and the ball 118 of the proximal end portion 112 of the shaft 104 can be modified to alter the movement of the shaft 104 and hand rest 108 coupled thereto. For example, the curved motion of the distal end portion 114 and the hand rest 108 as the shaft 104 is pivoted can be more gradual or steep as the diameter or radius of the ball 118 is decreased, while being less gradual as the diameter or radius is increased. Changing the diameter in this way can, for example, be used to accommodate users with different physical characteristics, such as height and/or limb length and/or rehabilitation needs. In some embodiments, the ball 118 of the proximal end portion 112 of the shaft 104 can have a diameter ranging from 50 cm to 85 cm, with the diameter ranging from 60 cm to 75 cm as a particular example. The inner cavity 128 of the base 102, in this instance, can have a diameter or radius equal (or substantially equal) to permit the ball 118 to be disposed therein.
In some embodiments, the physical characteristics of the surface of the ball 118, resistance mechanism 106, and/or inner surface 126 of the inner cavity 128 can be modified to increase or decrease the frictional forces acting on the ball 118 (e.g., modify the coefficient of friction). The outer surface area of the ball 118 can, for example, have a low friction surface that decreases the frictional forces or a textured surface (e.g., rough or raised) that increases the frictional forces between the portions of the ball 118 and the inner cavity 128 in contact with one another. Additionally, or alternatively, the inner surface 126 of the cavity 128 and/or the surface of the resistance mechanism 106 which contacts the ball 118 can also be low friction or be textured and/or have a surface which resists the movement of the shaft, such as a rubber or polymer material. In other embodiments, the surface of one of the ball 118, inner cavity 128, or resistance mechanism 106 has a surface with a coefficient of friction less than the coefficient of friction of the other two components. In some embodiments, one of the ball 118, inner cavity 128, or resistance mechanism 106 has a smooth surface as to offset a portion of the overall frictional forces. As such, the frictional forces acting on the ball-and-socket joint 116 can be modified in varying degrees by altering the surface of its individual components.
Accordingly, as described herein, the resistance system 100 via the shaft 104 and ball-and-socket joint 116 provides dynamic and seamless motion around and relative to the longitudinal axis A of the base 102 which closely reflects the natural motion of the human arm and provides benefits therefrom. The shoulder joint rarely acts in a vacuum and in a single plane of motion at a time. By having a device that can provide resistance at each physiologic plane and angle, this will mimic as closely to physiologically possible what the shoulder joint experiences during motion.
In some embodiments, the socket 130 of the ball-and-socket joint 116 is formed of first and second portions. The first portion can be, for example, the inner cavity 128 of the base 102 while the second portion can be the resistance mechanism 106 such that the first portion can be said to be a lower socket portion and the second portion an upper socket portion.
In alternative embodiments, the proximal end portion 112 of the shaft 104 forms the socket 130 and the base 102 forms the ball 118 of the ball-and-socket joint 116 such that the ball 118 of the base 102 is disposed within the socket 130 of the proximal end portion of the shaft 104. For example, the inner surface 126 of the base 102 shown in
Referring to
As shown in
The shaft 104 of the resistance system 100 can also include a locking mechanism 140 such that the length of the shaft 104 can be locked and unchanged while the locking mechanism 140 is engaged. The locking mechanism 140 can maintain the shaft 104 in an extended state or a compressed state, for example, as the shaft 104 is pivoted and/or rotated relative to the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 140 or a second locking mechanism can maintain the positioning of the hand rest 108 such that the hand rest 108 is prevented from rotating relative to the shaft 104.
As illustrated in
The remaining structure of the hand rest 108 can include a flat or planar portion 144 which can be configured to support and secure the palm and/or wrist of the user. For example, the flat portion 144 can similarly be formed or molded to include palm and/or wrist shaped recesses to better retain the palm and/or wrist of an individual user as the user pivots and/or rotates the shaft 104. The flat portion 144 can also include a fastening mechanism 146, such as a strap or an elastic component to securely retain and restrict the movement of the user's hand and/or wrist relative to the hand rest 108. The fastening mechanism 146 can maintain the positioning of the hand directly or indirectly against the hand rest 108 to prevent the hand from moving in an upward direction, such as when the hand is drawn or lifted away from the surface of the hand rest 108. In this manner, retention of the user's hand can ensure movement of the user is directed primarily to isolated shoulder movement. As opposed to the user relying too heavily on hand movement to manipulate the positioning of the shaft 104 and thereby detracting from the dynamic 360-degree shoulder movement.
In some embodiments, the hand rest 108 is capable of rotational movement relative to the shaft 104 and the base 102. In particular, as indicated by the arrows 172 shown in
The mid and inner (or anterior) portions 152, 154 (which extends outwardly from the mid portion 152 toward the shaft 104) can brace the elbow and forearm. While the hand of the user is retained by the hand rest 108, the user can move their hand and/or forearm relative to the arm rest 148, such as about a longitudinal axis formed along the upper arm and elbow of the user. In this manner, the upper arm of the user can be held stationary and/or limited in its rearward motion relative to the shaft 104 and/or hand rest 108 by the outer and mid portions 150, 152 as the hand of the user manipulates the positioning of the shaft 104.
In some embodiments, the outer portion 150 can have a length ranging from 10 cm to 20 cm, with a length of 15 cm as a particular example while the inner portion 154 can have a length ranging from 7 cm to 17 cm, with a length of 12 cm as a particular example. In further embodiments, the outer portion 150 and/or the mid portion 152 can pivot toward and away from the other such that the angle formed by the outer, mid, and inner portions 150, 152, 154 can be modified. In such embodiments, the angle between the outer, mid, and inner portions can form angles ranging from 0 degrees to 110 degrees, with angles ranging from 0 degrees to 90 degrees as a particular example.
Still referring to
As shown in
In some embodiments, the slot or opening 162 can be shaped or formed to extend only a portion of the circumference or outer shape of the base 102 as to limit or restrict the circumferential movement of the support structure 156 to a range of motion relative to the longitudinal axis A and base 102. In some embodiments, for example, the support structure 156 can have a range of motion ranging from 0 degrees to 200 degrees about the longitudinal axis A, with a range of motion ranging from 0 to 135 degrees as a particular example.
Still referring to
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the technology and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the technology. Rather, the scope of the technology is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/123,152, filed Mar. 17, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/392,070, filed Aug. 2, 2021, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,607,586, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/060,584, filed Aug. 3, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63060584 | Aug 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18123152 | Mar 2023 | US |
| Child | 18581135 | US | |
| Parent | 17392070 | Aug 2021 | US |
| Child | 18123152 | US |
