The present disclosure relates to a vibration apparatus and an associated motor assembly attached to a glove or wrap for a body part. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of generating vibrations of various amplitudes at the same frequency or within a defined frequency range. Additionally, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure relate fitness devices that are designed to provide an individual with the benefits associated with vibrational motion such as increased muscle use with a single exercise motion and increased muscle memory during use with sports activities.
A means for communicating vibrations to a plate or platform, by use of a shaft rotationally driven by a motor and use of eccentric weights, is known in the art. Generally, all types of vibrational motor assemblies share the same basic structure; namely, a motor rotatably driving a shaft, at least one eccentric weight operably coupled to the rotating shaft, and a substantially rigid plate or platform. Furthermore, traditional applications for vibration plates or platforms include soil compacting, concrete laying, and therapeutic vibrational devices such as massagers and exercise equipment. Some devices utilize vibration (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,575,761 and 5,857,984), but they are used for therapeutic treatments and are not included with a support wrap and used to vibrate a body limb during exercise or sporting activity involving that limb.
The muscle stimulation device according to the present disclosure may be wrapped around a wrist or other body part to enhance muscle stimulation during exercise or sport activities. In one embodiment, the device may be wrapped around the wrist and/or hand for stimulating the stabilizer muscles and/or primary muscles during resistance exercises. More so, the hand wrapping device helps prevent injury to the knuckle, hand, and wrist areas by wrapping the knuckles inside a resilient wrap body or glove and passing the thumbs through at least one thumb strap to form a snug fit around the hands and wrists; and further including an integral vibrating motor that stimulates the stabilizer and primary muscles during resistance exercises.
The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as may be further described or explained by the entire written specification of which this detailed description is an integral part. The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” of this disclosure as required by 35 U.S.C. § 112.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure presented in
In one non-limiting embodiment, device 100 further includes a vibrating motor 120a-b, integral with the wrap body 102a-b. Vibrating motor 120a-b is disposed to press against the wrap body 102a-b. Vibrating motor 120a-b is also configured to vibrate at variable intensities, including optimal ranges of revolutions per minute (RPM) for an eccentric rotating mass vibration motor assembly 250 (as shown in
This vibratory stimulation induces motion otherwise not created throughout the traditional resistance exercises. Thus, stabilizer muscles and/or primary muscles are utilized in novel ways in order to hold objects such as weights steady during lifting exercises. The vibratory intensity can be adjusted by the user through use of a dial or other switching means known in the art. The device 100 further comprises a power source 114 for the vibrating motor 120a-b, and an emergency power off switch 116 for instantly powering off the vibrating motor 120a-b.
One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a convenient yet supportive and protective limb, wrist and/or hand wrap which can be used in conjunction with weight lifting and other sports, including, but not limited to, basketball, baseball, football and other target-related sports where accuracy of directing or catching a ball is of importance. Throwing or shooting balls for accuracy can be improved by working the stabilizer muscles through the present disclosure. Lifting objects, such as dumbbells, can provide a user with an opportunity to work out more muscle groups, including stabilizer muscles, than a standard set of dumbbell lifts would cause.
Another objective is to stabilize joints while inducing vibratory motion in muscles.
Another objective is to stimulate the primary and or stabilizer muscles in the hand, shoulder and upper body area with an intensity-adjustable vibrating motor 120a-b.
Another objective is to provide a wrist and/or hand wrap that is primarily used in gym environments and/or therapeutic settings as an effective tool to strengthen the stabilizer muscles of the user.
Another objective is to maintain the alignment of the joints, and compresses and lends strength to the soft tissues of the hand during the impact of a punch.
Another objective is to prevent injury to the knuckle, hand, and wrist areas during boxing and martial arts related sports.
Another objective is to provide a padded insert 108a, 108b fitted inside the upper surface 104a-b of the wrap body 102a-b to align with the knuckles.
Another objective is to provide a padded insert 108a-b fabricated from a deformably resilient material, such as a gel, that pads the knuckles when punching a target.
Another objective is to provide thumb straps 112a, 112b that can be pulled to a desired tautness, so as to achieve a desired compression of the wrap body 102a-b around the hand.
Another objective is to provide strap fasteners that comfortably and detachably retain the wrap body 102a-b around the wrist.
Another objective is to provide a hand wrap better suited for the consumer involved in combative and recreational forms of boxing and martial arts which is more convenient and easier to use than the traditional long cloth hand wrap.
Another objective is to provide a hand wrap that is easy to don on the hands.
Another objective is to induce vibratory motion in limbs during sports or exercise activity.
Typically, a hand wrap is a strip of cloth used by boxers to protect the hand and wrist against injuries induced by punching. It is wrapped securely around the wrist, the palm, and the base of the thumb, where it serves to both maintain the alignment of the joints, and to compress and lend strength to the soft tissues of the hand during the impact of a punch.
Often, participants involved in boxing and martial arts-related sports, wear hand and wrist protection under larger boxing or bag gloves for additional protection and support. This protection is commonly called a hand wrap. Traditional hand wraps are made of cotton or canvas material, and are several feet in length. The participant will tightly wrap this material around his or her knuckles, hands, and wrists. Such hand wraps help prevent serious injury to hands during full contact professional or amateur fighting if they are administered and used correctly.
With regard to the present disclosure, the device 100 may be used for a variety of sports, including football, basketball, soccer, tennis and other sports where a target is involved. For example, use of the device 100 on a wrist or arm while shooting a basketball can improve muscle coordination and improve accuracy of the shot after practicing with the device. Similarly, use of the device on a wrist or arm while catching a football can improve the ability to catch once the device is removed. In a similar manner, placing device 100 on a leg during a soccer training session could improve accuracy and strength of the kick once the device 100 is removed.
In one embodiment, the vibration motor is disposed within the body wrap. The wrap may have multiple layers of fabric or material between which the vibration motor may be situated.
As referenced in
In some embodiments, wrap body 102a-b is fabricated from a partially elastic material, i.e., fully elastic or semi-elastic material, e.g., natural rubber, cotton, spandex, or a combination. In one non-limiting embodiment, the padded insert 108a-b comprises a deformably resilient material. Though other materials and dimensions may be used.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a wrap body 102a-b glove designed to prevent hyperextension of the ligaments and tendons of the wrists of persons engaged in weightlifting and other activities where sprains to the wrist can occur. That glove has a wrist strap that is attached to the glove body and wrapped around the wrist to secure the glove to the hand and bind the wrist so that hyperextension does not occur. The glove is attached to a vibration motor.
As
In one alternative embodiment, wrap body 102a-b further comprises a flap 124 to secure the wrap body 102a-b to the forearm. Upper surface 104a, 104b of wrap body 102a-b is operably configured to have a first position along flap translation path encapsulating the resilient wrap body 102a-b cavity and a second position along flap translation path defining a resilient wrap body 102a-b opening spatially coupled to the resilient wrap body 102a-b cavity to enable removal and entry of the padded insert 108a-b. In one embodiment, flap 124 is a hook-and-loop configuration that mates with a corresponding hook-and-loop on upper surface 104a-b of wrap body 102a-b.
In one embodiment, wrap body 102a-b comprises a wrapped position along a hand wrapping path with the wrap body 102a-b encapsulating the forearm and hand, the thumb strap 112a, 112bs wrapped around the thumbs, and the padded insert 108a-b aligned with the knuckles. This allows the user to securely fasten the wrap body 102a-b to the forearm, such that the vibrating motor 120a-b-through the wrap body 102a-b-vibrates against the forearm. For example,
Turning now to
Vibrating motor 120a, 120b attaches directly to a corresponding wrap body 102a-b. For example,
For example, the user is performing a bench press with 200 pounds, and the vibrating motor 120a-b generates vibrations powerful enough to require the user to steady the weight. Depending on the amount of the load, and the desired stimulation of the user, the vibration intensity can be adjusted accordingly. In one non limiting embodiment, the specification of vibrating motor 120a-b may include, without limitation: W (Watts): 50; A (Amps): 0.8; RPM (Rotations Per Minute): 3000; V (Volts): 220; Nm (Newton Meters): 0.2; and Ins. (Insulation): F
In some embodiments, a switching mechanism 122 is used to regulate the vibratory intensity of the vibrating motor 120a-b. Switching mechanism 122 may include a dial (see
Looking again at
As
The motor 120a-b is manufactured with two cables coming out of the motor housing, about 6″ long and each one is terminated at a connector. The two black connectors and accompanying cables 126, 128 on the control box are for the encoder/feedback and the two white connectors with accompanying cables 130, 132 are for the armature/power connector 134. The two encoder/feedback cables 126, 128 are approximately 1 meter in length (part number LEC-AAA101) and they provide the communication signals between the motor and the two amplifiers in the control module 118. The two armature/power cables 130, 132 are approximately 1 meter in length (part number LAC-AAA101) and they provide the power signals between the motor and the two amplifiers in the control module 118.
During resistance training, the vibrating motor 120a-b generates vibrations that cause the user's arms to tremble throughout the movement. In turn, the user is challenged to recruit their stabilizer muscles, as well as primary muscles, in order to steady the load. In some embodiments, an emergency power off switch 116 is used to instantly power off the vibrating motor 120a-b. Should the user desire abrupt cessation of the unit for any reason, pushing the Emergency Stop Device will bring the unit to an immediate STOP position.
In one exemplary operation shown in
During training, the vibrating motor 120a-b generates vibrations that cause the user's arms to tremble throughout the movement. For example, the user may be a patient in rehab looking to fine tune their nervous system and restore/improve their ability to balance and reduce risk of falls (especially important in elderly). In turn, the user is challenged to use stabilizer and primary muscles in order to steady the load. During sporting activities, device 100 can challenge stabilizer muscles for a shot or throw, such that repeated use of the device 100 while training for sports results in
Device 100 is operable with different types of resistance and “exercises and movements” to develop the stabilizer and primary muscles. For example,
As the user becomes accustomed to training with device 100, the user undergoes physiological changes that allow them to accommodate for the vibratory stimulus. Depending on the strength of the user, a varying degree of vibration intensity may be required before the user is forced to steady the weight. For example, an individual with large stature may be stronger than an individual with small stature. In turn, the stronger individual may require a greater intensity of vibration before they are challenged to steady the weight.
As a result of the vibrations, the user experiences neural adaptations and enhanced primary and stabilizer muscle activation. These adaptations allow the body to move a given load with greater efficiency (less effort). For this reason, individuals are likely to experience an increase in their one repetition maximum upon discontinuation of the device 100. Thus, as the user becomes accustomed to training with the device 100, the user undergoes physiological changes that allow them to accommodate for the vibratory stimulus. In particular, an individual will experience neural adaptations and enhanced primary and stabilizer muscle activation. These adaptations enable the body to move a given load with greater efficiency and less effort. For this reason, subjects experience an increase in muscular strength and endurance. Alternative vibration motors, including but not limited to, linear actuator motors are contemplated within the present disclosure as providing the necessary force to generate muscle stimulation.
Further, device 100 may or may not work in conjunction with a computer or application, such as a cell phone application. The users may or may not be able to choose from a selection of workout programs or options that vary in intensity and level of vibration (similar to programmed settings on a treadmill hills, valleys, etc.). Users may be able to access programs or options through an electronic device, such as a computer or cell phone application.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the disclosure, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/726,535, filed on Sep. 4, 2018.
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