Patent Application
20160008692
The present apparatus is in the field of a portable therapeutic stretching and massage apparatus with storage capability.
In today's sport fitness and massage market place there are numerous equipment options for personal use. The massaging of muscles benefits the health of the muscle tissue due to improved blood circulation, and the release of waste material from the muscle and connective tissues. Moreover, stretching muscles and connective tissue prior to any physical activity provides the benefit of warming up said muscles and connective tissue in order to prevent injury. There are numerous devices known in the art for massaging muscles or other tissues. However, there are no known devices that combine the personal storage and stretching and massage functions of the present apparatus.
Disclosed herein is a portable exercise storage apparatus, comprising: a rigid hollow tube comprising a first end and a second end; a first end cap that is configured to removably close the first end; and at least one strap releasably connected to the first end and the second end.
The following is a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein. In this aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a portable therapeutic stretching, massage, and storage device. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which represent certain aspects of the apparatus. In the drawings, similar numerals typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural references unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. As used herein, the term “comprising” means including elements or steps that are identified following that term, but any such elements or steps are not exhaustive, and an embodiment can include other elements or steps.
The apparatuses disclosed herein pertain to a cylindrical hollow tube for storing personal items, a yoga mat, etc., while having the functionality to be used for stretching muscles and connective tissue prior to any fitness routine and massaging muscles and connective tissue following physical activity. In this aspect, the present cylindrical apparatus provides for massage therapy by the user rollingly applying pressure against the massage bumps of the cylindrical massage pad with the result of relieving tightness, knots and soreness from muscles in a user's body. Therefore, with the use of the cylindrical massage pad a user may effectively and safely relieve muscle tension and pain.
The presently disclosed apparatuses further portable personal storage and stretching and massage functions in a single device. Furthermore, the massage pad component of the disclosed apparatuses comprise massage bumps intended to provide rolling massaging relief to muscles and connective tissue. The apparatuses conveniently comprise at least one strap for carrying the apparatus and when disconnected from the apparatus may be used for stretching and warming up muscles and connective tissue prior to any physical activity.
Thus, in one aspect, disclosed herein are portable exercise storage apparatuses, comprising:
Referring now to the drawings,
In some embodiments, a portion of the outer surface of the tube 102 comprises a plurality of raised flat ridges 110. When rolled against a body, the raised flat ridges 110 provide a further massaging benefit. In some embodiments, the outer circumference of the raised flat ridge 110 area is the same as the outer circumference of the rest of the tube 102. In other embodiments, the outer circumference of the raised flat ridge 110 area is greater than the outer circumference of the rest of the tube 102.
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, not shown, the interior of the tube 102 is divided into two compartments. The removal of the first end cap 106 provides access to the first compartment and the removal of the second end cap provides access to the second compartment. Thus, for example, the first compartment may be much larger than the second compartment. The user may store a rolled yoga mat or a rolled towel, etc., in the first compartment, and store keys, mobile phone, wallet, etc. in the second compartment.
In some embodiments, the length of the apparatus 100 is sized according to the width of a standard yoga mat, such that the apparatus 100 can accommodate the mat when rolled up.
The tongue 202 is movably connected to a push button 204. When the button 204 is pushed in, the tongue 202 is retracted into the cap 106 and clears the groove 208. The end cap 106 now becomes clear to be removed from the tube 102. A spring mechanism then returns the button 204 to its resting (“out”) position, and returns the tongue 202 to its resting extended position.
In some embodiments, a lock 210 is provided. In some of these embodiments, for example the one shown in
A rod 206 is provided having the same curvature as the tube 102. The rod 206 traverses an arc of <180°, and preferably an arc of <90°, along the perimeter of the first end 104. As discussed below, the rod 206 is used in securing the strap 112 to the apparatus 100.
In some embodiments the second end 108 also comprises a corresponding one or more grooves 208. In these embodiments, when the first end cap 106 is removed from the first end 104, the first end cap 106 can be secured to the second end 108 using the same mechanism as described above for securing the first end cap 106 to the first end 104. In these embodiments, the apparatus 100 can accommodate a rolled yoga mat, where the length of the mat is longer than the length of the apparatus 100. The first end cap 108 is secured to the second end 108 so that it remains with the apparatus 100 and does not get lost.
In some embodiments, the first end cap 106 makes a water tight seal, which results in the contents of the apparatus 100 remaining dry, when the apparatus 100 has become wet, or in some embodiments, when the apparatus 100 is dropped in water, for example in a pool. Furthermore, the water tight aspect of the apparatus 100 allows for the apparatus 100 to function as a floatation device.
The strap 112 is attached to the apparatus 100 by using rods 206 and 302. As shown in
Rod 302 at the second end 108 is connected at both ends to the walls of the end 108. Thus, rod 302 does not have an open end. However, a space exists around the rod 302. The second end of the strap 112, i.e., the end with loop 404, is then threaded around the rod 302, as shown in
At this point, the strap 112 is fully attached to the apparatus 100, which takes the form shown in
In some embodiments, the tube 102 is made from aluminum, plastic, PVC, propylene, rubber, foam, silicone, neoprene or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the strap 112 is made from polyester, propylene, nylon, cotton, rubber, silicone gel or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the raised flat ridges 110 are made from rubber, elastomeric foam, silicone gel or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the plurality of the raised flat ridges 110 are identical or variable in shape, size, density and firmness.
In some embodiments, the plurality of the raised flat ridges 110 further comprise a linearly arranged waffle pattern of variable sized contoured square or circular ridges.
