EXERCISE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXERCISING
An exercise apparatus used for exercise and more specifically musculoskeletal physical therapy and rehabilitation purposes. The exercise apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, uses a combination of weight, a structure adapted for weight training by a person, and a means to suspend the weight wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axis during an exercise movement that results in increased joint strength and decreased joint pain during and after physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/941,660 filed Nov. 16, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully cited herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONExemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an exercise apparatus. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to exercise apparatus for musculoskeletal physical therapy and rehabilitation purposes. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention particularly, but not exclusively, use a combination of weights, a structure to secure the weights thereto, and a means to suspend the weights wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y, and z axis during an exercise movement that results in decreased joint pain during physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONPhysical therapy is an important component to restore, maintain and develop normal and healthy movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan of people and populations. As the average lifespan of humans continually increases, physical therapy is becoming more and more important in today's society as a necessary component for restoring, maintaining and developing the musculoskeletal health of persons. Physical therapy exercises strive to restore, maintain or develop an individual's optimal level of muscular strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility and/or mobility. The motivation for people to participate in physical therapy that will maintain and/or improve their movement and function may be from the process from injury, of aging or disease. Some of the main goals of physical therapy are to identify and maximize the potential ability for maximum movement in any person, within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
There are many benefits from when a person enhances their muscle strength, coordination and flexibility from physical therapy. Some of the key benefits of physical therapy are: increased and maintained muscle strength and endurance, restored and increased joint range of motion, increased coordination, decreased pain, decreased muscle spasm and plasticity, decreased swelling and inflammation of joints, promoted healing of soft tissue lesions, prevented contracture and deformity of limbs, alleviated walking problems, and decreased stress. These are but a few of the benefits of physical therapy.
Consequently, it can be understood that there is a need for an improved apparatus for physical therapy and joint rehabilitation. An apparatus is needed that will allow a patient to perform multiple different exercises, where the patient experiences increased exploitation of stabilization muscles along with decreased swelling and inflammation of joints. An apparatus is further needed which is portable for ease of transportation and use. Also, an apparatus is needed that is simple to assemble as well as simple to use by a therapist or patient. Additionally, an apparatus is coveted that is aesthetically pleasing. An exemplary apparatus of the present invention may satisfy some or all of these needs.
Further features of examples of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.
In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
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The motion produced in the x, y, and z axis may be either slight or pronounced and may appear to be chaotic, erratic or unpredictable. Various factors including the materials of the structure and means for suspending the weight, the amount of weight used, etc., may affect the amount of motion that occurs while the user moves the apparatus. However, if one skilled in the art were to have the right parameters regarding the motion of the structure from the user, the material properties, shape and size of the apparatus, etc., one skilled in the art may be able to make a close prediction of the actual motion of the apparatus that occurs.
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From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments disclosed provide a novel apparatus used for exercising and more specifically, rehabilitation purposes. The apparatus may have many benefits. The apparatus may allow a user to perform multiple different known exercises normally used during lifting and rehabilitation. These exercises include, but are not limited to: curls, bench press, good-mornings, skull-crushers, upright rows, leg curls, leg extensions, etc. Further, the apparatus may exploit the stabilization muscles of the joints to be built up and rehabilitated which results in enhanced rehabilitation. Further, the apparatus may reduce the swelling and inflammation of the joints during and after performing the aforementioned exercises when compared to similar exercise equipment commercially available. Additionally, the apparatus may be portable for ease of transportation and use. Also, the apparatus may be simple to assemble as well as simple to use by a therapist or patient. Moreover, an example of the apparatus may be aesthetically pleasing.
While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims:
Claims
1. A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
- a weight;
- a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter, the barbell comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood; the barbell adapted_to secure the weight thereto for weight training by a person; and
- an elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell,
- wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y, and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.
2. The lifting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for fastening the weight to the elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell.
3. The lifting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped.
4. The lifting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fastener to secure the elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the barbell.
5. The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric member for suspending the weight is an elastic band.
6. The lifting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths.
7. The lifting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the barbell is adapted to be gripped by a person.
8. A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
- a weight;
- a barbell with an inner portion diameter and an outer portion diameter, the barbell comprised of a material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood, the barbell adapted to secure the weight thereto for weight training by a person; and
- an elastomeric band for suspending the weight from the barbell,
- wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.
9. The lifting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a means for fastening the weight to the elastomeric band for suspending the weight from the barbell.
10. The lifting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for fastening the weight is substantially C-shaped.
11. The lifting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the elastic band is of differing tensions and lengths.
12. The lifting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the barbell is adapted to be gripped by a person.
13. The lifting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the outer portion has perpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into equal quadrants, the slots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion.
14. A lifting apparatus able to be used by a person comprising:
- a weight;
- a barbell with an inner portion diameter of first material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber and wood, and an outer portion diameter of second material chosen from the group consisting of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber or wood, the barbell adapted to secure the weight thereto, the outer portion having perpendicular slots that divide the outer portion into quadrants, the slots running from the end of the barbell to a length not as long as the outer portion; and
- an elastomeric member for suspending the weight from the structure,
- wherein the suspended weight is adapted to have motion in the x, y and z axes during an exercise movement that appears chaotic and erratic.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 2, 2010
Inventor: James K. Seitzer (Columbus, OH)
Application Number: 12/771,506
International Classification: A63B 21/065 (20060101);