Method and Apparatus for Exercise, Strength and Physical Therapeutic Training

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for exercise, strength and physical therapeutic training wherein a clear hollow tube is filled with a liquid and/or movable object and sealed at opposing ends allowing the trainer and/or trainee to view the movement and displacement of contents to assist in the workout to better maintain balance and strength.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/493,806

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to an improved slosh tube or slosh pipe for strength, exercise and trearapeutic training.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Slosh Tubes are very common and used to assist an individual in strength, exercise and therapeutic training. The tubes in existence are made with opaque hollow plastic tubes containing a liquid therein and sealed at their opposing ends. To save costs the tubes are commonly made with a cheap opaque plastic, such as poly vinyl chloride (PVC). The goal of the trainee is to keep the bar straight and level, providing an added benefit over a solid bar weight that does not require the additional factor of balance.

Unfortunately, since the liquid in the PVC tube, as currently found, will usually move past a point where the trainee looses balance they must always be assisted by a spotter to prevent injury.

By utilizing a clear tube, it is possible to customize the workout viewing the trainee's full range of motion and movement of the clear slosh tube and the contents therein to determine where the workout needs the most work and when balance begins to go awry. The workout with the present invention can be used with or without a trainer or spotter. The tube can even be used by a trainee without a spotter or trainer since the trainee can use the tube in front of a mirror and view the contents inside the tube, preventing injury by being able to stabilize the bar before it loses complete imbalance.

The present invention can be used with a trainer who can view the complete workout, including the individual's full range of motion and the contents within the tube to better determine the point of the workout the trainee needs to concentrate on. While the cost of the tube is more expensive, the results can be a great cost savings when taking into account the greater efficiency of the workout with the present invention (and the fact that it may be used without a spotter and/or trainer) providing accelerated neurological adaptation due to additional stimulation of the instability, in conjunction with the visual feedback, as well as increased motor unit recruitment due to the demand of the neurological response.

This “muscle confusion” increases the necessity for the body to activate multiple muscle synergies which will establish fundamental movement patterns that will aid in future injury prevention while simultaneously increasing the cardiovascular demand, burning more calories. Due to the dynamic nature of the stimuli the individual learns to decrease the amount of time necessary to perceive, process and respond to internal & external sensory stimulation.

The dynamic demand also prolongs the effectiveness of a particular exercise due to the level of proprioception.

The tubes or can be manufactured in multiple profiles, shapes and sizes to allow for a variety of functionalities (i.e., bench press, military press, arm curls/dumbbells).

Additionally, unlike previous tubes where the contents of the tube are unable to be viewed, the current invention can include a colored liquid to better view the contents and achieve better stabilization and more effective determination of the balance throughout the trainee's range of motion.

Further, the slosh tube can include a solid weight (i.e. steel ball), that may also be used to add additional weight, as well as add an additional challenging factor in achieving balance. When used with a solid weight, the viscosity of the liquid can be altered as well to enhance the challenge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a slosh tube comprises a long clear hollow tube containing a liquid and a ball within and end caps on each opposing end of the tube.

The clear tube results in a significant cost savings as the user may utilize the device without a trainer. Instead of having to guess where the bar is balanced, the current invention only requires that the user view the liquid and/or ball within during use.

By also using a clear tube, the user can also customize their slosh tube through the use of multi-colored liquid. Color liquids can be utilized to help the user view and balance the tube by being better able to see the interior of the tube, as well as identifying and personalizing their personal equipment.

By also utilizing a ball or a plurality of balls within the tube, the user may be able to alter the total weight of the tube without having to alter the exterior dimensions of the slosh tube.

In accordance with another embodiment, a slosh tube comprises a clear long hollow tube, liquid and a ball within, and an end cap on each end of the tube and cushioning on the interior of the end cap.

The cushioning on the interior of each cap on each end of the invention effectively allows the invention to be more forgiving when the ball hits the end it will not be as severe of a impact to the user as if the invention did not possess the cushioning allowing the user to be more aggressive in lifting the device. The cushioning also provides for a greater life span for the invention with less impact against the interior of the end caps.

In accordance with another embodiment a slosh tube comprises clear short hollow tube, liquid and a ball within, and an end cap on each end of the tube.

By utilizing a short tube, the invention is more efficiently used as a dumbbell type of lifting device, enabling the user to grasp the invention easily in one hand.

In accordance with another embodiment, a slosh tube as described herein above, comprises a clear hollow tube, and a handle attached to the tube.

The attachment handle provides the user with additional tools in one device. Instead of a separate clear tube, ball and liquid dispersed within, the current invention with a handle accomplishes the goal to add additional exercises as well the addition of weight to the invention.

In order to more fully understand the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope, the invention in its presently understood best mode for making and using the same will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION FOR THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the invention filled with a liquid and ball.

FIG. 2 is a view of the invention filled with a liquid and ball to be used as smaller weights, such as dumbbells.

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the invention with a solid ball and cushioned member within the end caps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the invention permits an individual to use a slosh tube grabbing the exterior of the clear hollow tube (1) filled with a colored liquid (2) a solid ball (3) contained therein. As displayed in FIG. 1, attached at each end of the tube (1) are two end caps (4) in order to contain the liquid (2) and ball (3).

In between the two end-caps caps (4) inside the tube (1), the liquid (2) and ball (3) move along depending on the balance of the tube (1). The weight of the tube (1) will shift as the liquid (2) and ball (3) will naturally collect at the lower portion of the bar (1).

The liquid (2) and ball (3) are held within the tube (1) by the means of end caps (4) on each side of the tube (1).

As shown in FIG. 2, the tube (1) can be manufactured to possess smaller lengths (5) to be used as lighter weights or as dumbbells depending on the size the individual user is dealing with.

FIG. 3 shows more detail and gives more insight of how the ball (3) is cushioned over the interior of the end cap (4) by utilizing a cushioned device (6) on the interior portion of the end caps (4). The cushioning (6) allows the user to utilize a ball (3) manufactured of steel inside the tube (1) which will provide less of a jolt or impact, should the ball (3) come into contact with the inside of the end caps (4) as well as lengthening the life span of the invention.

It should be understood that although the present invention is described in detail for its particular embodiments, there may be other variations and modifications that will become apparent to those who are skilled in the art upon reading this specification, and that these modifications or variations that can be made should not detract from the true spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a transparent rigid hollow tube, a portion of the exterior of the tube configured to be grasped by a person's hands;

a colored flowable liquid dispersed within the tube; and

end caps attached to respective ends of the hollow tube that are parallel to each other and perpindicular to the length of the hollow tube to effectively seal the hollow tube.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a ball dispersed within the colored flowable liquid within the hollow tube.

3. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of balls dispersed within the colored flowable liquid within the hollow tube.

4. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a cushioned device on the interior of each respective end cap within the hollow tube.

5. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior portion of the hollow tube possesses a handle.