KINESIOLOGICAL SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A kinesiological support system for supporting at least one portion of the human body above a base surface. The kinesiological support system including a body. The body includes a tactile surface and a contact surface. The tactile surface is configured to provide an elliptical contact with the at least one portion of the human body. The center of the body and the tactile surface define at least a portion of an ellipse. The contact surface is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to props for supporting the human body. More particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a kinesiological support system and method featuring at least one body providing an elliptical path of supported motion where various body configurations modify the elliptical path, the body features having a tactile surface configured to provide an elliptical contact with at least one portion of the human body for maximized surface area contact for supporting the body and, moreover, the system provides a programmable path of elliptical motion.

2. Description of Related Art

Kinesiology, or human kinetics, is the study of human movement as applied to human health that commonly includes rehabilitation, and applied toward athletic training and exercise that includes exercise equipment in the fields of Yoga, Pilates, and others. Present day kinesiologic practices incorporate support props to assist with proper alignment of the human body while subjected to various positions for a particular exercise during physical therapy, in a clinical setting, as well as for exercises, in an athletic training setting.

Presently, support props often provide an inferior combination of limited support and unreliable comfort. For example, in field of Yoga body conditioning, yoga blocks are firm rectangular blocks that are commonly used to teach proper alignment techniques in the Hatha Yoga arts. Unfortunately however, the squared surfaces and edges provided by these Yoga blocks often cause fatigue to users bodies as the contours of ones body are forced to fit against the incompatible rectangular surfaces of the Yoga block.

Similarity, exercise balls are a widely popular kinesiologic support used in clinical settings as well as athletic training to condition the body to remain balanced while responding to consistent instability from infinitely tangential circular surfaces provided by the ball during activity. Accordingly, exercise balls as well as related exercise disks provide minimal surface area contact with the human body to promote imbalanced movement so that a participant is forced to constantly correct so as to remain stable at all times. Thus, comparatively, neither of these props provide stabilized continuous movement to support the human body as a block provides no continuous movement for the user and an exercise ball provides unstable continuous movement.

Unfortunately, there is no known system for providing continuous motion with stabilized contact with the body. Moreover, there is no known device for providing a programmed path of elliptical movement while optimally supporting the human body. Therefore a need exists for a kinesiological support system including a Yoga support system and method for providing an elliptical contact to support the human body.

SUMMARY

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, aspects of the present disclosure provide a kinesiological support system and method for supporting at least one portion of the human body above a base surface. The kinesiological support system includes a body. The body includes a tactile surface and a contact surface. The tactile surface is configured to provide an elliptical contact with the at least one portion of the human body. The center of the body and the tactile surface define at least a portion of an ellipse. The contact surface is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

Each body provides a surface segment for modifying the motion of the elliptical path established by the body. Optionally, the body interchangeably receives at least one program module thereby to define a programmed configuration of the contact surface that provides a corresponding programmed path of elliptical motion to the body relative to the base surface.

Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the present invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not by limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view from the side of a kinesiological support system of the present disclosure having a body including a tactile surface and a contact surface;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a kinesiological support system featuring a body having a major axis and a minor axis perpendicular to the major axis;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the kinesiological support system featuring at least one surface segment;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a kinesiological support system having a tactile surface, a contact surface, and at least one surface segment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view from the side showing one embodiment of a kinesiological support system 1 featuring a program processor for interchangeably receiving a plurality of program modules to define a programmed configuration of the body that corresponds to a programmed path of elliptical contact;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, isometric view, of the kinesiological system of FIG. 5 exposing a processor interface, provided by a program processor, for receiving a fastener to join the program processor with a program module;

FIG. 7 generally illustrates exemplary configurations of program modules for interchangeably joining with a programmed processor, specifically, FIG. 7A shows a program processor with a fastener exploding therefrom, FIG. 7B features a program module having a surface segment defining an ellipse, and FIG. 7C illustrates a program module featuring a pair of surface segments for modifying motion of the elliptical path, such as a surface segment for motion restriction as well as a surface segment for stopping motion;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view from the side illustrating one embodiment of a kinesiological support system featuring motion modifiers disposed on a tactile surface;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a kinesiological support system with a tactile surface configured to provide an elliptical contact with at least one portion of the human body and a contact surface configured to provide an elliptical path of motion relative to the base surface;

FIG. 10 illustrates a kinesiological support system having a plurality of bodies, namely a first body, a second body, and a third body where the second and third bodies provide support to the contact surface of the first body as the tactile surface of the first body provides elliptical contact with at least one portion of the human body;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a kinesiological support system having a plurality of bodies each body being used by at least one portion of the human body;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a kinesiological support system having a plurality of bodies used with at least one portion of the human body;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a kinesiological support system having a body applied to the wrist and forearm at a non-right (90°) angle relative to a base surface; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a kinesiological support system having a plurality of bodies with each body applied to a hand and wrist at a non-right (90°) angle relative to a base surface.

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated relative to the other elements to help improve understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the Figures Like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

In this disclosure and appended claims the term “tactile” refers to a surface of a body that is in contact with at least one portion of a human body. In this disclosure and appended claims the term “contact surface” refers to the surface of a body that is in contact with a base surface. In this disclosure and appended claims the term “base surface” refers to a surface by which the human body and the kinesiological support system compresses against, such as among others a floor or wall.

FIGS. 1-4 show various embodiments of a kinesiological support system 1. Generally, the kinesiological support system 1 is operatively applied to a variety of applications including among others clinical applications such as for physical therapy and athletic applications such as for toning, training, Yoga and Pilates. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of applications that require continuous movement while stably supporting at least one portion of the human body.

For purposes of illustration in this specification and appended claims, the kinesiological support system 1 comprises a Yoga support system 1 such that the kinesiological support system 1 and the Yoga support system 1 are understood to be interchangeable in the narrative of the Specification provided below but it is understood that an kinesiological support system 1 includes other applications in addition to yoga such as pilates, physical therapy, and athletic training.

Accordingly, FIG. 1 specifically illustrates one embodiment of the kinesiological support system comprising a Yoga support system 1 having a body 10. The body 10 is composed of a substantially firm material. Illustratively, the body is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam or alternatively of wood, gels as well as natural or synthetic rubber. At least a portion of the body 10 is elliptical in shape to provide, at least in part, an elliptical path of motion.

The body 10 includes a tactile surface 11. The tactile surface 11 is configured to provide an elliptical contact with at least a portion of the human body 88a, as shown in FIGS. 9-12. The body 10 and the tactile surface 11 define at least a portion of an ellipse.

The body 10 further includes a contact surface 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the contact surface opposes the tactile surface 11 on the body 10. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the contact surface 12 is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion 100 for the body 10 relative to a base surface 77.

In at least one embodiment, the contact surface 12 and the tactile surface 11 are symmetrically opposing. Accordingly, the tactile surface 11 is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body 10 relative to the base surface 77 as well as configured to provide an elliptical contact with at least one portion of the human body 88a. Moreover, similarly, the contact surface 12 is configured to provide an elliptical contact with at least one portion of the human body 88a in addition to providing and elliptical path of motion to the body 10 relative to the base surface 77.

As shown in FIG. 1, the body further includes contouring 16. In at least one embodiment, the contouring 16 defines rounded edges. One alternative embodiment does not feature contouring with the body 10.

Optionally, the body 10 includes indicia 19 disposed thereon. Illustratively, the indicia 19 comprise the THREE MINUTE EGG brand logo of Three Minute Egg, Inc. of Asheville, N.C.

In one embodiment, the numeral “3”, the hourglass shape, and egg shaped oval “0” define a recess on one side of the body 10 whereas the numeral “3”, the hourglass shape, and egg shaped oval “0” on the opposing side of the body 10 project outwardly from the surface (as shown in FIG. 6 with respect to indicia 19). As such, the body 10 optionally includes a plurality of projection and recess sets to facilitate stacking of at least one portion of the body 10 with that portion of another body.

Kinesiological support systems 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 each feature a portion of an ellipse 17. As such the elliptical portions 17 of the body 10 geometrically feature a major axis 22 and a minor axis 23 whereby the perpendicular intersection of the major access 22 and the minor access 23 forms the center 25 of the body 10, as shown.

Each body 10 includes at least a portion of an ellipse 17. Such ellipse inherently includes foci. Each focus point 27 of the foci are shown on each respective body 10 in FIGS. 2 and 3. As such, the distance from each focus point 27 to the center of the body 25 is referred to by the letter “F”. “F” is a numeric geometrical relationship that is obtained by a common mathematical formula.

Accordingly, each body 10 from a kinesiological support system 1 features at least a portion of an ellipse 17 where the mathematical expression of the curvature of such ellipse is expressed by the distance “F”, the distance from the ellipse center 25 to each inherent focus point 27. For each body 10 provided by a kinesiological support system 1, the portion of the ellipse 17 exhibits at least a partial characteristic elliptical curvature with the focus distance “F” being in the range of 2.0-7.0. In one embodiment, the portion of the ellipse 17 exhibits at least a partial characteristic elliptical curvature with the focus distance “F” that is 5.56, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each body 10 further includes at least one surface segment 13, in addition to the portion of an ellipse 17. Optionally, the surface segment 13 modifies the motion of the elliptical path 100 established by the body 10 where such modifications of motion include stopping the motion of the elliptical path 100 (typically by assuming a rectangular or flat-end surface), restricting motion of the elliptical path 100 by providing grip or directional configurations. In operation, the at least one surface segment 13 provides an area of alternative body 10 movement in addition to the motion of the elliptical path 100, for example FIG. 4 provides a portion 17 for elliptical movement as well as a surface segment 13 for stationary movement at opposing ends as an alternative movement. In one alternative embodiment, as FIG. 7B, the surface segment 13 defines an ellipse that continues the elliptical movement established by the portion of an ellipse 17.

In operation, each surface segment 13 acts to change the continuous elliptical motion provided by either the tactile or contact surfaces 11, 12. For example, in one embodiment the surface segment is configured to stop motion as the surface segment 13 is faced off as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This stationary motion surface segment 13 is optionally used as an alternative to continuous elliptical motion provided by the portion of an ellipse. In one further embodiment the surface segment is configured to restrict motion as shown in FIG. 7C reference numeral 45 as cornering-off.

Operatively, the contact surface 12 defines a predetermined configuration of the body 10 to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body 10 relative to the base surface 77. In one embodiment, the contact surface 12 includes a surface segment 13 configured to stop motion, such as facing off. As such, the body 10 illustratively accommodates both exercises requiring elliptical movement and support, such as among others a back stretching exercise, as well as exercises requiring no movement and maximum stability such as among others a hand stand. In one embodiment the contact surface 12 includes a surface segment 13 configured to restrict motion, such as providing a chamfered corner. A variety of surface segment configurations are provided to the body 10 to modify the elliptical path of motion established by the body 10 relative to the base surface 77.

To further modify motion, the kinesiological support system 1 of FIG. 8 further includes motion modifiers 33 disposed on a body 10 provided by the kinesiological support system 1. As shown, the body 10 includes a portion of an ellipse 17 relative to the body' 10 center 25. The portion of an ellipse 17 defines a combination of a tactile surface 11 and/or contact surface 11. In general, the motion modifiers 33 operatively modify the elliptical path of motion provided by the body 10.

With reference to FIG. 8, the motion modifiers are disposed on the portion of the ellipse 17 or, alternatively, the entire body 10. The motion modifiers 33 in one embodiment comprise grooves defined by the body 10. In operation, the grooves of the motion modifiers 33 provide greater surface area for the body 10 to grip against either a portion of a human body 88a or a base surface 77 and generally augment the motion as the body 10 is provided with enhanced grip.

FIGS. 5-7 generally illustrate embodiments of kinesiological support systems 1 with programmable motion for use with yoga and other kinesiological applications. As shown in FIG. 5, a kinesiological support system 1 includes a body 10. The body includes a tactile surface 11 and a contact surface 12. The tactile surface 11 is configured to provide elliptical contact with the at least one portion of the human body 88a to facilitate increased surface contact area with the human body for increased motion stability.

With further reference to FIG. 5, the contact surface 12 is defined, at least in part, by at least one program module 44, 45. Each program module 44, 45 generally provides a tactile surface and a contact surface as discussed above. Generally, the at least one program module collectively defines a programmed path of elliptical motion for the body 10 relative to the base surface 77.

In particular, two program modules are shown as a first program module 44 and a second program module 45. The first program module 44 includes a first program module tactile surface 44a and a first program module contact surface 44b. The first program module 44 further includes a first program module surface segment 44c. For the embodiment of FIG. 5, the first program module surface segment 44c defines at least a portion of an ellipse. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of configurations for the first program module surface segment 44c to modify motion of the body 10 along an elliptical path, such as among others a flat end to stop motion.

Similarly, the second program module 45 includes a second program module tactile surface 45a and a second program module contact surface 45b. The second program module 45 further includes a second program module surface segment 45c. For the embodiment of FIG. 7b, the second program module surface segment 45c and the second program module surface segment 45c′ define a squared-out, stop motion segment and a chamfered-out, restrict motion segment, respectively.

The body 10 further includes a program processor 30. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the program processor 30. Generally, in operation, the program processor 30 interchangeably receives at least one program module to define a programmed configuration of the body 10 including a combination of tactile and support surfaces.

By interchanging program modules of different sizes and configurations with the program processor 30, one is able to program path of motion to the body 10 relative to the base surface 77 and program the body's 10 configuration for contact relative to at least one portion of the human body 88a. Accordingly, one could program a combination of motion and tactile support provided by the body 10. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily recognize being able to program the configuration of the body in a variety of other configurations and sizes.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the program processor 30 interchangeably receives the at least one program module 44, 45 to define a programmed configuration of the contact surface 12 that provides a corresponding programmed path of elliptical motion to the body 10 relative to the base surface 77. The program processor 30 interchangeably receives at least one program module 44, 45 to define a programmed path of elliptical contact of the body 10 relative to the at least one portion of the human body 88a. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the at least one program modules 44, 45 secure to one another, without a program processor 10, to define a corresponding body 10 that provides a programmed path of elliptical motion.

For the embodiment of FIG. 6, the program processor 30 partially defines a body 10. The program processor 30 includes a processor body segment 32. The processor body segment 32 is optionally composed of damping materials such as among others gels, air bladders, and memory foams. As each program module forms the body 10, each program module the body is composed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam or alternatively of wood, gels as well as natural or synthetic rubber. As a further option, the program processor 30 is configured to integrate with the indicia 19, such as integration with the THREE MINUTE EGG logo.

As shown, the program processor 30 includes a processor interface 31. The program module 44 joins with the program processor 30 at the processor interface. A fastener 52 secures the program modules 44, 45 with the program processor 30. The fastener 52 facilitates secured integration as well as interchangeability of at least one program module with the program processor 30.

In one embodiment, the fastener 52 defines a locking bolt. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the processor interface 31 defines a fastening interface 52a for receiving the fastener 52 to secure the program modules 44, 45 with the program processor 30.

Optionally, the program processor 30 includes aligners 55. As shown in FIGS. 7b and 7c, aligners 55 are further provided by at least one program module 45. Aligners 55 operate to ensure that the program modules 44, 45 remain aligned while secured to the program processor 30 via the fastener 52. Alternatively, the aligners 55 secure the program modules 44, 45 to the program processor 30 in addition to ensuring alignment while secured.

In one embodiment, the aligners 55 each comprise a magnet, such as among others rare earth magnets. Alternatively, the aligners 55 each comprise adhesive material.

FIG. 7 generally shows interchangeability of one program module of FIG. 7b with another program module of FIG. 7c having a different configuration. Inasmuch, the program module of FIG. 7b includes a surface segment defining an elliptical configuration whereas the program module of FIG. 7c includes a surface segment for motion restriction 45c and a surface segment for stopping motion 45c′.

FIGS. 9-14 generally show the kinesiological support system 1 used with a human body 88 with respect to a base surface 77. Moreover, at least one kinesological support system 1 includes a plurality of bodies, such as a body 10 and a second body 10′, a third body 10″, a fourth body 10′″, and a fifth body 10″″ each body including a tactile surface. Optionally, each body further includes a contact surface.

FIG. 9 shows the large surface area of contact provided by the body 10 between the tactile surface 11 and the portion of the human body 88a to provide support while either moving or in a stationary position. FIG. 9 also shows an elliptical path of motion 100 established by the contact surface 12 relative to the base surface 77. Illustratively, the base surface 77 includes a yoga mat 77a and a pilates floor 77b.

In a similar human body position as in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 shows a kinesological support system 1 having a plurality of bodies 10, 10′, 10″. The body 10 includes a tactile surface 11 with respect to the portion of the human body 88a whereas the remaining bodies features contact surfaces to provide support to position the human body 88 above the base surface 77.

FIG. 11 shows a kinesological support system 1 having a plurality of bodies 10, 10′, 10″. The body 10 includes two tactile surfaces 11.

FIG. 12 shows a kinesological support system 1 having a plurality of bodies 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″, 10″″. The body 10 includes two tactile surfaces 11 whereas the body 10′″ includes two contact surfaces 12.

FIGS. 13-14 illustrate kinesiological support systems 1 for facilitating continuous motion with stabilized contact with each body 10 as distinguished from squared surfaces and edges provided by Yoga blocks that often cause fatigue to users bodies as the contours of ones body are forced to fit against the incompatible rectangular surfaces of the Yoga block. In contrast to a Yoga block, FIG. 13 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a kinesiological support system 1 having a body 10 applied to the wrist and forearm 88a at a non-right (90°) angle relative to a base surface 77. FIG. 14 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a kinesiological support system 1 having a plurality of bodies 10 with each body 10 applied to a hand and wrist 88a at a non-right (90°) angle relative to a base surface 77.

One exemplary method for supporting at least one portion of a human body is appreciated as follows. The at least one portion of the human body elliptically contacts with a tactile surface. The tactile surface and a contact surface are each provided by a body of a yoga support system. The body's center and the tactile surface defining at least a portion of an ellipse.

The contact surface is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion relative to the base surface. Optionally, the body interchangeably receives at least one program module thereby to define a programmed configuration of the contact surface that provides a corresponding programmed path of elliptical motion to the body relative to the base surface.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A yoga support system for supporting at least one portion of a human body above a base surface, the yoga support system comprising:

a body, the body including a tactile surface and a contact surface, the tactile surface configured to provide an elliptical contact with the at least one portion of the human body, and the body and the tactile surface defining at least a portion of an ellipse.

2. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the ellipse features a focus distance being in the range of 2.0 to 7.0.

3. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact surface is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

4. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the tactile surface is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

5. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact surface is configured to provide an elliptical contact with the at least one portion of the human body.

6. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact surface defines a predetermined configuration to provide the elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

7. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact surface includes a surface segment configured to stop motion.

8. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact surface includes a surface segment configured to restrict motion.

9. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein the contact surface is defined by at least one program module.

10. The yoga support system according to claim 9 wherein the at least one program module collectively defines a programmed configuration to provide the elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

11. The yoga support system according to claim 9 wherein the body further includes a program processor.

12. The yoga support system according to claim 11 wherein the program processor interchangeably receives the at least one program module to define a programmed configuration of the contact surface that provides a corresponding programmed path of elliptical motion of the body relative to the base surface.

13. The yoga support system according to claim 11 wherein the program processor interchangeably receives the at least one program module to define a programmed configuration of the tactile surface that provides a corresponding programmed path of elliptical contact of the body relative to the at least one portion of the human body.

14. The yoga support system according to claim 1 further comprising a second body, the second body including a tactile surface and a contact surface.

15. The yoga support system according to claim 1 wherein each body includes a plurality of dimple and recess sets to facilitate stacking of at least one portion of the body with that portion of another body.

16. A kinesiological support system for supporting at least one portion of a human body above a base surface, the kinesiological support system comprising:

a body, the body including a tactile surface and a contact surface, tactile surface configured to provide an elliptical contact with the at least one portion of the human body, the center of the body and the tactile surface defining at least a portion of an ellipse, and the contact surface is configured to provide an elliptical path of motion to the body relative to the base surface.

17. The kinesiological support system according to claim 16 wherein the portion of the ellipse features a focus distance being in the range of 2.0 to 7.0.

18. The kinesiologial support system according to claim 16 wherein the at least one program module collectively defines a programmed configuration to provide the elliptical path of motion of the body relative to the base surface.

19. A method for supporting at least one portion of a human body above a base surface, the method comprising:

elliptically contacting the at least one portion of the human body with a tactile surface, the tactile surface and a contact surface each provided by a body, the center of the body and the tactile surface defining at least a portion of an ellipse; and

configuring the contact surface to provide an elliptical path of motion relative to the base surface.

20. The method for supporting according to claim 19 further including the step of interchangeably receiving at least one program module at the body to define a programmed configuration of the contact surface that provides a corresponding programmed path of elliptical motion to the body relative to the base surface.