Contra-equipoise muscel destabiilzing roller exercise apparatus and method

Abstract

A method to exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual utilizes a manually held apparatus which is manipulated to roll a ball in the apparatus to change continuously the balance of the apparatus to destabilize muscles in the body of an individual utilizing the apparatus.

Description

This invention relates to exercise apparatus and methodologies.

A long existing motivation in the fields of athletics and physical fitness is to develop improved exercise apparatus and methods for utilizing exercise apparatus.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved exercise apparatus and method for utilizing the same.

Therefore it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved exercise apparatus and method for conducting exercise regimes.

These and other, further and more specific objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view illustrating the mode of operation of a resilient rebound member mounted in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view still further illustrating the mode of operation of the resilient rebound member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view further illustrating the mode of operation of the resilient rebound member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating another embodiment of the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a closure and associated resilient rebound member mounted in one end of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view illustrating the mode of operation of another embodiment of contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view further illustrating the mode of operation of the destabilizing apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the mode of operation of yet another embodiment of contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating the mode of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view further illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 12 after it has been assembled;

FIG. 14 is a side section view illustrating further construction details of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the assembled embodiment of FIG. 13; and,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled embodiment of FIG. 12.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved method to exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual. The method comprises the step of providing a contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus. The apparatus comprises an elongate housing. The housing includes a first end; a second end; a first closure at the first end; a second closure at the second end; at least a first resilient rebound member mounted at one of the first and second ends; a traversible hollow space in the housing extending between the first end and the second end; and a ball mounted in the traversible hollow space. The ball traverses under the force of gravity from one of the ends toward the resilient rebound member when the housing is canted away from the horizontal; contacts and rebounds from the resilient rebound member; and, alters the center of gravity of the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when the ball traverses the hollow space. The method also includes the steps of grasping the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus with at least one hand; holding the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above the ground; engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manually tilting the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such that the ball moves from one end toward the resilient rebound member and contacts and rebounds from the resilient rebound member.

In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved method to exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual. The method includes the steps of providing a contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus. The apparatus comprises an elongate hollow housing having a first end; a second end; a first closure at the first end; a second closure at the second end; at least a first resilient rebound member mounted at one of the first and second ends; an inner space in the housing extending between the first end and the second end; and, a ball mounted in the inner space. The ball traverses the space under the force of gravity from one of the ends toward the other of the ends when the housing is canted away from the horizontal; compresses the first resilient rebound member, and alters the center of gravity of the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when the ball traverses the inner space. The method also includes the steps of grasping the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus with at least one hand; holding the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above the ground; and, engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manually tilting the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such that the ball moves from one end toward the other of the ends and compresses the first resilient rebound member.

Turning now to the drawings which are provided by way of example and not limitation of the invention and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and generally indicated by reference character 10. Apparatus 10 includes a hollow cylindrical housing 16. Housing 16 is preferably, but not necessarily, elongate and includes a first end and a second end. A first closure 12 is fixedly, preferably removably, mounted at the first end of housing 16. A second closure 11 is fixedly, preferably removably, mounted at the second end of housing. At least a first resilient rebound member 14 is mounted in housing 16 preferably, but not necessarily, on closure 12, i.e. on cylindrical base 13 of closure 12. A second resilient rebound member 18 can be mounted in housing 16 on base 19 of closure 11. Each member 14, 18 has at least two operative positions, a first expanded “at rest” position in which the shape and dimension of member 14, 18 is relatively stable and fixed; and, a second compressed position in which at least the height of member 14, 18 is reduced when the member 14, 18 is contacted by a ball 17 which moves through traversible hollow space 15 and strikes the member 14, 18. Space 15 is circumscribed by inner cylindrical wall 15A and has a circular cross sectional area. One or more balls 17 is mounted in space 15 and rolls, or slides, along inner cylindrical wall 15A from one end of apparatus 10 to the other end of apparatus 10. When a ball 17 reaches one end of apparatus 10 and strikes the appropriate resilient rebound member 14, 18, the member 14, 18 is compressed to a second operative position. After a member 14, 18 is compressed, the member resiliently expands back to its first expanded “at rest” operative position. This expansion generates a force which tends to push ball 17 away from the member 14, 18. This compress—rebound cycle for a member 14, 18 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

In FIG. 2, a ball 17 traveling along inner cylindrical wall 15A and through space 15 is moving in the direction of arrow A toward rebound member 18. In FIG. 2, member 18 is in its first expanded “at rest” position. In FIG. 3, ball 71 has contacted and compressed member 18. In FIG. 4, member 18 has resiliently expanded from its second operative position back to its first expanded “at rest” operative position and has generated sufficient force to displace ball 17 away from member 18 in the direction of arrow B. The magnitude of the force (acting in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4) that is generated in the direction of arrow B after ball 17 strikes member 18 depends on the weight of ball 17, on the degree to which member 18 compresses and contracts, and on the speed at which ball 17 contacts member 18. It may be possible to only slightly cant, or tilt, apparatus 10 from the horizontal so that ball slowly rolls to, strikes, and comes to rest against member 18 without rebounding from member 18 because the speed of the ball is not enough to sufficiently compress member 18 so that member 18 generates a rebound force sufficient to move ball 17 away from member 18. In order for a ball 17 to be moved apart from member 18 in the direction of arrow B, the force generated by member 18 when it moves from the second back to the first operative position must be sufficient to overcome the force of gravity acting on ball 17.

A rebound member 14, 18 can be constructed from any desired compressible resilient material, including a polymer, a conventional metal helical spring, etc.

The ball(s) 17 utilized in apparatus 10 can also be constructed out of any desired material(s), can be solid, can be hollow, etc. as long as the ball 17 will perform the function of rolling or sliding along inner wall 15A. Stainless steel balls are presently preferred. It is also preferred, although not necessary, that a plurality of balls 17 each of differing weight and/or diameter be provided, and that apparatus 10 be designed so that a ball(s) 17 can be removed from apparatus 10 and a different ball (or different number of balls) 17 inserted. In one embodiment of the apparatus, one end of the inner wall 15A is internally threaded and a closure 11A (FIG. 7) is provided which includes an externally threaded portion 23 that turns into the internally threaded portion of inner wall 15A. This permits closure 11A to be readily inserted in and removed from apparatus 10.

The shape and dimension of apparatus 10, including housing 16, ball 17, and other components of the apparatus 10, can vary as desired, as can the material used to construct each component. An elongate generally housing 16 with a cylindrical aperture formed therein and circumscribing a traversible hollow space 15 is presently preferred. In one embodiment of the invention, ball 17 is replaced by a cube or other shaped object which will slide or roll along inner wall 15A.

The length, indicated by arrows L, and width, indicated by arrows W, of contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus 10 can vary as desired. In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and identified by reference character 10A, the length, L, is 122.9 cm and the width, W, is 60 cm. In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the length, L, and width, W, of apparatus are equivalent to that found in the handles 35, 38 of conventional dumbbells (FIGS. 10, 11). The construction and functioning of apparatus 10A is comparable to that of apparatus 10, except that apparatus 10A is larger.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, apparatus 10 is sized to generally have the length and diameter of the handle 35, 38 on a dumbbell 28, 29 (FIG. 11). Further, apparatus 10 is provided with a handle 20 which includes a grip 21 and a pair of parallel, spaced apart arms interconnecting grip 20 and apparatus 10.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, apparatus 10A is, as noted, significantly larger than the apparatus 10, but still has the same general construction illustrated in FIG. 1; provided, however, a pair of parallel spaced apart handles 24 and 25 are attached to apparatus 10A so that an individual can hold the apparatus in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, apparatus 10 is equivalent to the size of apparatus 10 in FIGS. 5 and 6, and handle 35 consists of one apparatus 10 while handle 38 consists of another apparatus 10. Accordingly, as earlier noted above, apparatus 10 is incorporated into a pair of dumbbells. Weights 37, 39 are mounted on the ends of apparatus 10 in one dumbbell 28 while weights 34 and 36 are mounted on the ends of apparatus 10 in another dumbbell 29.

In use, canting or tilting exercise apparatus 10, 10A constructed in accordance with the invention causes a ball(s) 17 mounted within the apparatus to rol or slidel along inner surface 15A (FIG. 1). The center of gravity of apparatus 10 continuously changes when ball 17 rolls along inner surface 15A between closures 11 and 12. Further, when apparatus 10, 10A is held in a horizontal orientation in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 to 11 (in FIGS. 10 and 11 apparatus 10 comprises handles 35, 38) apparatus 10 is in equipoise only when it is parallel to the ground and ball 17 is centered in housing 16 equidistant from closures 11 and 12. Accordingly apparatus 10, 10A is, practically speaking, contra-equipoise. This is because apparatus 10, 10A rarely, if ever, is in a perfectly horizontal orientation and because ball 17 is rarely, if ever, centered between closures 11 and 12. Ball 17 readily rolls along inner surface 15A, and the centering of ball 17 between closures 11 and 12 is difficult to achieve. As ball 17 moves along inner surface 15A, the center of gravity of apparatus 10, 10A continuously changes and the balance of apparatus is continuously altered, or destabilized. The continuous destabilization of apparatus 10 as ball 17 moves along inner surface 15A requires an individual's muscles—in order to maintain control of apparatus 10, 10A—to continuously react to counteract and counterbalance the contra-equipoise apparatus 10, 10A.

As used herein, the core refers to muscles which act on the thoracolumbar fascia, which is a large “hoop” of connective tissue the encircles and stabilizes the mid-section. Core muscles generally comprise two groups. The first group consists of deep inner muscles that function to provide stability, posture, and balance. The deep muscles are composed largely of slow twitch fibers. The second group consists of outer superficial muscles which are mainly composed of fast twitch fibers.

The slow twitch fibers of deep muscles are shorter and better suited to maintain posture, stability, and heavy loads. This permits the deep muscles to stabilize the spine, maintain balance, and support posture.

The fast twitch fibers of the superficial muscles are longer and better suited to generate large amounts of torque and full body movements.

Superficial muscles primarily provide primary mobility for the body. Deep muscles primarily provide consistent stability and control.

Core muscles typically include the abs, obliques, and muscles of the back.

Apparatus 10, 10A constructed in accordance with the invention can be utilized in a variety of applications including proprioception training, core strengthening, rehabilitation, post rehabilitation, circuit training, weight loss, balance training, stability training, cross training, power training, specific sports training, stress management, function training, reactive training, therapy, vibration training, and play.

One use of contra-equipoise apparatus 10A is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. An individual manually grasps handles 24 and 25 of apparatus 10A, stands in fixed position, and maintains apparatus 10 in a generally horizontal orientation while oscillating the apparatus back and forth in the directions indicated by arrows G and H. Such oscillation of the apparatus causes ball 17 to roll along inner surface 15A such that the center of gravity and balance of apparatus 10A changes continuously. This brings into play the muscles of individual 30, in particular the core muscles, in order to counteract and counterbalance changes in the weight distribution of apparatus 10A and maintain apparatus 10A in a generally horizontal orientation.

In another use of apparatus 10A, an individual manually grasps apparatus 10A in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and then oscillates or rocks apparatus 10A by (1) first tilting the first end down in the direction of arrow K and raising the first end back up to return apparatus 10A to a horizontal orientation, (2) then tilting the second end down in the direction of arrow J and raising the second end back up to return apparatus 10A to a horizontal orientation, (3) then again tiling the first end down in the direction of arrow K and raising the first end back up to return apparatus 10A to a horizontal orientation, and so on. Such tilting causes ball 17 to roll, and/or slide, back and forth along inner surface 15A, which continuously changes the center of gravity, and balance, of apparatus 10. This brings into play the muscles of individual 30, in particular the core muscles, in order to counteract and counterbalance changes in the weight distribution of apparatus 10A and maintain control of apparatus 10A.

Handles 35 and 38 in FIG. 11 each comprise, as noted, an apparatus 10. Manually grasping handles 35 and 38 and manipulating dumbbells 28 and 29 in any manner which causes a ball 17 in the handles to move along inner surface 15A changes the center of gravity, and consequently the balance, of handles 35 and 38 and of dumbbells 28 and 29. When the balance of dumbbells 28 and 29 changes, the individual's muscles are continuously destabilized and must adjust to compensate for such change in order to individual 30 to maintain control of dumbbells 28 and 29, i.e., as the balance of dumbbells 28 and 29 changes, the counteracting forces which must be generated by a muscle group, or single muscle, that is engaged in holding dumbbell 28 and/or 29 change. A further effect of such muscular destabilization produced by apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 is that the portions of a muscle or muscle group that are engaged in manipulating an apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 can, during manipulation of the apparatus, change. Another effect of such muscular destabilization produced by apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 is that the amount of counteracting or controlling force generated by a muscle or muscle group engaged in manipulating an apparatus 10, 10A, 28, 29 can, during manipulation of the apparatus, change.

As used herein, an individual 30 maintains control of an apparatus 10 as long as at least some of his muscles are being used to move apparatus along a desired path simultaneously with the position of a ball(s) 17 in apparatus changing, i.e., simultaneously with a ball 17 rolling or otherwise moving in apparatus 10. For example, the individual 30 in FIG. 8 maintains control because he utilizes his muscles to maintain apparatus 10A in a generally horizontal orientation and because he utilizes his muscles to oscillate apparatus 10A back and forth along a desired path in the directions of arrows G and H. The individual in FIG. 10 maintains control when he holds dumbbells 28 and 29 in the general horizontal orientation shown while rocking or tilting dumbbells 28 and 29 along a desired path to cause balls 17 to roll along handles 38 and 35.

The oscillating exercises, or any other desired exercises, described above with respect to FIGS. 8 to 11 can also, as part of proprioception training, be performed when individual has his or her eyes closed and is standing in one spot or is walking.

In what may at first blush seem like a contradiction, the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus 10, 10A of the invention functions to destabilize muscles in order to improve the ability of the muscles to perform their intended functions when the apparatus 10, 10A is not being utilized.

One advantage of the contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus 10, 10A of the invention is that it more accurately replicates what the body of an individual 30 does during a sport or physical activity because the apparatus 10, 10A engages simultaneously multiple muscle groups to counterbalance apparatus 10, 10A while apparatus 10, 10A is manipulated to move ball 17 in apparatus 10, 10A.

FIGS. 12 to 16 illustrate exercise apparatus constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention generally indicated by reference character 10B. In the exploded perspective view of FIG. 12, apparatus 10B includes end caps 40 and 47, springs 41 and 46, hollow cylindrical housing 44 with internally threaded ends shaped and dimensioned to rotatably receive the externally threaded ends of caps 40 and 47, spring end caps 42 and 45, ball 43, connector 48, connector 49, rod 50, grip 51, rod 52, grip 53, rod 54, and grip 55. FIGS. 13, 15, 16 illustrate the apparatus 10B assembled.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the assembled apparatus 10B of FIG. 3. In operation of apparatus 10B, ball 43 is generally continually positioned between and in contact with spring end caps 42 and 45. This is in contrast to the apparatus 10 and 10A. In apparatus 10 and 10A, the ball 17 rolls back and forth between rebound members 14 18; when ball 17 is in contact with one rebound member 14 it is out of contact with the other rebound member 18.

When, during operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 12 to 16, one spring 41 is compressed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 14, the other spring 46 is extended such that the end cap 45 associated with spring 46 remains in contact with ball 43. Even though ball 43 moves back and forth along the interior of hollow housing 44, ball 43 is constantly captured between and in simultaneous contact with caps 42 and 45. Regardless of the position of ball(s) 43 in housing 44, springs 41 and 46 preferably are continuously tensioned and continuously press caps 42 and 45 against ball 43. Tilting apparatus 10B from the horizontal increases the force acting on one of springs 41 and 46 and tends to compress such spring while permitting the other opposing spring to expand. In FIG. 14, apparatus 10B has been tilted from a horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation depicted in FIG. 14 and, as a result, spring 41 is compressed and spring 48 has expanded.

As noted, the shape and dimension of apparatus 10, 10A, 10B can be varied as desired. In one alternate embodiment of the invention, the length of apparatus 10 approximates that of a conventional barbell such that “cookies” or flat, cylindrically shaped weights can be mounted on the ends of apparatus 10 and apparatus 10 placed on an individual's shoulder and used to perform squats. Or, such a “barbell” embodiment of the invention can be utilized to performed a clean and press or other exercises conducted with a barbell. In a further embodiment of the invention, the length of apparatus 10 approximates that of a conventional barbell; however, weights or “cookies” are not mounted on either end of such a “barbell” apparatus 10, and apparatus 10 is utilized without such weights. The length of a “barbell” apparatus can be varied as desired. Similarly, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the dumbbells 28 and 29 can be utilized without mounting weights 37, 39, 34, 36 on the ends of handles 35, 38.

In use of the apparatus 10, apparatus 10 can, as earlier described, be tilted to permit ball 17 to roll from end to the other end. In another embodiment of the invention, apparatus is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation while apparatus 10 is moved back and forth in alternating opposing directions in the manner indicated in FIG. 5 by arrows E and F in FIG. 5.

The dumbbell apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11 can be utilized to perform any conventional dumbbell exercise or to perform any other desired exercise. Similarly, the “barbell” apparatus described above can be utilized to perform any conventional dumbbell exercise or to perform any other desired exercise.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, various structures and embodiments of the invention set forth herein can be readily combined to form alternate embodiments of the invention. For example, the ball 43—spring 41, 46 arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 12, 14 can be utilized the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 in place of the ball 17—rebound member 14, 18 arrangement earlier described. Further, any combination set forth in an originally filed independent claim or dependent claim can, at a minimum, considered to be a separate invention. The fact that portions of the independent claim or dependent claim (in combination with its associated independent or dependent claims) may be shown in separate drawings does not alter the fact that such originally filed independent claim or dependent claim (in combination with its associated independent or dependent claims) can be considered to be a separate invention. For example, one drawing may show an animal toy with a squeaker. A separate drawing may show an animal toy with a rope used to throw a toy. There is no drawing showing an animal toy with both a squeaker and a rope. If an originally filed independent claim (or independent claim setting forth the squeaker and associated dependent claim setting forth the rope) sets forth the combination of an animal toy with a squeaker and a rope such combination is considered a separate invention even though there is not a separate drawing showing the combination of an animal toy with a rope and a squeaker, or even though there is not a separate description in the specification of such combination. Originally filed independent and dependent claims comprise part of the original disclosure in the application. Further, if a drawing or the disclosure specifically shows or describes the combination of a rope and a squeaker and an originally filed claim only sets forth a rope and not the squeaker, then amending the claim during prosecution of the application to include a squeaker simply narrows the species of the invention set forth in the claim and does not produce a new species.

Claims

1. A method to exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual, comprising the steps of

(a) providing a contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus comprising (i) an elongate housing having a first end, a second end, a first closure at said first end, a second closure at said second end, at least a first resilient rebound member mounted at one of said first and second ends, a traversible hollow space in said housing extending between said first end and said second end, a ball mounted in said traversible hollow space to traverse under the force of gravity from one of said ends toward said resilient rebound member when said housing is canted away from the horizontal, contact and rebound from said resilient rebound member, and alter the center of gravity of said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when said ball traverses said hollow space;

(b) grasping said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus with at least one hand;

(c) holding said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above the ground;

(d) engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manually tilting said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such that said ball moves from one end toward said resilient rebound member and contacts and rebounds from said resilient rebound member.

2. A method to exercise the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia of an individual, comprising the steps of

(a) providing a contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus comprising (i) an elongate hollow housing having a first end, a second end, a first closure at said first end, a second closure at said second end, at least a first resilient rebound member mounted at one of said first and second ends, an inner space in said housing extending between said first end and said second end, a ball mounted in said inner space to traverse said space under the force of gravity from one of said ends toward the other of said ends when said housing is canted away from the horizontal, compress said first resilient rebound member, and alter the center of gravity of said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus when said ball traverses said inner space;

(b) grasping said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus with at least one hand;

(c) holding said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus above the ground;

(d) engaging the muscles acting on the thoracolumbar fascia by manually tilting said contra-equipoise muscle destabilizing apparatus such that said ball moves from one end toward the other of said ends and compresses said first resilient rebound member.