Wearable modular resistance unit

• US 10,004,937 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, LLC
• Inventors: Matsuura, Belinko K., Matsuura, David G., von Hoffmann, Kaitlin, von Hoffmann, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R
• Application Number:
  US14/665,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20150190669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1-148
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/22 Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow exercising apparatus A63B21/00 ; measuring of work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00185 using resistance provided by the user, e.g. exercising one body part against a resistance provided by another body part A63B21/068 takes precedence; isometric exercise A63B21/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00189 using resistance provided by plastic deformable materials, e.g. lead bars or kneadable masses resilient force-resistors made of material having high internal friction A63B21/028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00845 using electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/028 made of material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber, steel wool, intended to be compressed resistance provided by plastic deformable materials A63B21/00189
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 : Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 : Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/16 : Supports for anchoring force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4001 : Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor weights worn on the user's body A63B21/065; exoskeletons in general B25J9/0006, for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about A61H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 : to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 : to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 : Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4039 : contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 : Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 : Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/14 : specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 : with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 : with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 : Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 : Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 : glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/205 : P-CO2, i.e. partial CO2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 : rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 : muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/65 : skin conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/02 : for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 : for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0482 : primarily by articulating the hip joints A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 : Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02

Abstract

Disclosed is a muscle toning garment with resistance elements, which may be fluid filled dampers. The garment provides resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath conventional clothing. Toning may thereby be accomplished throughout the wearer'"'"'s normal daily activities, without the need for access to conventional exercise equipment. Alternatively, the device may be worn as a supplemental training tool during conventional training techniques. Sensors may be provided for sensing any of a variety of biometric parameters and for determining exerted power or calories consumed.

Claims

1. A modular resistance unit for releasable connection to a toning garment, comprising:

a femoral lever having a proximal end and a distal end, a thickness and a width that exceeds a thickness, the lever arm conformable to the leg of a wearer when mounted on the toning garment such that the width faces the leg of a wearer in an as worn orientation;

a resistance unit carried by the proximal end of the lever;

a coupling on the resistance unit, for releasable coupling to a complementary coupling carried by the garment;

configured such that when the femoral lever is secured to the leg of the garment, the coupling on the resistance unit is connected to the complementary coupling on the garment and the garment is worn by a wearer, the modular resistance unit provides resistance to movement at the wearer'"'"'s hip.

2. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises an aperture for receiving a post carried by the garment.

3. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, further comprising a lock for locking the coupling on the resistance unit to the complementary coupling carried by the garment.

4. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, further comprising a sensor to determine force applied against the resistance unit during extension.

5. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, further comprising a sensor to determine force applied against the resistance unit during flexion.

6. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, further comprising a sensor for determining extension angle of the leg.

7. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, further comprising a processor, configured for determining power exerted throughout the range of motion.

8. A modular resistance unit as in claim 7, further comprising a transmitter, for transmitting data to a remote device.

9. A modular resistance unit as in claim 6, further comprising a transmitter, for transmitting angular velocity data to a remote device.

10. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, wherein the resistance unit comprises a rotatable viscous damper.

11. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, wherein the resistance unit is removably connectable to the garment.

12. A modular resistance unit as in claim 4, wherein the force sensor is in force transmitting contact with the femoral lever.

13. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, comprising a processor configured to output an indication of when power output crosses a preset value.

14. A modular resistance unit as in claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to output an indication of when power output has moved above a preset value.

15. A modular resistance unit as in claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to output an indication of when power output has moved below a preset value.

16. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, wherein the resistance unit imposes a resistance of at least about 5 inch pounds.

17. A modular resistance unit as in claim 16, wherein the resistance unit imposes a resistance of at least about 10 inch pounds.

18. A modular resistance unit as in claim 16, wherein the resistance unit imposes a resistance of at least about 15 inch pounds.

19. A modular resistance unit as in claim 9, wherein the transmitter is an ANT+configured transmitter.

20. A modular resistance unit as in claim 9, wherein the transmitter is a Bluetooth configured transmitter.

21. A modular resistance unit as in claim 1, configured to determine incremental power exerted to overcome resistance imposed by the resistance element.