Low friction rehabilitation board with an integral band retaining feature and methods of rehabilitation

• US 10,010,739 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2017
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P.T. Rom And Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: P.T. Rom And Associates LLC
• Inventors: Chapman, Randall F., Rosman, Daniel L., Chapman, Frank M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fischer, Rae
• Application Number:
  US15/672,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20170368400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 482142-147, 482129
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0094 for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/027 using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0633 without electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• 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 21/0414 with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0555 Details of the rope or band, e.g. shape or colour coding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/16 Supports for anchoring force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4013 to the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4021 to the wrist
• 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 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 : For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 : A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• 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 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

A low friction rehabilitation board having an integral band retaining feature is described. The rehabilitation board may have a coefficient of static friction of no more than about 0.5 and in some embodiments no more than about 0.06. The rehabilitation board has a plurality of band retaining feature configured along one or both ends and may be an integral band retaining features being formed in the board. Additionally, the rehabilitation may include one or more band retaining features on one or both sides of the board. The unique configuration of the band retaining features enables rehabilitation method heretofore not possible with a single board. Resistance bands may be retained in the band retaining features and coupled to a user'"'"'s limb, such as a foot or ankle, to resist motion, such as sliding or extending the foot along the low friction surface of the rehabilitation board.

Claims

1. A portable rehabilitation board system comprising:

a rehabilitation board consisting essentially of polymer comprising;

a length of no more than 1.5 m from a first end to a second end;

a width from a first side to a second side;

wherein the rehabilitation board is substantially rectangular in shape having four corners;

a thickness;

a top working surface of the rehabilitation board having a static coefficient of friction with itself of no more than about 0.25 according to ASTM 1894;

wherein the static coefficient of friction is effectively low enable a user'"'"'s limb to slide easily across the working surface;

a non-slip material configured on a bottom surface, opposite the working surface, of the rehabilitation board;

a first-end integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in a length direction from the first end of the rehabilitation board; and

a second-end integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in said length direction from the second end of the rehabilitation board,

wherein the nodules of the first-end and second-end integral bands each have an enlarged extended end;

a band plug retainer configured proximal an edge of the rehabilitation board and comprising a tapered aperture through the thickness of the rehabilitation board from a larger bottom surface opening, on the bottom surface of the rehabilitation board, to a smaller working surface opening, on the working surface of the rehabilitation board,

wherein the band plug retainer is configured to retain a tapered band-plug to the rehabilitation board; and

wherein the rehabilitation board is portable having a size such that it may be easily carried by a single individual.

2. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, further comprising a resistance band that is coupled to the nodule of the first integral band retainer feature.

3. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 2, wherein the resistance band is looped around the nodule to retain the resistance band to the nodule.

4. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1 further comprising a resistance band assembly comprising:

an elastomeric resistance band having a length from a fixed end to an extended end;

wherein the fixed end of the resistance band comprises a tapered band-plug having an enlarged plug dimension at a plug-end that tapers to a smaller dimension at a band-end of the tapered band-plug; and

wherein the tapered band-plug is retained in the band plug retainer with the band end proximal the working surface and the resistance band extending from the tapered plug toward the working surface of the rehabilitation board.

5. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 4, wherein a slot extends in from the first end of the rehabilitation board along the nodule of the first-end integral band retaining feature to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first-end integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

6. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 4, wherein the first-end integral band retaining feature comprises two nodules and a band plug retainer configured between the two nodules, wherein a slot extends in between the two nodule of the first-end integral band retaining feature, from the first end of the rehabilitation, to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

7. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first-side integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in a width direction from the first side of the rehabilitation board; and

a second-side integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in said width direction from the second side of the rehabilitation board;

wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature and the second side integral band retaining feature are configured across the width of the rehabilitation board from each other.

8. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 7, wherein the first-side and second-side integral band retaining features are configured no more than a third of the length of the rehabilitation board from the first end of the rehabilitation board.

9. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 7, further comprising a resistance band assembly comprising:

an elastomeric resistance band having a length from a fixed end to an extended end;

wherein the fixed end of the resistance band comprises a tapered band-plug having an enlarged plug dimension at a plug-end that tapers to a smaller dimension at a band-end of the tapered band-plug; and

wherein the tapered band-plug is retained in the band plug retainer with the band end proximal the working surface and the resistance band extending from the tapered plug toward the working surface of the rehabilitation board.

10. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 9, wherein a slot extends in from the first side of the rehabilitation board along the nodule to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

11. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 9, wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature comprises two nodules and a band plug retainer configured between the two nodules, wherein a slot extends in between the two nodule of the first-side integral band retaining feature, from the first side of the rehabilitation, to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

12. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the length of the rehabilitation board is at least 1.3 times greater than the width.

13. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, comprising a peg opening.

14. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 13, wherein the peg opening is a band plug retainer comprising a tapered aperture through the thickness of the rehabilitation board having a larger bottom surface opening along the bottom surface of the rehabilitation board that reduces in dimension as the tapered aperture extends through thickness of the rehabilitation board to a smaller working surface opening.

15. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 14, comprising four peg openings configured proximal to the four corners of the rehabilitation board and offset from an edge of the board.

16. A portable rehabilitation board system comprising:

a rehabilitation board comprising;

a length of no more than 1.5 m from a first end to a second end;

a width from a first side to a second side;

a thickness;

a top working surface of the rehabilitation board having a static coefficient of friction with itself of no more than about 0.25 according to ASTM 1894;

wherein the static coefficient of friction is effectively low to enable a users limb to slide easily across the working surface;

a non-slip material configured on a bottom surface, opposite the working surface, of the rehabilitation board;

a first-end integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in a length direction from the first end of the rehabilitation board; and

a second-end integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in said length direction from the second end of the rehabilitation board,

wherein the nodule of the first-end and second-end integral band retaining features has an enlarged extended end;

a first-side integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in a width direction from the first side of the rehabilitation board; and

a second-side integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in said width direction from the second side of the rehabilitation board;

wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature and the second side integral band retaining feature are configured across from each other along the length of the rehabilitation board;

a band plug retainer configured proximal an edge of the rehabilitation board and comprising a tapered aperture through the thickness of the rehabilitation board from a larger bottom surface opening, on the bottom surface of the rehabilitation board, to a smaller working surface opening, on the working surface of the rehabilitation board,

wherein the band plug retainer is configured to retain a tapered band-plug to the rehabilitation board; and

wherein the rehabilitation board is portable having a size such that it may be easily carried by a single individual

a resistance band that is coupled to the nodule of the first integral band retainer feature.

17. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 16, wherein the resistance band is looped around the nodule to retain the resistance band to the nodule.

18. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 16, wherein the first-side and second-side integral band retaining features are configured no more than a third of the length of the rehabilitation board from the first end of the rehabilitation board.

19. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 16, further comprising a resistance band assembly comprising:

an elastomeric resistance band having a length from a fixed end to an extended end;

wherein the fixed end of the resistance band comprises a tapered band-plug having an enlarged plug dimension at a plug-end that tapers to a smaller dimension at a band-end of the tapered band-plug; and

wherein the tapered band-plug is retained in the band plug retainer with the band end proximal the working surface and the resistance band extending from the tapered plug toward the working surface of the rehabilitation board.

20. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 19, wherein a slot extends in from the first end of the rehabilitation board along the nodule of the first-end integral band retaining feature to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first-end integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

21. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 19, wherein the first-end integral band retaining feature comprises two nodules and a band plug retainer configured between the two nodules, wherein a slot extends in between the two nodule of the first-end integral band retaining feature, from the first end of the rehabilitation, to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

22. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 19, wherein a slot extends in from the first side of the rehabilitation board along the nodule to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.

23. The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 19, wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature comprises two nodules and a band plug retainer configured between the two nodules, wherein a slot extends in between the two nodule of the first-side integral band retaining feature, from the first side of the rehabilitation, to the band plug retainer;

and

wherein the first-side integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.