SHOULDER FLEXION APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20110237405A1
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GRAA Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: GRAA Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Reyes, Gil
• Granted Patent: US 8,210,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/94
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1272 Rotation around an axis perpendicular to the frontal body-plane of the user, i.e. moving the arms in the plane of the body, to and from the sides of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

A shoulder flexion apparatus tones and strengthens the shoulder muscles, including the anterior deltoid muscles. The apparatus may provide a resistance having a downward force vector. The resistance may be applied to a user via a cable guided by one or more pulleys to the user. In one or more embodiments, a guide assembly may be provided to quickly and easily reposition the cable and the force vector of the resistance that the cable provides. The guide assembly thus allows rapid switching between shoulder exercises to tone and strengthen the shoulder muscles. The apparatus may comprise one or more sections corresponding to the left and right side of the user'"'"'s body. In this manner, the sections may independently provide resistance to each of the user'"'"'s shoulders.

Claims

1. A shoulder flexion apparatus comprising:

a first frame and a second frame;

at least one resistance device configured to provide resistance to a user along at least one force vector;

a plurality of guide assemblies supported by the first frame and second frame and configured to guide the resistance to the user from a first position and a second position, wherein the plurality of guide assemblies are movable from the first position to the second position; and

at least one joint between the first frame and the second frame, the joint configured to allow the first frame and second frame to move relative to one another, wherein moving the first frame and second frame repositions the plurality of guide assemblies.

2. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame is configured as a left section of the shoulder flexion apparatus and the second frame is configured as a right section of the shoulder flexion apparatus.

3. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame supports one of the plurality of guide assemblies and the second frame supports another of the plurality of guide assemblies.

4. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cables attached at a first end to the at least one resistance device and at a second end to a handle, wherein the plurality of guide assemblies are configured to guide the plurality of cables to the user from one or more positions.

5. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of guide assemblies are rotatably mounted to the first frame and the second frame.

6. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of guide assemblies comprise one or more pulleys.

7. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one resistance device comprises a weight stack.

8. A shoulder flexion apparatus comprising:

a first guide assembly configured to present a first resistance to a user along at least one first force vector, wherein the first guide assembly is movable to change the at least one first force vector;

a second guide assembly configured to present a second resistance to a user along at least one second force vector, wherein the second guide assembly is movable to change the at least one second force vector;

one or more resistance devices configured to provide the first resistance and the second resistance;

a first support comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the first guide assembly attached to the lower portion of the first support; and

a second support comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the second guide assembly attached to the lower portion of the second support.

9. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more resistance devices comprise a first weight stack and a second weight stack, the first weight stack supported by the first support, the second weight stack supported by the second support.

10. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a first cable and a second cable, the first cable configured to transfer the resistance from one of the one or more resistance devices to a left side of the user, the second cable configured to transfer the resistance from another of the one or more resistance devices to a right side of the user.

11. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first guide assembly and the second guide assembly comprise one or more pulleys, the one or more pulleys configured to guide a plurality of cables to the user, whereby the plurality of cables transfers resistance from the one or more resistance devices to the user via a handle.

12. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first guide assembly is rotatably attached to the first support.

13. The shoulder flexion apparatus of claim 8 further comprising one or more pivots between the first support and the second support, wherein the first support and second support are movable via the one or more pivots.

14-20. -20. (canceled)