NEUTRAL BIAS RESISTANCE DEVICE

• US 20140179497A1
• Filed: 02/27/2014
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, LLC
• Inventors: von Hoffmann, Gerard, von Hoffmann, Kaitlin
• Application Number:
  US14/192,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20140179497A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/124
• 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 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• 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 2208/14 specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• 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 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• 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 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

Disclosed is a neutral bias, dynamic constant resistance exercise device. The device provides resistance training throughout an angular range of motion. The device may be low profile, and worn by a wearer, such as beneath conventional clothing. Exercise of selective joints or motion of the body 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.

Claims

1. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device, comprising:

a waist band, for attachment around the waist of a wearer;

a left leg and right leg superior leg attachment structures, for attachment to a leg of the wearer in between the waist band and the wearer'"'"'s knee;

a left leg and right leg inferior leg attachment structures, for attachment to the leg of the wearer below the knee; and

at least one left leg resistance panel and at least one right leg resistance panel extending between the waist band and corresponding inferior leg attachment structures;

wherein the resistance panel imparts bidirectional resistance to movement throughout a range of motion.

2. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein each of the superior leg attachment structures comprises a band for wrapping around the leg above the knee.

3. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein each of the inferior leg attachment structures comprises a band for wrapping around the leg below the knee.

4. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein the resistance panel comprises a malleable material.

5. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 4, wherein the material comprises copper.

6. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 4, wherein the resistance panel comprises a plurality of malleable strands, extending in an inferior—

superior direction in an as worn orientation.

7. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 6, wherein the plurality of malleable strands are woven into a fabric.

8. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 4, wherein the sum of the areas of all of the strands, taken in a transverse cross section through the strands in between the waist and the superior leg attachments is within the range of from about 0.020 and about 0.060 square inches per inch of the resistance panel measured in a circumferential direction around the leg for each leg.

9. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein the resistance panel comprises a pivotable resistance element.

10. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein the superior attachment structures and the inferior attachment structures comprise first and second regions of a garment.

11. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein the resistance device imposes a first level of resistance to movement across the hip and a second level of resistance across the knee, and the first level is greater than the second level.

12. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein each of a left and right resistance panels imposes a resistance to movement of at least about 10 foot pounds in between the waist and the superior attachment structure.

13. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 1, wherein the device imposes a resistance to movement at the hip of at least about 10 foot pounds, and resistance to movement at the knee of at least about 5 foot pounds, for each of the right and left legs.

14. A low profile, wearable dynamic resistance device as in claim 6, wherein the strands have an average cross sectional diameter of at least about 0.020 inches.