SPINAL THERAPY DEVICE

• US 20140200499A1
• Filed: 01/14/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Oakford Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew Oakford Champion
• Inventors: CHAMPION, ANDREW OAKFORD
• Granted Patent: US 9,216,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0292 for the spinal column A61H1/0218 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1253 driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/163 holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1652 Harness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00043 Exercising devices consisting of a pair of user interfaces connected by flexible elements, e.g. two handles connected by elastic bands skipping ropes A63B5/20; resilient elements A63B21/02
• 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 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/15 Arrangements for force transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/152 Bowden-type cables
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1663 for anchoring between a door and the door frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• 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 2208/0252 : supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0261 : using trunk supports resisting forward motion of user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 : moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0222 : moving torso and lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 : Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 : Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/00 : Freely-suspended gymnastic apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a spinal therapy device that can be used by an individual to self-apply overpressure, spinal decompression, spinal joint mobilization or a combination thereof to the spine, as well as methods for using a spinal therapy device to self apply overpressure, spinal decompression, spinal joint mobilization or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A spinal therapy device comprising:

(a) a belt for fastening around a user'"'"'s lumbar region, the belt comprising an adjustable, quick-release buckle for detachably securing the effective ends of the belt together;

(b) a length-adjustable anchor strap slidably coupled to the belt through a loop formed at a first end of the anchor strap and through which the belt is inserted, the anchor strap comprising an anchor member effective to receive a user'"'"'s foot; and

(c) a first and a second resistance member, each of which is slidably coupled to the belt through a flexible loop connector, the resistance members each comprising a handle to facilitate grip.

2. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the belt comprises polypropylene, nylon, polyester or a combination thereof.

3. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the belt is about 1 and ½

inches wide.

4. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the quick-release buckle is a side release buckle.

5. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the anchor strap comprises polypropylene, nylon, polyester or a combination thereof.

6. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the loop formed by the first end of the anchor strap is maintained by securing portion of the anchor strap on one side of the belt to a portion of the strap on the other side of the belt using a slide or fixed threading plate, the loop thereby transversely encircling the belt enabling the anchor strap to hang from the belt.

7. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the anchor member comprises a loop formed by stitching the second end of the anchor strap to a portion of the anchor strap of sufficient distance from the second end so as to form a loop effective to receive a user'"'"'s foot.

8. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the flexible loop connector comprises polypropylene, nylon, polyester, one or more metal, or a combination thereof.

9. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the flexible loop connector comprises an opening through which the belt, a resistance member, or belt and resistance member are inserted.

10. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the flexible loop comprises a first opening through which the belt is inserted and a second opening through which the resistance member is inserted.

11. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the resistance member is a loop formed by tying an end portion of the resistance member to another portion of the resistance member.

12. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the resistance member comprises latex.

13. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the handle of the resistance member comprises foam.

14. The spinal therapy device of claim 1, wherein the resistance member has an effective length of about 8 inches.

15. A spinal therapy device comprising a belt for fastening around a user'"'"'s lumbar region, the belt comprising:

(a) an adjustable, quick-release buckle for fastening the belt around a user'"'"'s lumber region; and

(b) a first and a second flexible loop connector through which the belt is inserted for slidably coupling a first and a second resistance member, respectively, to the belt, wherein each of flexible loop connector enables independent placement of the attached resistance member at select positions around the belt, and wherein the flexible loop connectors are effective to support a load of 50 pounds.

16. The spinal therapy device of claim 15, wherein the flexible loop connector comprises a closed ring through which the resistance member is inserted.

17. The spinal therapy device of claim 15, wherein the flexible loop connector comprises nylon, polyester or polypropylene.

18. The spinal therapy device of claim 15, further comprising two resistance members coupled to the belt through the flexible loop connector.

19. The spinal therapy device of claim 15, wherein the resistance members comprise latex.

20. The spinal therapy device of claim 15, further comprising an anchor strap, the anchor strap comprising a loop through which the belt is inserted thereby enabling the anchor strap to hang from the belt.