Physical therapy device

• US 4,606,539 A
• Filed: 12/06/1983
• Issued: 08/19/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard D. Farnham
• Original Assignee: Richard D. Farnham
• Inventors: Farnham, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/558,482
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 272/135, 272/136, 272/137, 272/144, 272/139, 272/900, 272/140, 272/126, 272/127, 272/62, 272/63, 272/138, 272/145, 272/120, 272/121, 272/125, 272/93, 128/25 R, 128/57, 128/24 R, 128/24.2, 128/24.3, 128/134, D24/36
• US Class Current: 482/148
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement

Abstract

A physical therapy device for increasing lumbar spine extension range of motion, comprising a cylindrical rod for elastic material capable of repeated flexing without taking a set or deformation, and having its central patient-contacting portion covered by a cylinder of padding material. The roller thus formed is tethered to a treatment surface by a pair of straps or belts, each having one end attached to the treatment surface and the other attached by means of a snap ring and swivel to a ring carried by a collar on the extremities of the rod. The collars can be moved along the rod and secured where desired, to alter the force potential effective through varying the lever arm, and thus the amount the rod will flex. The ring is located in a portion of the collar having a reduced diameter and is free to rotate with respect to the collar and hence the roller.

Claims

1. A physical therapy device, comprising, in combination:

a roller, having a length with two end portions and a central portion therebetween, the roller comprising a cylindrical rod of elastic material and a cylindrical layer of padding surrounding the central portion of said rod;

tethering means attaching said roller to a treatment surface, and attachment means rotatably attaching said tethering means to said rod at a selected location on each end portion along the length of said rod such that the rod may rotate relative to the tethering means.

2. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 1, in which said rod is made of acetal resin.

3. A physical therapy device comprising, in combination:

a roller, having a length with two end portions and a central portion therebetween, the roller comprising a cylindrical rod of elastic material and a cylindrical layer of padding surrounding the central portion of said rod;

tethering means attaching said roller to a treatment surface, and attachment means rotatably attaching said tethering means to said rod at a selected location on each end portion along the length of said rod such that the rod may rotate relative to the tethering means, the attachment means comprising a movable collar on each end portion of said rod, each of said collars having clamping means integral therewith for securing the collars at a selected location on each end portion of said rod.

4. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 3, in which the collars are provided with set screws for fixing their location on the rod.

5. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 3, in which the collars are split collars with integral tightening screws for fixing the location of the collars on the rod.

6. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 3, in which each of the collars is provided with a central section having a smaller diameter than the end sections of the collars, and a ring disposed on said central section, said ring having a diameter larger than the diameter of the central section of said collar and smaller than the diameter of the end section of said collar, whereby the ring fits loosely on said central section of said collar, but cannot slip off the end portions of said collar.

7. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 6, in which the tethering means comprises two flat straps of webbing material, one for each end of said rod, each of said straps having means at one end thereof for attaching the end of the strap to a treatment surface, and having means at the other end for detachably connecting said ring to said strap.

8. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 7, in which the means for detachably connecting said ring to said strap comprises a snap hook and swivel combination.

9. A physical therapy device as claimed in claim 7, in which there is provided for each of the straps, buckle means for altering the length of said straps.

10. The physical therapy device of claim 3 in which the rod is made of acetal resin.