Limb muscle exercising

• US 4,606,542 A
• Filed: 10/30/1984
• Issued: 08/19/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Segal, David
• Original Assignee: Segal, David
• Inventors: Segal, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prizant, James
• Application Number:
  US06/666,489
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 128/25 R, 128/26, 128/80 B, 272/130, 272/119, 272/139, 272/126, 272/121, 272/120, 272/137, 272/142
• US Class Current: 482/124
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0179 with spring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0125 the device articulating around a single pivot-point
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• 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 21/4011 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence

Abstract

A limb exerciser, such as for a leg, includes a brace hinged at the middle with upper padded members for snugly engaging the upper portion of a limb and lower padded members for snugly engaging the lower portion of a limb. Elastic hook-and-loop fasteners surround the members and the limb to firmly secure the members to the limb. A U-shaped portion extends above the center of the hinge and carries fulcrum assemblies on each leg of the U over which a resilient member rides. The ends of the resilient member are attached to upper studs at the far ends of the upper and lower assemblies. A second pair of resilient members may be connected between lower studs at the far end of each support assembly.

Claims

1. Limb exerising apparatus comprising,

upper means for snugly engaging the upper portion of a limb,

lower means for snugly engaging the lower portion of a limb seprated from the limb upper portion by a joint pivotable about a joint axis,

means for hingeably attaching said upper means to said lower means about a hinge axis substantially coinciding with said joint axis,

and resilient elastomeric means in tension connected between said upper means and said lower means for exerting a torque about the axis of said means for hingeably attaching against which limb muscles may work when the upper portion of a limb is secured to said upper means and the lower portion of said limb is secured to said lower means and said limb is extended and contracted about said joint and for allowing movement against said tension between said upper and lower portions while exercising said limb.

2. Limb exercising apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising,

fulcrum means above said hinge axis for receiving an elastic member comprising said resilient means,

said elastic member being connected between said upper means and said lower means and extended over said fulcrum means.

3. Limb exercising apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper means and said lower means have studs means to which the ends of said resilient member are attached.

4. Limb exercising apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said stud means comprise upper and lower stud means,

said lower stud means being for receiving a resilient member comprising said resilient means so that extending said limb stretches the latter resilient member.

5. Limb exercising apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said upper and lower limb portions form an acute angle with vertex on said joint axis when said limb is contracted embracing the inside of said joint and further comprising,

fulcrum means outside said acute angle for receiving an elastic member comprising said resilient means for providing a tensile force tending to move said limb to the extended position while allowing said limb to move toward the contracted position while exercising said limb by moving said limb portions about said joint axis in a sector embraced by said acute angle.

6. Limb exercising apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fulcrum means comprises a member of adjustable width for accommodating limbs within a substantial range of widths.