Biomechanical stabilizer apparatus and methods for strengthening unstable joints and improving muscle coordination

• US 5,674,162 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David W. Bernardi, France E. Paul, Petersen, Roger, Richard L. Ellingson, Smith, Leonard C.
• Original Assignee: David W. Bernardi, France E. Paul, Petersen, Roger, Richard L. Ellingson, Smith, Leonard C.
• Inventors: Petersen, Roger, Smith, Leonard C., France, E. Paul, Ellingson, Richard L., Bernardi, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RISLEY, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/487,487
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 446/170, 482/1, 482/3, 482/8, 482/44-46, 482/49, 482/110, 482/50, 482/93, 482/98, 482/104, 482/106, 482/108-109
• US Class Current: 482/110
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0608 Eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user
• 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 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence

Abstract

A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus and methods for strengthening unstable joints and improving muscle coordination is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as comprising a tubing assembly incorporating a substantially circular member and an elongated handle member. In current design, the handle member extends substantially transverse dimensionally across the internal diameter of the circular member and is operably connected thereto. Preferably, the circular member is formed having an internal channel comprising two or more free moving bodies disposed therein. Similarly, the handle member is formed having an internal chamber wherein at least one free moving body is operably disposed. Preferably engaging the handle member is a timer unit for programming time durations and providing means for visual and/or audio feedback to the user when the programming parameters of the present invention are satisfied. In operation, the present invention provides orbital oscillatory exercise movements by initiating the orbital rotation of the free moving bodies disposed within the internal channel. Alternatively, the present invention facilitates linear oscillatory exercise by initiating the linear rotation of the free moving body disposed within the internal chamber of the handle member thereby providing strength to agonist-antagonist muscles or muscle groups.

Claims

1. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus for strengthening unstable joints and improving muscle coordination, comprising:

a substantially circular member including an outer periphery and an internal channel, said internal channel having an internal diameter slightly smaller than said outer periphery of said circular member;

a handle member operably connected to said circular member, said handle member comprising an outer periphery having a diameter sufficient to facilitate gripping, said handle member including an internal chamber, said internal chamber having an internal diameter slightly smaller than said outer periphery of said handle member;

at least two free moving bodies disposed within said internal channel of said circular member, said free moving bodies having a diameter less than said internal diameter of the internal channel and adapted to move within said internal channel without obstruction; and

at least one free moving body disposed within said internal chamber of said handle member, said free moving body having a diameter less than said internal diameter of the internal chamber and adapted to move within said internal chamber without obstruction.

2. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a timer unit engaging said circular member.

3. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said timer unit is programmable.

4. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said timer unit may be operably attached to said handle member.

5. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a support assembly for structurally supporting said circular member, said support assembly engaging said circular member perpendicular to said handle member.

6. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer periphery of said circular member comprises a diameter sufficient to facilitate gripping.

7. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said internal channel of said circular member is uniformly sealed.

8. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said circular member is formed of a substantially transparent material.

9. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle member is substantially elongated.

10. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle member extends substantially transverse said circular member.

11. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle member is formed of a substantially transparent material.

12. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said internal chamber of said handle member is uniformly sealed.

13. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer periphery of said handle member comprises a resilient material.

14. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said free moving body disposed within said internal channel of said circular member is substantially spherical in shape.

15. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said free moving body disposed within said internal chamber of said handle member is substantially spherical in shape.

16. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus for strengthening unstable joints and improving muscle coordination, comprising:

a substantially circular member including an outer periphery having a diameter to facilitate gripping and a sealed internal channel, said internal channel having an internal diameter slightly smaller than said outer periphery of the circular member;

a handle member extending transverse said circular member and operably connected thereto, said handle member comprising an outer periphery having a diameter sufficient to facilitate gripping, said handle member further including a sealed internal chamber, said internal chamber having an internal diameter slightly smaller than said outer periphery of said handle member;

at least two free moving bodies disposed within said internal channel of said circular member, said free moving bodies having a diameter less than said internal diameter of the internal channel of the circular member and adapted to freely move within said internal channel without obstruction;

at least one free moving body disposed within said internal chamber of said handle member, said free moving body having a diameter less than said internal diameter of the internal chamber of the handle member and adapted to freely move within said internal chamber without obstruction; and

a timer disposed in relation to said circular member.

17. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 further comprising a support assembly for structurally supporting said circular member, said support assembly engaging said circular member perpendicular to said handle member.

18. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said support assembly comprises a first support member, a second support member and an engagement member formed therebetween.

19. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said timer is programmable.

20. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said timer may be operably coupled to said handle member.

21. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said circular member is formed of a substantially transparent material.

22. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said handle member is formed of a substantially transparent material.

23. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said free moving body disposed within said internal channel of said circular member is substantially spherical in shape.

24. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said free moving body disposed within said internal chamber of said handle member is substantially spherical in shape.

25. A biomechanical stabilizer apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said outer periphery of said handle member comprises a resilient material.