Low profile passive exercise garment

• US 8,986,177 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2010
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, LLC
• Inventors: von Hoffmann, Kaitlin, von Hoffmann, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/951,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20110111932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 482121-126, 482/69, 602/19, 2 6/9, 210/2, 242/5
• US Class Current: 482/124
• 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 21/0557 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 21/4039 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 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance

Abstract

Disclosed is a muscle specific exercise device. The device may provide passive or active 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, passive exercise garment comprising:

a first attachment structure, for attachment with respect to a first region of a body;

a second attachment structure, for attachment with respect to a second region of a body which is movable throughout an angular range with respect to the first region;

a resistance element between the first and second attachment structures;

wherein the resistance element imparts bidirectional resistance in response to movement between the first and second regions of a body, throughout a range of motion, but imparts no directional bias in the absence of motion between the first and second regions of the body.

2. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure comprises a structure for attachment to a leg above a knee.

3. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure comprises a structure for attachment at a waist.

4. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the resistance element comprises a malleable material.

5. A passive exercise garment as in claim 4, wherein the material comprises copper.

6. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the resistance element comprises a pivotable resistance element.

7. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure comprise first and second regions of a garment.

8. A passive exercise garment as in claim 7, wherein the garment extends at least from a waist to below a knee.

9. A passive exercise garment as in claim 8, wherein the garment extends at least from a waist to a calf.

10. A passive exercise garment as in claim 9, wherein the garment imposes a first level of resistance to movement across a hip and a second level of resistance across a knee, and the first level is greater than the second level.

11. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the resistance element is removably carried by the garment.

12. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of sleeves for receiving resistance elements.

13. A passive exercise garment as in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a left leg having a left resistance element and a right leg having a right resistance element.