Bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment

• US 9,327,156 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• 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
• Application Number:
  US14/217,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1-148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00189 using resistance provided by plastic deformable materials, e.g. lead bars or kneadable masses resilient force-resistors made of material having high internal friction A63B21/028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0054 for charging a battery
• 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 21/018 including a rope or other flexible element moving relative to the surface of elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 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 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 : Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• 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 23/0482 : primarily by articulating the hip joints A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is a muscle toning garment with detachable, interchangeable resistance elements. The garment provides resistance training throughout an angular range of motion. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath conventional clothing. Toning 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 bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment, comprising:

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

a second attachment structure, for attachment with respect to a second region of a human 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 human body, throughout a range of motion, but imparts no directional bias in the absence of motion between the first and second regions of the human body; and

wherein the resistance to movement is maintained within a range between a minimum of at least about 0.5 foot pounds and a maximum which is less than about 3 times the minimum.

2. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure comprises a structure for attachment to a leg above a knee.

3. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure comprises a structure for attachment at a waist.

4. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the resistance element comprises a pivotable resistance element.

5. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure and the second attachment structure comprise first and second regions of a garment.

6. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 5, wherein the garment extends at least from a waist to below a knee.

7. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment extends at least from a waist to a calf.

8. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 6, 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.

9. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the resistance element is removably carried by the bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment.

10. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of sleeves for receiving resistance elements.

11. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning 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.

12. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a compression fabric.

13. A bidirectional, neutral bias toning garment as in claim 12, wherein the fabric comprises a polyester elastane fabric with moisture wicking properties.

14. A bidirectional toning garment as in claim 9, wherein the garment comprises a compression fabric.

15. A bidirectional toning garment as in claim 14, wherein the fabric comprises a polyester elastane fabric with moisture wicking properties.

16. A bidirectional toning garment as in claim 14, wherein the left and right resistance elements each impose a resistance of at least about 0.5 foot pounds.

17. A bidirectional toning garment as in claim 16, wherein the left and right resistance elements each impose a resistance of at least about 1 foot pound.

18. A bidirectional toning garment as in claim 1, wherein the maximum is less than about 2 times the minimum.