Therapeutic stick and method of use

• US 9,675,837 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2016
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Smith
• Original Assignee: Daniel Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Andrew S
• Application Number:
  US15/335,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20170120100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 229 Days
• Field of Search: 482110, 482126, 482139, D21679
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1253 driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1261 combined with active exercising of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like , e.g. for swinging exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1618 on a door or a door frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/169 for anchoring on or against a wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/05 : with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/685 : for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0205 : Abdomen
• 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 23/025 : for the head or the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 : for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 : for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/16 : for hands or fingers for teaching typing G09B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 : for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 : for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf

Abstract

An apparatus for improving flexibility and its method of use are provided. The apparatus features a flexible member, which can have varying degrees of stiffness and flexibility, based on user preference. Further, the apparatus features a first and second auxiliary grip, as well as a first and second primary grip. In conjunction, these grips provide a vast multitude of ways to grip the apparatus, enabling it to be used in a wide variety of stretches and exercises, promoting strength as well as joint mobility and flexibility.

Claims

1. A therapeutic stick, comprising:

a linear, flexible member having a length, a diameter, a first end and a second end,

wherein said linear, flexible member is enveloped by padding;

a first auxiliary grip, disposed proximate to said first end;

a second auxiliary grip, disposed proximate to said second end;

a first primary grip, disposed on said first end; and

a second primary grip;

disposed on said second end;

wherein the first primary grip and the second primary grip are spherical grips with a wedge portion removed from each of the first primary grip and the second primary grip.

2. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said first primary grip or said second primary grip are removably attached to said linear, flexible member.

3. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said first primary grip and/or said second primary grip have a 3″

diameter, and at least 25% of their area removed.

4. The therapeutic stick of claim 3, wherein said first primary grip and/or said second primary grip are adapted to conform to a given user'"'"'s hand.

5. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism configured to couple a mobile phone to said therapeutic stick.

6. The therapeutic stick of claim 5, further comprising a mobile phone attached to said mechanism,

wherein said mobile phone contains instructions about how to use said therapeutic stick.

7. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said first primary grip and said second primary grip are rotatably attached to said linear, flexible member.

8. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said linear, flexible member includes material selected from the group consisting of:

aluminum, PVA, PVC, fiber glass, carbon fiber, brass, and wood.

9. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said length is substantially 80% of a user'"'"'s wingspan.

10. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said padding is disposed with at least one indicator,

wherein said at least one indicator corresponds to a particular level of resistance.

11. The therapeutic stick of claim 1, wherein said first auxiliary handle and said second auxiliary handle are substantially enveloped by a rubber sleeve.

12. A method of regaining flexibility, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a therapeutic stick, comprising;

a linear, flexible member, having a length, a diameter, a first end and a second end,

a first auxiliary grip, disposed proximate to said first end,

a second auxiliary grip, disposed proximate to said second end,

a first primary grip, disposed on said first end,

a second primary grip, disposed on said second end; and

wherein the first primary grip and the second primary grip are spherical grips with a wedge portion removed from each of the first primary trip and the second primary grip;

b. selecting a muscle or group of muscles to be stretched;

c. determining at least one exercise to be performed with said therapeutic stick; and

d. performing said at least one exercise for a predetermined amount of time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises pectoral, trapezius, rhomboid, rotator cuff, or deltoids, and said at least one exercise is selected from the group consisting of:

forward stroke and backwards stroke.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises lower back, hamstring group, or gluteus group and said at least one exercise is supported forward bend.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises arm muscles and said at least one exercise is side arm extensions with rotation.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises trapezius, tricep, rhomboid, obliques, lats, or teres major and said at least one exercise is upper arm extension with side bend.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises abductor, tranversus abdominus, motifidi, obliques, quads, hip flexor, hamstrings, or gluteus maximus and said at least one exercise is selected from the group consisting of:

front kick, side kick, and rear kick.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises rectus abdominus, obliques, or pectorals and said at least one exercise is shoulder-mounted back bend.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises rotator cuff, pectorals, or biceps and said at least one exercise is selected rotator flex.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises hip abductor, gluteas maximus, hip flexor, hip rotator, and core stabilizers and said at least one exercise is leg circles.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises gastrocnemius, soleus, tibealus posterior, or peronials, and said at least one exercise is heel raises.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises Tibealus anterior, gastrocnemius, or soleus, and said at least one exercise is toe raises.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein said group of muscles comprises Thoracic spine, hips, or glutes, and said at least one exercise is kneeling truck twists.

24. The method of claim 12, wherein said therapeutic stick acts as an acupressure point activator for pain relief and induces increased blood flow.

25. The method of claim 12 wherein said method may be performed in regular or zero gravity environments.

26. The method of claim 12 wherein the therapeutic stick can be used to engage muscles, causing variable macro and micro muscle contraction and relaxation by using variable resistance and angles.

27. The method of claim 12 wherein the therapeutic stick is used to massage targeted areas to encourage healing blood flow to flow to the targeted areas.