Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device

Abstract

A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device which includes a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures of the human body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 065,850 filed on Mar. 3, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 827,361 filed on Jul. 11, 2007 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,774, issued Apr. 5, 2011), and claims the benefit of and priority thereto under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120, 363, 365, and 37 C.F.R. §1.55 and §1.78, incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This subject invention relates to a therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Conventional cylindrical foam rolls are often used for tissue mobilization, improving body core strength and balance training. When used for tissue mobilization, the user typically lies or sits on the cylindrical foam roll and moves back and forth to mobilize target soft tissue. The benefits of soft tissue mobilization include, inter alia, decreased muscle soreness, relief from joint stress, decreased neuromuscular...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is a further object of this invention to provide such a therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device in which one or more of the density and diameter in combination with the shape of the projections may be chosen to effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of the human body.

[0025]In one embodiment, one or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections may effectively optimize body core strength and optimize balance training. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections may effectively break up collagenous fibers of the soft tissue structures. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections may enhance flexibility of the soft tissue structures. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections may enhance distensibility of the soft tissue structures. The predetermined shape of the projections may include a rounded shape, a curved shape, a triangle shape, a square, a notch shape, a cylindrical shape with rounded ends, and cylindrical shape with flat ends. The projections longitudinally may extend over a length of the body. The projections may extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body. The projections may radially extend from the body are at the same angles. The projections may radially extend from the body at different angles. The projections may be configured in a wave pattern. The projections may be configured in a Z pattern. The projections may be configured in a helical pattern. The projections may be individually spaced in a predetermined pattern over the body. The predetermined pattern may include an aligned pattern of a plurality of shaped projections. The predetermined pattern may include an offset pattern of a plurality of shaped projections. The cylindrically shaped body and the projections may be made of a pliable material. The pliable material may include a closed-cell foam material. The closed-cell foam material may include a chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam. The pliable material may include expandable polyethylene. The pliable material may include resin. The number of the projections may be configured to optimize mobilization of the soft tissue structures and / or optimize body core and balance training and / or effectively break up collagenous fibers of the soft tissue structures and / or enhance flexibility of the soft tissue structures and / or enhance distensibility of the soft tissue structures. The device may include a handle extending through the body.

Problems solved by technology

However, the completely cylindrical shape of a conventional foam roll minimizes the effect of tissue mobilization.

Moreover, such a design often results in the user falling off the cylindrically shaped foam roll, which is aggravating and cumbersome.

However, because the user can easily fall off the cylindrical shaped foam roll, the effectiveness of the body core strength and balance training session is often minimized.

However, conventional smaller sized cylindrical foam rolls are typically ineffective at mobilizing the soft tissue of small soft tissue structures because they cannot effectively break up collagenous fibers therein.

However, the rolls and devices disclosed therein are limited to a one diameter, one density, and a one type of shape of the projections and thus fail to effectively mobilize soft tissue structures of the human body.

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