In-field kits and systems for self-directed theraputic pulley-based muscle rehabiliation methods

Abstract

In-field kits and systems for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods. The in-field kit and system comprises ring-shaped fasteners that can be removably coupled to preselected locations on a stationary structure, such as a chain link fence. Pulleys are coupled to the ring-shaped fasteners and an inelastic tether spans the pulleys. The tether has a proximal end portion to which a handle is coupled and a distal end portion to which a weight is coupled. The weight and pulleys provide resistance when a person uses the handle to perform any one of a multiplicity of exercise routines. Use of the invention obviates a need to have a physical therapist present at all times during rehabilitation of an injured user because the invention is a pulley-based system usable at home or at an athletic field.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 623,171 filed Apr. 12, 2012.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention generally relates to exercise apparatus and methods and more particularly relates to in-field kits and systems for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Physical exercise on a regular basis obtains health benefits. For example, regular physical exercise has been shown to decrease the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Regular physical exercise may also reduce stress by releasing brain chemicals, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. In addition, regular physical exercise reduces the likelihood of obesity and the deleterious psychological effects on one's body image due to being overweight.[0004]In addition to the general health benefits of regular physical exercise mentioned hereinabove, regular phys...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In use, the plurality of O-rings is coupled to the fence in the manner provided hereinabove. The user grasps the handle and moves the handle in order to pull on the tether that is coupled to the handle. The pulling action performed by the user places the tether, which spans the plurality of pulleys, in tension in order to lift the weight. The pulleys and the weight provide constant resistance to the user's movements and the resistance provides physical exercise for the user. Thus, each O-ring and pulley is configured to allow the plurality of O-rings and associated pulleys to be located at virtually any location on the fence in order to obtain a particularized exercise routine.

[0017]The invention provides an in-field kit and system for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods that are versatile and convenient to use. In this regard, the in-field kit and system for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods are configured to be quickly deployed on and removed from a stationary structure, such as a chain link fence. There may be a plurality of O-rings and pulleys coupled to the fence, each O-ring and pulley combination being locatable at any desired location on the fence. Thus, the O-ring and pulley combination can easily vary in number and location to achieve a particularized exercise routine, such as stretching of hamstring, deltoid and bicep muscle groups. In addition, use of the in-field kit and system does not require costly membership in a gym.

[0019]Use of the invention enables an athlete to make a transition from a clinic rehabilitation environment to an indoor or in-field environment for continuing his or her rehabilitation exercise routine. Use of the invention also allows an accident victim to make a rehabilitation transition from a clinical setting to an indoor (e.g., home) setting. In addition, use of the invention obviates the need to have a physical therapist present at all times during rehabilitation. The invention is a pulley-based system that enables use of the invention at home or at an athletic field.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, regular physical exercise reduces the likelihood of obesity and the deleterious psychological effects on one's body image due to being overweight.

Injury to the hamstring muscle group is painful and there is often a prolonged recovery.

Gym memberships can be expensive.

A gym membership for a family costs even more.

In addition, weights in a gym are typically heavy and possess limited adjustment.

Therefore, cost of gym memberships may be financially prohibitive for some individuals and families, gym membership limits users to specific locations, weights are heavy and have limited adjustment and equipment in some gym facilities may be inadequate.

However, the current state of the art does not appear to provide suitable means for performing physical exercises away from the physical therapist's facility.

However, this patent appears to be directed to specifically developing a baseball batter's muscles and improving batting strength and velocity and not necessarily related to other sports.

However, it appears that a user must assemble the segmented housing prior to use and disassemble the segmented housing after use.

Assembling and disassembling the segmented housing can be inconvenient for a user of the equipment, especially for an elderly person.

Further, it appears that a limitation of the Cassidy, et al, device is it only has three increments of weights.

Combination of these weights to achieve a specific weight resistance desired by a user may be limited.

However, this published patent document does not appear to disclose use of pulleys that can provide consistent resistance.

Also, this device appears inconvenient to use because it requires substantial space to mount the device.

Moreover, the elastic tether that is connected to the handle member might prove to be a relatively weak link.

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