Abstract:
Disclosed is an adjustable and portable device for exercising the hand, fingers, wrist and forearm. Any number of mechanisms by which the device can be fully adjusted through a range of force settings allows both rehabilitation and strength training within the same unit. Using combinations of screws, springs, tension and fluids, this exercise device provides the user with versatility not offered by other products. The unit also provides a mechanism for adjustments in hand size to accommodate multiple users and ergonomic fit. In addition, the unit also has the benefit that it can be repaired or resistance increased when some of the key mechanisms are no longer functioning to the operators needs

Description:
PARENT CASE TEXT  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from USPTO Provisional Applications Ser. No. 60/503,527, filed Sep. 16, 2003 titled Water Worx Exercise Too. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is related in general to the field of exercise and physical therapy. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for rehabbing and strengthening the hand, fingers, wrist, and forearm due to injury or to simply improve strength in those areas of the body.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Fitness is essential to human health. Exercise is the best method to achieve a physically fit condition in the human body. Exercise is essentially working the body with work defined as the amount of force exerted over time. As a result, various levels or exercise can deliver various levels of fitness. The method to accomplish an exercise routine can be a diverse as the persons exercising.  
         [0004]     Indeed exercise is a varying concept. Exercise can be based on simple aerobic movement that does not require outside tools (such as running, swimming, aerobics, etc) and there is exercise that utilizes resistance of some sort (free weights, resistance weights using elastic bands, resistance using coiled springs, exercise equipment, etc).  
         [0005]     Aerobic exercise can be increased or decreased by changing the duration and time (thus the amount of work done), while exercise based on resistance weights can be varied by changing the load, adjusting a spring, etc. and the number of cycles.  
         [0006]     Some forms of equipment are large and stationary. Others are portable. To facilitate frequent use, it is important to have both portability and operator friendly tools.  
         [0007]     Operator friendly can be accomplished with features the support both adjustability and ergonomics. By definition, an ergonomic tool has to fit the many body types and builds as there are different forms of tools that utilize resistance weights. As different as each form of resistance weight varies, so does the need of each individual exercising.  
         [0008]     Some forms of equipment do not allow adjustments or have very minimal adjustment capability. In some instances, there are not tools and equipment that target areas of the body that require attention after an injury when light workouts are necessary until strength to the particular area has been regained. For instance, a broken wrist cannot begin with some of the tool that that require up to 5 to 10 pounds of force to pull the levers.  
         [0009]     As one begins to regain or improve strength in an area, it&#39;s good to have equipment that is adjustable (for flexibility) and portable (to support frequent used). The ability to adjust the equipment is quite beneficial in a regular, periodic exercise routine as well. For example, warm-up exercise begins with a light load followed by a more rigorous pattern. To achieve this, one might “dial” a new setting on the exercise equipment.  
         [0010]     Though these are not all the results that can be obtained from such a versatile exercise tool, this embodiment does demonstrate the basic soundness, uniqueness of concept and improvement over other products. This application will also discuss how our technique could be used to construct units to exercise or rehab other parts of the body.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention discloses a method for constructing a portable and flexible hand held exercise tool. The embodiment of this application uses the concept of a “spray bottle” to create both a flexible (adjustable) and ergonomic piece of exercise equipment. In this particular embodiment of this application, the mechanism of the spray bottle is based on a reciprocating piston pump that allows adjustments in force by changing the amount of fluid passed through the nozzle.  
         [0012]     For this embodiment, if the nozzle is restricted, more force is required to move the fluid through the system.  FIG. 2  shows a cross section of a typical spray bottle. The nozzle end can be adjusted to vary the amount of fluid and stream size pumped in a given stroke. This is one adjustment that can be used to vary the “resistance” necessary to create a pumping motion. As a result, a variable resistance exercise tool has now been created. This nozzle design is not meant to represent every embodiment but serves as a demonstration for this application. This drawing, as are the others, serve as reference to show one embodiment of the many iterations that the nozzle, other components and design could embody.  
         [0013]     A second set of adjustments is provided at the trigger by changing the spring that is used to push the trigger back to the starting point  FIG. 2 . This embodiment of the tool allows the operator to remove the trigger and replace the standard spring with one with a higher or lower spring constant. The trigger spring is instrumental in the design as the spring can be the dominant force at both low and high loads depending on the settings and adjustments.  
         [0014]     One additional benefit gained is that as the spring ages and the spring constant decreased, the unit does not have to be discarded as with other products. This product in this variation, as well as other possible embodiments, provides a mechanism to allow the changeout of the springs with varying spring constants, or to replace worn springs due to age, thereby improving the usefulness and life of the tool.  
         [0015]     In this variation, the tip can be unscrewed to allow a pivot of the trigger by approximately 90 degrees. This rotation disengages the trigger from the track allowing complete removal and spring replacement.  FIG. 1  This design is not meant to cover every possible embodiment as one skilled in the art could create.  
         [0016]     This design is a reference that will applied in this embodiment and future design in similar and possibly other variants. One skilled in the art could generate other variation but this feature is a key item that is an important feature and differentiates our solution. Other products are typically discarded so this application and others will provide an additional improvement for product life.  
         [0017]     Being able to adjusting the depth of the trigger provides A third additional feature  FIG. 3   e . Since work is equal to force times distance, changing the distance changes the work done by the user. This feature also helps to improve the ergonomics since hand sizes differ and thus the overall position where the fingers would curl the trigger would differ.  
         [0018]     Ergonomically, if the trigger is not at an optimum depth, the unit would not feel comfortable nor would it deliver the best benefit to the user. Thus this feature help not only improves the workout for the user but also helps to provide comfort as well. Adding overmold to the backside of the handle further improve the comfort and ergonomics. From a usage standpoint, ergonomics and comfort make our unit standout compared to other units which, among other inconveniences, can pinch the skin, are not adjustable to varying hand sizes and can slip in the hand.  
         [0019]     This feature is also useful as the entire hand does not need to curl the trigger. In the case where an individual would want to strengthen target fingers, the trigger is designed such that individual fingers (one or more) could be used to force the trigger back. While there are a number of tools for such a task, most require changing springs and are not ergonomic to the hand. This unit would require only a change in either one of the resistance settings and could be accomplished during the exercise session.  
         [0020]     Finally, by changing viscosity of the fluid type, one additional variable can be accomplished. Fluid viscosity will have the impact by changing the amount of work to both pump the material as well as forcing the material through the nozzle. Just as moving a high viscosity material through a length of pipe will change the work required, moving material through the tubing of the exerciser will change the amount of work the user would be required to exert. This one additional embodiment of the tool provides one addition feature the shows the benefit of this application.  
         [0021]     By working with variants of the four settings, a versatile and ergonomic tool is available for a vast population from rehabilitation to world class athlete. The discussion has shown that the hand, fingers, wrist and forearm can all be strengthened using this tool. The versatility, ease of use, and upgradeability/repairability all make the device an improvement of current product on the market.  
         [0022]     Those skilled in the area will realize there are other variations that could be implemented as well. This application cannot discuss each embodiment but it should be understood that any variant of the embodiment is covered in this application. The “trigger”, “pump”, “spring”, and other features of the solution might all be adjusted depending on the part of the body target for the utility. The fluid could also be adjusted as well to add higher viscosity materials for more resistance. The designs could be target for most areas of the body and might include one or more tools.  
         [0023]     This application is not meant to limit the number and types of tools that can be developed using this concept alone or with combinations of others. For instance, the body could be made of plastic or metal. The inner workings could be brass, plastic, or ceramic. The tool could be designed for hand usage or a larger tool for legwork. The tool might also exist in one form that has multiple pumps, multiple “triggers”, multiple orifices or any combination thereof. The tool could be a stand-alone tool or allow additional weight to be added.  
         [0024]     Other embodiments could use springs for all the adjustments, belts that are tightened, rubber bands, etc to change the load. Furthermore, this embodiment is not meant to restrict the shape of the tool nor is it meant to allow those skilled in the art to make slight adjustments that still embody the basic premise of this application. For example, if one were to move the trigger, roller wheel, color, change the shape, etc, the basic concept of the patent would be covered by this application.  
         [0025]     Features could also be added to the tool to count the cycles, add “lights”, generate electricity, or any other feature that is adds “features” to the basic concept. Generating electricity might be good for the on the go person who would like to convert this mechanical energy to storage energy for a battery. The invention is not limited to any specific “type” hand operated pump or any feature that might not be listed but obvious to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     For a better understanding of the invention including its features, advantages and specific embodiments, reference is made to the following detailed description along with accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a unit showing the trigger ( 1   a ), an endcap ( 1   b ), trigger shaft ( 1   c ), nozzle adjustment wheel ( 1   d ), the track for the trigger ( 1   e ) and the fluid reservoir ( 1   f ).  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts the internal attributes of the units. A spring valve ( 2   a .), trigger spring ( 2   b ), nozzle ( 2   c .), additional one way valve ( 2   d .), trigger ( 2   e .) and reservoir with fluid ( 2   f .).  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the exterior of the unit for reference. The adjustment wheel ( 3   a .), overmold on the back grip ( 3   b .), trigger ( 3   c .), removable tip ( 3   d .), and adjustment mechanism for the trigger( 3   e .). 
     
    
       [0030]     References in the detailed description correspond to like references in the figures unless otherwise noted. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures. The descriptive and directional terms used in the written description such as top, bottom, left, right, first, second, etc., refer to the drawings themselves as laid out on the paper and not to physical limitations of the invention unless specifically noted. Dimensions only refer to one possible embodiment and are used here as reference dimension to suggest scale. The drawings are not to scale and some features of embodiments shown and discussed are simplified or exaggerated for illustrating the principles of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]     While the explanation in this section of this application in but one embodiment of this tool and its possible use(s). While this embodiment is using the concept of a spray bottle to adjust force, tension springs, rubber bands, belts, ect could all be used to make adjustments. This application looks for reliability and minimal variation for variable such as temperature, age and operator error.  
         [0032]     One skilled in the trade or engineering could implement either of these techniques to generate a similar embodiment. Additional embodiments also could implement one or more pumps to increase the force settings and/or have combinations of springs, belts, pumps, etc to make a hybrid device. Those embodiments could be used for hand exercisers or for other body applications such as legs, chest, etc.  
         [0033]     This embodiment of the product works on a similar principle as the spray bottle. Spray bottles are a useful and proven engineering design. Millions of spray bottles are sold every year and have proven reliability and functionality. Interesting enough, a spray-bottle head ( FIG. 2 ) is made up of only a few parts keeping cost and reliability acceptable. It has a trigger lever ( FIG. 2   e ), which activates a small pump ( FIG. 2 ).  
         [0034]     This pump is attached to a plastic tube ( FIG. 2 ) that draws fluid from the reservoir. The pump forces this liquid down a barrel ( FIG. 2 ) and out a hole ( FIG. 2   d  area) at the gun&#39;s muzzle. The hole, or nozzle, serves to focus the liquid so that it forms a stream. In one application of this tool, by adjusting the nozzle(s), the rate of fluid transfer can be adjusted which has an effect to impact the pressure required to force the material through nozzle. One skilled in the areas will realize this serves to provide a secondary force setting in addition to the spring load supplied at the trigger.  
         [0035]     For this particular embodiment of the tool, the elements in this design that allow force adjustability are the fluid pump and the spring on the trigger. Both help to keep the design simple and easy to adjust, repair and upgrade while maintaining reliability. In this embodiment, the main moving element is a piston ( FIG. 1   c ), housed inside a cylinder ( FIG. 1 ). Inside the cylinder, there is a small ( FIG. 2   b ).  
         [0036]     To operate the pump, the trigger is pulled  FIGS. 2   e ,  1   a  and  3   c ) pushing the piston into the cylinder. The moving piston compresses the spring. When the trigger is released, the piston is pushed back out of the cylinder returning to the starting position or similar position. Additional embodiments could also be designed to allow the tool to return to varying start locations after each cycle. For example, this embodiment has a feature that allows depth adjustments ( FIGS. 1   c  and  3   e ) of the trigger for varying hand size and shape.  
         [0037]     In this embodiment, when the piston is pushed in, the area of the cylinder is shrunk forcing fluid out of the pump. In this embodiment, the reverse stroke, the spring pushing the piston back out, expands the cylinder area, sucking fluid into the pump. Other pumps behave slightly different and can create a vacuum and also suck fluid into the pump. This embodiment attempts to use an inexpensive yet commercially economically simple solution. In this application of using the spray bottle, fluid needs to be sucked from a reservoir ( FIGS. 2   f  and  1   f ) and be forced out through the barrel.  
         [0038]     In order to get all of the fluid moving through the barrel and obtain the usefulness of this embodiment, the pump must only force the fluid in one direction. It cannot force the fluid back into the reservoir otherwise the benefit is diminished. In other words, it is important for the fluid to move through the pump in only one direction through the cycle to obtain full benefits. Other embodiments could be implemented where fluids are cycling through the pump in multiple directions, particularly if there are multiple pumps, but for the single pump application, it is beneficial to have one direction.  
         [0039]     This particular embodiment of this tool is made possible by the use of a mechanism called a one-way valve ( FIG. 2   a ). A spray bottle has two one-way valves in the pumping system: one between the pump and the reservoir and one between the pump and the nozzle. Typically, the valve between the pump and the reservoir consists of a tiny rubber ball ( FIG. 2   d  area) that rests neatly inside a small seal. The sides of the seal are angled so that the ball won&#39;t fall through.  
         [0040]     Depending on the design, either gravity or a small spring holds this ball against the seal so that the water passageway is blocked off when not pumping. When the piston moves out (the trigger is released), the expanding area of the cylinder sucks on the fluid below, pulling the ball up out of the seal. Since the ball is lifted up, fluid is free to flow from the reservoir. But when you squeeze the trigger, the outward force of the moving fluid pushes the ball into the seal, blocking off the passageway to the reservoir. Consequently, the pressurized fluid is pushed only into the barrel.  
         [0041]     In the spray mechanism pictured in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the one-way valve between the pump and the nozzle is a sort of cup, which fits over the end of the barrel. The inward pressure from the pump pulls the cup against the barrel so air can&#39;t flow in through the nozzle. During the downstroke, the fluid pushing out lifts the cup off the barrel slightly and flows on through the nozzle.  
         [0042]     In this embodiment, adjusting the flow of fluid through the nozzle results in a corresponding change in force as seen at the trigger. This second one-way valve adjustment in this embodiment provides the advantage of the solution over a number of applications that have no second adjustment or that use other methods that are not as reliable or easy to use.  
         [0043]     Without this second one-way valve the pump system would not be able to draw fluid up from the reservoir because there would be no suction due to drop in air pressure. The upstroke wouldn&#39;t lower the air pressure in the pump; it would only draw in more air to maintain that pressure. Similarly, to change the force, more or less fluid can be drawn by changing the stroke, various diameters, nozzle dimensions, etc. In this embodiment, by adjusting the nozzle, an adjustment can be made to adjust the load ergonomically allowing usage for clients that vary from repair and surgery to world class athletics and various stages in between.  
         [0044]     This valve also works as a shut-off system. When the nozzle piece is screwed in, it pushes the valve cup tightly against the barrel, so you can&#39;t force any liquid out. When the nozzle piece is loosened there is enough room for the valve cup to move back and forth. Similar to a spray bottle when used for the first time, the trigger has to be squeezed a couple of times to spray the fluid.  
         [0045]     There are two items that contribute to the delay, before the pumping cycle begins, the mechanism is set for a downstroke, not an upstroke (the piston is sitting outside the cylinder). When the trigger is pulled back the first time and the piston pushes in, there is no liquid to pump out since there is only air in the cylinder chamber. The piston has to slide out to draw fluid from the reservoir.  
         [0046]     Next, on this first upstroke, the pump starts sucking the liquid from the reservoir. But it also sucks in any air sitting in the plastic tube leading to the reservoir. Before a consistent flow of liquid can start flowing, the air must be bled through the pump mechanism (typically by going through a few cycles) otherwise a true representation of the force is not realized. This simple pump design in our embodiment is called a reciprocating piston pump and is used for a variety of tasks. In addition to pressurizing water, air and many other fluids, this design can also extract water and oil from underground.  
         [0047]     We even have reciprocating pumps built into our bodies: Your heart expands to draw low-pressure blood in through one one-way valve and contracts to force high-pressure blood through another one-way valve, back into your body. Thus this same basic mechanism that makes an ordinary spray bottle and our tool work also serves to keep you alive and can be used to make you fitter.  
         [0048]     The making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail. It should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. Various materials and modifications can be envisioned but the conceptualization for the tool should not alter the principal discussed in this invention. It should be understood that the invention might be practiced with various changes without changing the basic concept of the device altering the principles of the invention.