Abstract:
A resistance exercise device is disclosed for an amputee which includes a support assembly configured to engage the stump portion of an amputated limb. The support assembly includes a pair of circumferential support cuffs. The support assembly includes inelastic adjustable bands with the support cuffs attached to the end thereof. The harness assembly is connected to a centrally located anchor, having a spacing member, that provides for a distribution of the user&#39;s weight between the arms. The device allows the user to selectively adjust the exercise load from nearly zero resistance to the user&#39;s full body weight.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Non-Provisional Application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/908,213 filed Nov. 25, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to a method and apparatus enabling hands-free exercise of several specific muscle groups in isolation, including muscles in the chest, shoulders, and back. 
         [0003]    Weight lifting exercises targeting the upper body often rely on a user&#39;s hands to provide the connection between the body and the weight or resistance machine. Consequently, hand injuries usually require the injured person to suspend weight-lifting exercise while the injuries heal. People with limitations including arthritis tendonitis, carpal tunnel, transradial amputee (below the elbow amputation), and other limitations are limited in performing pushups, planks, forms of resistance training, dips, and other forms of exercise due to their condition/injury. In cases where the hand injury is permanent, the person may be forced to abandon certain weight lifting exercises requiring use of the hands altogether. 
         [0004]    Other weight lifting exercises exist to isolate individual muscles or specific groups of muscle enabling targeted development of the muscle. The objective of such specific exercise is often related to body building with the goal of maximizing individual muscle definition. Many upper body exercises in which the hands provide the human-machine connection provide only limited muscle isolation capability; arm movement typically involves many muscles in the arms, chest, and back. 
         [0005]    Both of the prior art patents discussed hereinabove, describe exercise devices that are used to perform specific exercises directed toward specific muscle groups, and are thus limited in application. Furthermore, these prior art exercise devices are not suited for use by an amputee. It would be beneficial therefore, to provide a exercise system that can be utilized by an amputee to exercise a variety of muscle groups. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to be worn by a user that enables hand-free strengthening exercise of pre-selected muscle groups such as in the chest, arms, shoulders, and back. The apparatus comprises support assemblies configured to encircle the user&#39;s forearm, or in the case of an amputee to encircle the user&#39;s arm near the stump. Each cuff includes a structure for releasably connecting the support assembly to the exercise device. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a hands-free strength-training apparatus for a user that may be selectively adjusted to fit a wide array of user physiques. The support assemblies are selectively adjustable in circumference to fit a typical range of human arm (and/or stump) sizes. The support assemblies also can incorporate elastic portions to maintain pressure contact with the user&#39;s arm (and/or stump) once equipped to limit movement of the apparatus along the length of the arm. 
         [0008]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a strength-training exercise apparatus that enables users lacking the ability to grasp with their hands to engage in upper-body strength-training activity. 
         [0009]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a hands-free, upper-body strength-training apparatus that is durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, carefree of maintenance, easily assembled/stored, and simple and effective to use. 
         [0010]    These and other objects are achieved by an exercise device comprising two adjustable support assemblies configured to encircle a user&#39;s arm. Each assembly is provided with a releasable and pivoting connector for conveniently connecting the assembly to the rest of the device. This releasable connector also allows an amputee to use two different sized cuffs if needed. As hands are not necessary, the apparatus also enables users having a hand or other lower arm infirmity to continue other upper-body muscle exercises. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of the inventive exercise device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a spacing member according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a user with the support assemblies of one embodiment of the invention engaged; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a support assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    In general, the present invention provides an exercise device that is supported by, or that can be easily attached to, a supporting structure, and that allows a user with limited or no use of the hands to perform a large number of exercises by easily adjusting the length of the device and thereafter balancing the device as the user transfers his weight to the device. Several of the features of the present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the figures, which show the device of the present invention, and which are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0017]    In general, exercise device  10  includes an anchor  12  connected to downwardly depending anchor strap  14 . Anchor strap  14  is equipped with optional harness receptacle  16  to receive harness strap  20 . Harness receptacle  16  serves to more properly secure and retain harness strap  20  during use. Harness strap  20  is fed through the loop of anchor strap  14  and rests on harness receptacle  16 . Harness receptacle  16  is preferably made of material that supports and holds the harness strap  20  through strap  14  when device is under a load. 
         [0018]    Harness strap  20  forms a loop and is preferably adjustable. As shown in the figures, harness strap  20  is adjustable by means of harness buckle  22 . Any means of providing a loop having an adjustable length can be used however. Harness strap  20  is received at its upper end by harness receptacle  16 . Spacing member  24  receives the lower end of harness strap  20 . Devices lacking a spacer create undue lateral pressure on the user&#39;s shoulders when the device is under load. Spacing member  24  has a length sufficient to prevent a user from being pinched between the bands of the device (discussed below) when in use. In a preferred embodiment, spacing member  24  is adjustable in length. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , spacing member  24  includes a plurality of apertures  24   a  at each end. Apertures  24   a  receive harness strap  20  in a manner that allows depending loops  20   a  to be formed. A portion of harness strap  20  rests on the upper surface of spacing member  24 , which assists in distributing the weight placed on the harness. 
         [0020]    Rotating members  26  connect to and depend from harness strap loops  20   a.  Alternatively, rotating members  26  can be affixed directly to spacing member  24 . Rotating members  26  allow for rotational movement of the user&#39;s arm during exercise without causing the elongate bands (below) to twist. The rotational movement also reduces rubbing of the straps on the user&#39;s skin. 
         [0021]    Elongated arms  30  depend from rotating members  26 . In a preferred embodiment, elongated arms  30  comprise of a single band that is slidably received by rotating members  26 . This arrangement provides each elongated arm  30  to further comprise a first arm  32  and a second arm  34 . A pair of supporting assemblies ( 40 ) is provided, with one positioned at the end of each arm  30 . Specifically each supporting assembly is connected to arm  30  between the ends of first arm  32  and second arm  34 . Arm  30  is substantially inelastic, in a preferred embodiment, although embodiments using elastic resistance bands are also contemplated, with a length extending from a first side of supporting assembly  40 , through rotating member  26  and back to a second side of supporting member  40 . In an optional embodiment, arm  30  includes a lengthening mechanism (not shown) that provides for increasing or decreasing the length of arm  30 . 
         [0022]    Anchor  12  is used to provide a fixed anchor point for exercise device  10  and to support a user&#39;s weight as it is applied to arms  30 . Anchor  12  is adapted for positioning exercise device  10  in a door and providing support to arms  30  through harness strap  20 . With anchor  12  on the opposite side of a door from arms  30 , anchor  12  supports the weight of a user as pressure is applied to support assemblies  40 . In addition, anchor  12  provides for positioning exercise device  10 . Thus, the total length of exercise device  10  and distribution of that length between each of arms  30  can be easily positioned and adjusted. While the preferred embodiment is for use with a door, the exercise device can be used with any structure that can support the weight of the user. 
         [0023]    Support assembly  40  is characterized general as a “cuff” and includes a circumferential support strap  42  preferably formed of a flexible high-strength woven fabric, such as, for example, nylon. A circumferential layer of padded material  44  can be disposed about the inner periphery of support strap  42  to provide comfort for the amputee during an exercise routine. The operative diameter of support strap  42  can be selectively varied by adjusting a hook and loop type fastening assembly  46  of the type marketed under the trademark VELCRO by Velcro Corporation of Manchester, N.H. Other fastening means may be utilized including, for example, buttons, snaps, or hooks. Assembly  40  is connected to first arm  32  and second arm  34  by means of assembly connectors  48  disposed on opposite side of assembly  40 . Assembly connectors  48  allow pivotable movement of support assemblies  40  relative to elongated arms  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means further include a loop adapted to receive a stump of the user. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , when a user places his/her forearms (and/or stump) in support assembly  40 , the user&#39;s arm rest between first arm  32  and second arm  34 . This provides even distribution of the user&#39;s weight and prevents the elongate arm  30  from applying uneven pressure to the user&#39;s arms and/or shoulders. 
         [0025]    When supported by a structure, such as door or a railing, pole or other support member (not shown) the inventive exercise device provides a pair of support assemblies for a user to exercise against his/her weight according the user&#39;s position relative to the device and angle relative to the floor, and provides for easily adjusting the length of the device. As described below, the inventive device can be used to exercise in any one of a large number of orientations according the selected adjustable length and according to where and how the user stands relative to the exercise device. In general, a user sets the exercise device to a desired length, positions him/herself near the exercise device, supports a portion of his/her body weight from the exercise device by with the support assemblies, and exercises by moving his/her body with his/her weight supported by the ground and the exercise device. Examples of support on the ground and exercise device include, but are not limited to, standing on one or both legs, lying on the stomach or the back, or kneeling and having the exercise device support ones weight by the support assemblies, as appropriate. 
         [0026]    It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Any materials, which may be cited above, are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0027]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Relative terminology, such as “substantially” or “about,” describe the specified materials, steps, parameters or ranges as well as those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed inventions as whole (as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art). Now that the invention has been described,