Isokinetic cervical exercise device

An apparatus for exercising the muscles surrounding the cervical spine of a person in an isokinetic manner, comprising: a headband adapted to fit around the person's head; a breast plate; a back plate; at least one strap adapted to hold the breast plate and back plate in position on the person's body; a belt adapted to fit around the person's lower torso and lower back, wherein the belt is coupled to the breast plate or back plate; a lumbar belt adapted to fit around the person's waist; a plurality of adjustable non-elastic straps with isokinetic tensioners adapted to provide tensile loads between the headband and the breast and back plates; a plurality of adjustable elastic straps adapted to provide tensile loads between the headband and the breast and back plates; and a plurality of adjustable elastic straps adapted to provide tensile loads between the breast and back plates and the lumbar belt.

1. Field of the Invention 
The subject invention relates generally to exercise devices and, more 
particularly, to medical implements designed to strengthen, support, and 
rehabilitate neck muscles surrounding the cervical spine and provide 
support for the back. The device of this invention is a functional 
assemblage of components arranged to universally fit patients or other 
users. The individual components can be assembled into multiple 
embodiments. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
A variety of exercise and medical devices have been used in the past to 
exercise or rehabilitate the neck or spine of individuals. Typically, such 
devices are used by individuals recuperating from accidents, e.g., 
automobile or athletic. The prior art devices can generally be 
characterized as cumbersome, unattractive, and ineffective. The use of 
such devices has been hampered by the requirement that movement and 
activity while such devices are worn is extremely limited. 
The isokinetic device of this invention solves these prior art problems by 
providing a device that is worn during normal activity and that achieves 
its therapeutic benefits during such routine use. The device of this 
invention has utility both as an exercise device and as a medical device 
for isokinetic treatment of the neck and cervical spine area. The device 
of this invention simultaneously provides exercise, support and 
recuperative ability. 
One of the known devices used in the prior art for exercising the human 
neck, involves the use of a series of straps of cloth material which are 
sewn or otherwise secured together to form a hat-like pocket for cradling 
the head of the person whose neck is to be exercised. Portions of the 
straps are arranged to depend from the hat portion of this prior art 
device so as to extend substantially below the neck and shoulders of the 
person performing a neck exercise routine but not, typically, below the 
waist of such user. The ends of such straps terminate in loops for 
anchoring suitable weighted objects thereto. 
The use of this prior art neck exercising device involves placing the hat 
portion over the head of the person whose neck is to be exercised, 
affixing one or more weighted objects to the looped portions of the 
depending straps and thereafter moving the neck up and down and side to 
side. The weighted objects provide a constant pull or "force" which is 
transmitted to the user's neck via the depending straps and the hat 
structure formed by the sewn straps. The neck is thereby exercised along 
with the muscles of the human body which are associated with the movement 
of the human neck. At least one deficiency with this prior art device lies 
in the inability of the user to comfortably stand up and exercise his 
neck; the contact of the weighted objects with his body is in some cases 
intolerable and in other cases, simply a nuisance and a source of 
irritation. 
Another prior art neck exercising device includes an upright frame capable 
of surrounding the upper torso of a person. This device includes: a pair 
of handles manual gripping of the frame, a plurality of weighted objects, 
and some flexible ropes. One end of each rope is secured to one of the 
weighted objects. The device further includes guide means secured to a 
frame for guiding each of the plurality of ropes; means for securing the 
ropes to the weighted objects; and means for securing the unattached ends 
of the ropes to the head of the person using the device. The use of this 
prior art device relies on movements of the weights which are intended to 
strengthen the neck. This device, however, can present problems when used 
by patients with a herniated disc. The weights can cause additional 
compression of the cervical spine and therefore, possibly exacerbate the 
injuries of the cervical spine. In addition, the use of the frame is 
cumbersome and a nuisance. 
At this time, there is a continuing need for a device for exercising the 
cervical spine as it relates to rehabilitation of injuries to the cervical 
spine, deformities of the cervical spine and disease of the spine 
affecting the neck area. There is also a need for strengthening soft 
tissues and ligamentous tissues, such as the anterior, posterior and left 
and right lateral longitudinal ligaments of the cervical spine. A device 
is especially needed when these areas have been exposed to trauma and 
injury has resulted. A device is also needed for those people suffering 
from a weakness in the cervical spine from other causes other than trauma. 
Especially needed is a device which can address the above needs while 
depending solely on isokinetic responses (without weights) to natural 
movements, and allows the person to use the device while engaging in 
almost any type of activity. Such a device would an improvement over the 
prior art and is described herein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally concerns a medical device for exercising 
the muscles surrounding the cervical spine of a person. In the broadest 
embodiment of the medical device of this invention, an assemblage of 
elements including a cranial support means, a breast plate, a back plate, 
a lumbar belt, a plurality of positioning straps, a plurality of elastic 
straps, and a plurality of non-elastic straps are functionally 
interconnected to form the medical device of this invention. Tension means 
are attached to the non-elastic straps. In turn, the tension means are 
attached to the cranial support means. Optionally, a chin cup is 
interconnected to the breast plate. The individual tension means provide 
resistance in all directions to the nonelastic straps. Thus, isokinetic 
tension is supplied to the cervical muscles at all times during movement. 
One embodiment of the invention comprises a breast plate; a back plate; a 
headband adapted to fit around a person's head; a belt adapted to fit 
around a person's lower torso lower back; a lumbar belt adapted to fit 
around a person's waist; a pair of straps wherein one strap extends over a 
person's left shoulder and connects the respective left upper portions of 
the breast and back plate, and one strap extends over a person's right 
shoulder and connects the respective right portions of the breast plate 
and back plate; and a plurality of non-elastic straps are connected to the 
headband by isokinetic tension devices adapted to provide resistance 
between either or both the headband and the breast plate and the headband 
and back plate in all directions of movement. Alternatively, the 
isokinetic tension devices could be located between the non-elastic strap 
and either or both the breast and back plates. Additionally, a plurality 
of non-elastic straps are connected by tension means at one end to provide 
resistance between the breast plate and lumbar belt and between the back 
plate and lumbar belt. Also in this embodiment, the lumbar belt is 
connected to the breast plate by a loop fastener means and a chin cup is 
optional. 
In the most preferred embodiment, a combination of elastic and non-elastic 
straps are used. In this embodiment, a plurality of non-elastic straps 
with tension control means and elastic straps are functionally 
interconnected to provide resistance to the various parts of the device of 
this invention. More particularly, one or more non-elastic straps with 
tension control means are placed in various areas of the device to provide 
isokinetic resistance between such areas such as the headband and breast 
or back plate and the breast or back plate and the lumbar belt. Likewise, 
one or more elastic straps are placed in various areas on the device to 
provide tensile loads between areas such as the headband and breast or 
back plate and the lumbar belt and the breast or back plate. An optional 
chin cup may be connected to breast plate by either an elastic strap by 
itself or a non-elastic strap with a tension control means.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative 
forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the 
drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be 
understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the 
particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all 
modifications, equivalents and alternatives following within the spirit 
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The present invention is an isokinetic cervical exercise device designed to 
create an isotonic movement of the cervical spine to strengthen the soft 
tissues, including ligamentous, muscle and other soft tissue connections 
affecting the cervical spine. 
In its broadest application, the medical device of this invention includes 
a cranial support means, a breast plate, a back plate, non-elastic straps 
with isokinetic tension control means connecting the cranial support means 
to the front and back body support means, elastic straps connecting the 
cranial support means to the front and back body support means, a lumbar 
belt, positioning straps connecting the lumbar belt to the front and back 
body support means and elastic straps connecting the lumbar belt to the 
front and back body support means. The cranial support means is generally 
designated by the numeral 10 and in its most preferred embodiment takes 
the form of a headband. Other more rigid structures are likewise useable. 
The purpose of the cranial support means 10 is to provide the cranial 
attachment for non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension control means 
and elastic straps. Therefore, the cranial support means may take the form 
of any convenient headband or similar such structure. It is necessary that 
cranial support device 10 have a plurality of connecting means for 
receiving one end of either non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension 
control means or elastic straps. 
In its most preferred embodiment, the medical device of this invention also 
includes front and back body support means. The purpose of the body 
support means is to provide an anchoring area on the user's body for the 
various elastic and inelastic straps that are used to interconnect the 
components of the assembly of this invention. In one form, the front and 
back body support means are hard plates with attachment sites for the 
non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension control means, elastic straps 
and inelastic position straps of the invention. Front body support means 
are generally designated by the number 12 and back body support means are 
generally designated by the number 18. Both the front and back body 
support means include receptive sites for non-elastic straps with 
isokinetic tension control means, elastic straps and inelastic positioning 
straps interconnecting with the cranial support means and the lumbar belt. 
In its preferred embodiment, both the front and back body support means 
are made from a hard plastic in a functionally effective shape to maintain 
the position of the portion of the apparatus strapped to the upper torso 
in comparison to the movement of the cranial support means engaged by the 
head of the user. Other forms and other materials are equally applicable 
to the front and back body support means. In a most preferred embodiment, 
the front body support means takes the form of a breast plate made of a 
hard plastic material with a cushioning material on the inside. Likewise, 
in a most preferred embodiment, the back body support means is made of a 
hard plastic material with a cushioning material likewise included. 
A third component of the assemblage of this invention is the lumbar belt 
16. Lumbar belt 16 takes the form of what are generally referred to as 
back support belts typically worn by workers whose duties include lifting 
of materials. The lumbar belts are typically four to ten inches in width 
and are made of leather or a synthetic material. The lumbar belts are 
structurally rigid to provide a firm anchor for the front and back body 
support means and the cranial support means. In many instances, the lumbar 
belt has a buckle engagement means or a velcro engagement means. The size 
and shape of the belt can be custom designed to fit the particular user. 
In connecting the cranial support means 10, front body support means 12, 
back body support means 18 and lumbar belt 16 are a series of non-elastic 
straps with isokinetic tension control means, elastic straps and inelastic 
positioning straps. 
The non-elastic strap with isokinetic tension control means may take the 
form of twine, rope, wire, plastic coated wire, flat cloth material, or 
any other convenient form that permits isokinetic tension control. 
Isokinetic tension control means are old in the art. Common examples of 
isokinetic tension control means include automobile seat-belt tension 
mechanisms and starting rope recoil mechanisms for gasoline powered lawn 
care products. A simple isokinetic tension control device may be created 
by rapping a non-elastic strap over a spool which is connected to a 
support frame by a torsion spring. When the non-elastic strap is pulled, 
it causes the spool to rotate with respect to the support frame. This 
rotation is resisted by the spring. This resistance results in a tension 
on the non-elastic strap. The forward isokinetic tension control means is 
numbered 37. The rearward isokinetic tension control means is numbered 38. 
The elastic straps may take the form of elasticized tubing or flat 
elasticized cloth material or any other convenient material that causes 
tension. 
A first set of non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension control means and 
elastic straps connect the cranial support means 10 to the front and back 
body support means 12 and 18. These straps are generally identified by the 
numerals 22, 26, and 28. Although the drawings show specific locations for 
both the non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension control means and the 
elastic straps, the location and number of the non-elastic straps with 
isokinetic tension control means and the location and number of the 
elastic straps can be modified to meet the specific needs of the user. It 
should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to 
the particular arrangement of straps shown. 
A plurality of non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension control means and 
a plurality of elastic straps are necessary to connect the cranial support 
means to the front and back body support means in order to provide both 
isokinetic tension and isotonic tension for both front and back movement 
of the cranial area. Additional straps are likewise preferred to provide a 
combination of isokinetic and isotonic tension for whatever direction the 
cranial area is moved. 
Similarly, elastic straps 32 are used to connect the lumbar belt to the 
front and back body support means. This interconnection provides 
additional tension and isotonic exercise to the cranial and cervical 
areas. The elastic straps are similar to those used to connect the front 
and back body support means to the cranial support means. In each 
instance, the elastic strap may be adjustable to accommodate different 
sizes of users and different desired tensions. 
Positioning straps 36 are used to connect the front and back body support 
means to the lumbar belt. These straps are not intended to be elastic 
although in certain embodiments they may be slightly elastic. The purpose 
of positioning straps 36 is to firmly anchor the front and back body 
support means and to position said control means relatively firmly on the 
body of the user. In the most preferred embodiment of this invention, 
positioning straps 36 are inelastic velcro straps attachable to lumbar 
belt 16. 
In its most preferred embodiment the device generally comprises: a breast 
plate; a back plate; a headband adapted to fit around a person's head; a 
belt adapted to fit around a person's lower torso and back; a lumbar belt 
adapted to fit around a person's waist; a pair of straps adapted to extend 
over a person's shoulders and connect the respective right and left sides 
of the upper portions of the breast plate and back plate; and a plurality 
of adjustable elastic straps adapted to provide tensile loads between the 
headband and the breast and back plates, and between the lumbar belt and 
the breast and back plates. 
The device can operate in an isokinetic manner or in a combination 
isokinetic/isotonic manner depending on whether all of the straps which 
connect to the cranial support are non-elastic straps with isokinetic 
tension control means or whether some of the straps are elastic. 
Each of the elastic straps are adjustable so that when the device is placed 
on a person, each strap is tightened to the point of resistance. The point 
of resistance is the amount of tension that occurs just prior to the point 
where a pulling effect occurs. Thus, when the device is in operation, any 
movement caused by the person, such as anterior flexion, posterior 
extension, left and right lateral flexion or left and right rotation is 
affected by the restraint effect of the elastic straps, thereby 
accomplishing an isotonic type of resistance for building of the soft 
tissue surrounding the spine. 
The tension of the non-elastic straps with isokinetic tension control means 
are also adjustable. Adjustment is accomplished by shortening or 
lengthening the nonelastic straps. If a non-elastic strap is shortened, 
the tension on the non-elastic strap will increase because the isokinetic 
tension means will uncoil and exert a greater force. Likewise, if a 
non-elastic strap is lengthened, the tension on the non-elastic strap will 
decrease. 
The device is unique because it requires only the movement of the cervical 
spine in a natural motion in order to achieve either an isokinetic or a 
combination isokinetic and isotonic response. Such responses strengthen 
the tissue surrounding the cervical spine. The device achieves the 
foregoing result without the need of cumbersome weights. In addition, it 
does not depend on an isometric response, which is a force against an 
unmovable source. Therefore, the device allows a person to engage in 
almost any type of activity while wearing (operating) the device, 
including, but not limited to, household activities and work activities, 
whether sitting, lying, standing or walking. 
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front view of a person wearing an 
embodiment of the isotonic cervical exercise device in a neutral position. 
FIG. 2 is a posterior view of a person wearing the embodiment of the 
isotonic cervical exercise device of FIG. 1 in a neutral position. FIG. 3 
is a side view of a person wearing the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a 
neutral position. 
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a headband 10 is adapted to be secured 
around a person's head, and includes frontal and posterior portions 
corresponding to the respective sides of the person's body. A breast plate 
12 is adapted to fit against the frontal side of a person's body. The 
breast plate 12 may further include a padding on one side of the breast 
plate to act as a cushion between the breast plate 12 and the person's 
body. A belt 14 is adapted to fit around the person's lower torso and 
lower back. The belt 14 is coupled to the breast plate or back plate. 
A lumbar belt 16 is adapted to fit around a person's waist or lower torso 
and is releasably coupled to the breast plate or back plate. The lumbar 
belt 16 may provide back support to the person. In addition, the lumbar 
belt 16 acts as an anchoring mechanism for elastic straps. A back plate 18 
is adapted to fit against the posterior portion of the person's body. More 
particularly, the back plate 18 is adapted to fit against a person's back 
and may further include a padding on one side to act as a cushion between 
the back plate and the person's body. 
A pair of straps 20 are adapted to hold the breast plate 12 and back plate 
18 in position on the person's body. A first strap 20 is connected at one 
end to the upper left portion of the breast plate 12, extends over the 
person's left shoulder and is connected at the opposite end to the upper 
left portion of the back plate 18. A second strap 20 is connected at one 
end to the upper right portion of the breast plate 12, extends over the 
person's right shoulder, and is connected at the opposite end to the upper 
right portion of the back plate 12. 
A plurality of adjustable non-elastic 22 and 28 and elastic straps 24 and 
26 are adapted to provide tensile loads between the headband 10 and breast 
plate 12, back plate 18 and straps 20. In this embodiment, a pair of 
adjustable non-elastic straps 22 with isokinetic tension control means 37 
provide tensile loads between the right and left frontal portions of the 
headband 10 and the right and left upper portions of the breast plate 12, 
respectively; a pair of adjustable elastic straps 24 are adapted to 
provide tensile loads between the right and left posterior portions of the 
headband 10 and the right and left straps 20, respectively; a pair of 
adjustable elastic straps 26 are adapted to provide tensile loads between 
the right and left posterior portions of headband 10 and the right and 
left upper portions of the back plate 18, respectively; and an adjustable 
non-elastic strap 28 with an isokinetic tension control means 38 is 
adapted to provide a tensile load between the middle posterior portion of 
the headband 10 and the middle portion of back plate 18. 
Also in this embodiment, a plurality of adjustable elastic straps 30, 32 
and 34 are adapted to provide tensile loads between the breast plate 12 
and the lumbar belt 16, and between the back plate 18 and the lumbar belt 
16. More particularly, a pair of adjustable elastic straps 30 are adapted 
to provide tensile loads between the fight and left upper portions of the 
breast plate 12 and a fight and left portion of the lumbar belt 16, 
respectively. Additionally, a pair of adjustable elastic straps 32 are 
adapted to provide tensile loads between the upper right and left portions 
of back plate 18 and the right and left portions of the lumbar belt 16, 
respectively. Also in this embodiment, a pair of adjustable elastic straps 
34 are adapted to provide tensile loads between fight and left portions of 
back plate 18 and the fight and left portions of lumbar belt 16, 
respectively. 
An embodiment of this invention may include an optional chin cup adapted to 
fit around a person's chin. The chin cup 40 may be held in place on the 
person's chin by one or more adjustable elastic straps adapted to provide 
tensile loads between the fight and left sides of the chin cup and the 
headband. In addition, one or more adjustable non-elastic straps with 
isokinetic tension control means or adjustable elastic straps may be 
adapted to provide tensile loads between the chin cup and the straps 20, 
breast plate 12, belt 14 or lumbar belt 16.