Patent Publication Number: US-2017354842-A1

Title: Inner and Outer Thigh Exercise Machine

Description:
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Application No. 62/391,164. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed herein relates to exercise equipment and methods or exercising with an exercise device, and more particularly, an exercise device that targets the muscles of the inner and outer thighs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The exercise of the thigh muscles has many advantages that include increasing fitness, sculpting and shaping the body. Such exercise may also serve to help relieve both hip and back pain. The anterior compartment is known as the extensor compartment, the medial compartment is known as the adductor compartment, and the posteriorc compartment which is the flexor compartment. The inner thigh muscles or aductor compartment includes the adductor magnus, the adductor brevis, the adductor longus, the gracilis and the pectineus. The gracilis muscle, located in the groin starts at the external point of the ischiopubic ramus (on the pubic bone) and extends down to the upper medial (middle) shaft of the tibia, or shinbone. The gracilis is responsible for hip adduction and assists knee flexion. Muscles that are responsible for thigh abduction include the piriformis, the obturator internus, the gemelli and the quadratus femoris. 
     A number of devices have been developed to target the exercise of the thigh muscles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,756 (“the &#39;756 Patent”) discloses a firm solid block with side surfaces that are contoured to fit between a user&#39;s inner thighs. The device disclosed by the &#39;756 Patent is placed between a seated user&#39;s inner thighs just above the knees. By compressing the knees inwardly against the device, the user&#39;s thigh adductor muscles are activated in isometric contractions. Because the device includes an elastic strap that extends around the user&#39;s legs, the user can also pull the knees outwardly to thereby activate the piriformis muscles in isometric contractions. 
     A commercially successful device marketed under the trademark Thigh Master® is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,138 (the “&#39;138 patent”). The Thigh Master® device uses a helical spring and two arms spaced apart that are adapted for engagement by the user&#39;s thighs. The spring biased arms, that have proximal and distal portions, are maintained in a first position and will pivot about the spring to a second position when so urged by the user. The arm proximal portions are joined to the spring so that when the arms are in the first position the proximal portions extend from the spring in the same general direction and are generally parallel to each other. When the arms are in the second position the proximal portions are angled apart from the spring. The exercise device also includes padding mounted on the distal portions of the arms for cushioning the user during use of the device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,011,301 (“the &#39;301 Patent”) discloses a thigh exercise device that uses a curved track, a pair of resistance assemblies that use pulleys that mounted on the track and an O-ring resistance band that is wound around the two pulleys. A pair of foot pedal assemblies are attached to the curved track, and respectively having a guide pulley, wherein each of the guide pulleys are located within the respective O-ring resistance band and arrange so that the O-ring resistance band is pulled into tension by the guide pulley during movement of the respective foot pedal assembly. This device is designed to be used while seated in a chair. 
     U.S. Publication No. 20140309091 (“the &#39;091 Publication”) by Tang, discloses a thigh exercise device that uses a track designed to receive the user&#39;s feet. The device disclosed in the &#39;091 Publication includes a first base member and a second base member that is pivotally connected in parallel, a first sliding track and a second sliding track respectively which are connected to a first base member and second base member which extends in reverse directions. The device includes a foot plate assembly that is slidably supported on the sliding track. Two elastic loops are respectively coupled between the first foot plate assembly and the base members that enable the user&#39;s lateral thigh muscles to be trained. 
     Further portable exercising devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,533 (the &#39;533 Patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,050 the (&#39;050 Patent). The devices disclosed in the &#39;533 and &#39;050 patents use arms that are attached to a central helical spring are designed as adduction exercise devices for exercising certain muscle groups, such as those of the inner thighs by bringing the limbs together. 
     Yet a further device directed to exercise the thigh muscles is referred to as a “Pilates ring.” An exemplary device is disclosed by Publication No. CN 202554805 by Ure discloses a Pilates ring that includes a flexible annular body and two saddle-shaped handles that are fixed onto the body. Each handle is provided with an arc hand protector that includes a flexible buffer pad. The flexible buffer pads allow users to comfortably hold the Pilates ring. The device can be placed between the user&#39;s thighs and compressed to exercise the thigh muscles. 
     Another technique for the targeted exercise of the thigh muscles is the use elastic bands, such as those disclosed in the patent to Caltaldi, U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,056. Such bands can be secured to a chair and the user is supported by a seat. The elastic straps may be used to perform a variety of isotonic and isometric exercises that include the exercise of the thigh muscles. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the invention to provide a convenient exercise device for the thigh muscles. It is a further object to provide a thigh muscle exercise device that allows the user to perform both adduction and abduction exercises. It is a further to provide an exercise device for the thigh muscles in which the resistance may be adjusted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to exercise method and apparatus which uses resistance to activate the adductor and piriformis (hip rotator) muscles in isometric contractions. The apparatus comprises, generally, two arms on which are provided elements that designed to engage the user&#39;s legs at the knees and against which resistance is applied by compressing the knees inwardly or by pulling them apart outwardly. In embodiments, the resistance of the device can be altered. In a preferred form of the invention, the device includes two opposite U-shaped. channels that generally are sized and shaped to fit the contours of a user&#39;s legs. The device includes handles that are used to securely hold the device in place during the exercise time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the exercise according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view in elevation of the device depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the plate of the housing removed. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the housing of  FIG. 1  and components contained therein. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a side view in elevation alternative embodiment of a plate assembly that provides resistance. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view in elevation of the assembly depicted in  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 8  is a opposite side view in elevation of the assembly of  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view in elevation of the assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective front view of the assembly of  FIG. 6  contained within a housing with the front side wall of the housing removed. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective rear view of the assembly of  6  contained within a housing with the rear side wall of the housing removed. 
         FIG. 12  perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  in engagement with the user&#39;s thighs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED. DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to  FIG. 1 , an exercise device  101  according the invention includes housing  102  from which extend ridged arms  105  and  107  which have distal ends that terminate at leg engagement elements  116  and  115  respectively. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the arms are tubular and comprised of a metal such as steel or other metal alloy. Leg engagement element  116  includes tubular sleeve member  128  that receives the end of the arm  105  and secures the end. Leg engagements element  116  has a curved section  120  that is sized and shaped to engage the top of a user&#39;s thighs near a user&#39;s knee and has side sections  125  and  126  that extend downward to provide a opposite inner surfaces that the user can impose a force against to urge arm  105  in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around a central retaining rod. In an embodiment, the leg engagement elements  115  and  116  are provided with a resilient pad on the inner surface to reduce or mitigate abrasion and discomfort that may be caused by the lateral engagement of the user&#39;s knee against sections  125  and  126 . The arms  107  and  107  are further provided with handle regions  110  and  112  that are designed to be grasped by the users when the device is in use. In embodiments, handle regions  110  and  112  are characterized by a resilient pad material such as polyethylene foam. In further embodiments, the handle regions may also include flange sections that have an increased diameter which serve to impede the user&#39;s hands from sliding in either an upward or downward direction along the respective arms. In yet further embodiments, the handle may further include an extension element that extends from the arms through which the user&#39;s fingers and palms are extended to enhance and assist holding the device in position above the knees during use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , on rear surface  150  of housing  102  a lever  160  extends from a. 
     central axle and can be rotated either counterclockwise or clockwise to vary the tension on the arms  105  and  107 . 
       FIG. 3 , a side view of the device, shows the proximal end of arm  107  entering the housing  102  through an opening  155  on the radial end wall  175  of housing  102 . The opening  155  in radial end wall  175  serves to restrict the rotational motion of the arm to a predetermined degree. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  depict the components of the device that create the resistance on the arms. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , a threaded rod  505  extends from a threaded seat  509  that is fixed to the front inner surface  510  of housing  102 . The rod includes a fixed flange element  507  that engages the rear of plate  515  to prevent axial movement of plate  515  toward the front of the housing. The rod extends through plate  515  that is attached to the terminal end of arm  520  and then through annular resistance element  525 . Next, rod  505  extends through annular plate  530  that is attached to the terminal end of arm  522 . An engagement element  540 , which includes an extended flange section, is attached to rod  505  for engagement of the surface of plate  530  and which will apply pressure on the plate as the rod is rotated. Element  540  prevents the adjustable resistance lever from backing up causing slippage with the resistance. Rod  505  then extends through central aperture  575  provided in the rear radial sidewall  580  of housing  102  and engages lever  160  which extends in a radial direction. 
     The manner in which the resistance is established in the first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Lever  160  may be rotated causing threads on the center rod  505  to engage opposite threads on seat element  509  that is fixed on the inner surface  510  of the rear side of housing  102 . As rod  505  is rotated in a first direction, the threads engage and cause plate  530  on arm  522  to be drawn towards plate  515  on arm  520 . Moving lever  160  in the opposite direction cases the front plate to travel away from the rear plate. Annular resistance element  525  is provided between plate  530  and plate  515 . By varying the torque drat is applied on the lever  160 , the resistance between the respective plates and the annular resistance element may be altered. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  the annular resistance element is comprise of leather. In alternative embodiments, the resistance element is comprised of silica composites, rubber, synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, synthetic resin infused with metal, and Kevlar. 
     An alternative embodiment of the cooperation between plates that create the resistance is depicted in  FIGS. 6-11 .  FIG. 6 , shows assembly  601  that includes connector bolt  630  that passes through plate  615 , resistance element  610  and second plate  606 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , extension member  605  extends from plate  615  and is adapted to be received in an arm member. Extension member  607  is connection to top plate  606 .  FIG. 8 , a view from the opposite side of  FIG. 7  that shows the extension member  607  connected with plate  606 . The bolt also passes through rectangular member  650  that limits the rotation of the plates with respect to each other.  FIG. 9  depicts the extension members  605  and  607  that extend from the plate assembly at a downward angle. Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the assembly  601  is depicted within housing  900 . The assembly is connector to the housing by tab  905  that is affixed to member  915  that extends from the front sidewall of the housing  900 .  FIG. 11  depicts the rear of the device with the rear sidewall of the housing removed. The lever  960  can be rotated on the connector bolt  630  to draw the plates together to create resistance. The level of resistance is therefore variable and can be controlled by the user&#39;s lever by may be varied by the user. The rectangular member  650  limits rotation of the assembly  601  within the housing. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the device  101  is depicted as used in a thigh exercise routine. The user  1221  assumes a seated position on a suitable support member  1225  and the device is placed upright on the users legs  1228  and  1229 . The user engages the handles  110  and  112  to stabilize the device while in use. After a resistance is selected using the lever  160 , the user draws his or her knees together and there by applies pressure to the respective inner sides of the leg engagement elements. Next the user draws his or her knees apart, thereby applying force to the outer sides of the leg engagement elements. The exercise can then be repeated. The device therefore allows a user to make reciprocating motions, wherein the knees are drawn together and apart and the device applies a constant resistance on the legs and thereby exercise both the inner and outer thigh muscles. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiment have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and methods of use, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in materials and structure within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.