Patent Publication Number: US-7223218-B2

Title: Muscle strengthening device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to an exercise apparatus for strengthening muscles. Specifically, the invention relates to an exercise apparatus that strengthens the user&#39;s forearm and wrist muscles, thereby improving the user&#39;s swing in sports that utilize a swinging motion, such as golf, tennis or baseball. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many athletes who participate in sports such as golf, tennis, or baseball wish to increase the power of their swing. The prior art has recognized the importance of muscle strengthening to achieve this goal, and there are a number of exercising devices known in the prior art that are devoted to strengthening the muscles used in a swinging motion. None of these devices, however, have become widely used. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,013 to Wolf shows an “apparatus . . . directed towards improving the strength and endurance of the muscles of the axial skeleton and lower extremities while instilling proper swing dynamics.” Col. 3, lines 26–29. “[T]he user stands on support base  10  with the extensible support attachment  8  across his/her shoulders, with his/her hands gripping the extensible support attachment, and with the axial extensible support  6  thus supported by his/her shoulders and arms. While positioned in this manner, the user simulates the body movements of a golf stroke. The attachment assembly  8  facilitates rotation about the first rotational axis  2  and the second rotational axis  4  of the hips and shoulders, respectively, of the exerciser/golfer.” Col. 3, lines 33–41. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,184 B2 to Kim teaches a swing exerciser that has a handle  10 , a slotted track  20 , and a resistance cord  15  extending between the handle  10  and a pulley  35  that moves along the track  20  as the swing proceeds. “Pulley  35  starts at the top of track  20  . . . at the beginning of a swing exercise and moves to the bottom of track  20  as the swing approaches the hitting region . . . . This movement of pulley  35  down track  20  is resisted so that the exerciser has to apply force to handle  10  to overcome the resistance and thereby exercise and strengthen the muscles used in executing the swing.” Col. 2, lines 52–59. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,925 to Kock and Schuster discloses two mechanisms, one for handgripping and one for forearm twisting and wrist casting. The mechanism for handgripping “utilizes an extension spring connected via cable to a pivoting arm with a gripping handle. Squeezing this movable handle against a parallel fixed handle causes the cable to stretch the extension spring which thereby provides the resistance force.” Col. 3, lines 26–30. The tension on the cable and the gripping stroke length are adjustable. The mechanism for forearm twisting and wrist casting uses a “friction disk to provide torsional resistance. The fixed handle of the gripping mechanism serves as the handle for the twisting and casting motions. The entire handle system rotates about the axis of the gripping mechanism cable . . . . This arrangement permits the simultaneous operation of the gripping mechanism and the rotatable friction disk mechanism during certain exercises,” Col. 3, lines 42–50, and “simulates a casting motion . . . [that is used] in tennis strokes, golf swings and the like.” Col. 6, lines 1–3. 
   The present invention is an improvement over the prior art because it permits adjustment in three planes, and therefore adjusts to each user&#39;s particular height, arm length, and torso length, as well as each user&#39;s individual stance for a given sport. The ability to adjust the apparatus in three planes means that a user is able to focus on the development of sport-specific muscles by adjusting the apparatus to mimic the swing used for a particular sport. Specifically, the invention mimics the swinging motion involved in sports such as golf, tennis, or baseball by rotating the hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders, thereby strengthening the muscles used in the swinging motion and increasing the power of the user&#39;s swing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is a novel exercise apparatus that strengthens and enhances neuromuscular coordination and performance by mimicking the specific positions used in various sports, particularly, but not limited to, those sports that require the use of clubs, racquets, or bats. Specifically, the apparatus focuses on strengthening the forearm and wrist muscles. The apparatus adjusts to the user&#39;s height and is also adjustable in or relative to the coronal and sagittal planes of the user&#39;s body so as to permit use in a wide variety of stance positions. 
   The present exercise apparatus comprises an extensible support, a first cam assembly, and a second cam assembly. The extensible support has first and second ends. The height of the extensible support is adjustable to accommodate the user&#39;s height. The first and second cam assemblies are adjustably connected to the first end of the extensible support such that the orientation of the assemblies is adjustable within the sagittal plane of the user&#39;s body so as to accommodate a position of the user&#39;s arms in a specific sports stance. The first and second cam assemblies each comprise a support, a cam, a handle, and a resistive band. Each support is connected to the first end of the extensible support. The supports are adjacent to each other. Each cam is rotatably connected to the corresponding support and rotates in a first direction. Each handle is adjustably connected to the corresponding cam so that the handle can be adjusted relative to the sagittal or coronal planes of the body. The adjustable handle permits the exercise equipment to be used for muscle training for a variety of sports by enabling the user to approximate the orientation of the hands used to grip a particular piece of sports equipment, such as a club, bat, or racquet. Each resistive band is connected to the corresponding cam and is tensioned in the first direction. In an embodiment, the resistive bands are of equal resistance. In another embodiment, the resistive bands are interchangeable with additional pairs of resistive bands of either greater or lesser resistance. 
   In an embodiment, the first and second cam assembly each further comprise a pair of anchors and a pair of locking mechanisms. A first member of each anchor pair is attached to the cam and a second member of the anchor pair is attached to the second end of the support. A first locking mechanism is attached to the first end of the resistive band and the second locking mechanism is attached to the second end of the resistive band. The first locking mechanism lockably engages the first anchor member and the second locking mechanism lockably engages the second anchor member. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second locking mechanisms are a first and second plastic spools, each spool having a hole in a center through which an end of the resistive band is inserted. The first spool lockably engages the first anchor member by sliding into an opening in the first anchor member. The second spool lockably engages the second anchor member by sliding into an opening in the second anchor member. The resistive bands are of a length such that when the first and the second locking mechanisms lockably engage the first and the second anchor members, respectively, the resistive band is taut. 
   In an embodiment, the second end of the extensible support is attached to a base, the base having a plurality of levelers on a bottom surface. A top surface of the base is made of a non-slip material. 
   In other embodiments, the height of the extensible support is adjusted by a skewer having a quick-release lever on an end. 
   In another embodiment, the first and the second cam assemblies are adjustable as a single unit. A connector is attached to the first end of the extensible support and is positioned in between the first and the second supports. A bolt extends through the first support, the connector, and the second support. A cam lock on an end of the bolt allows the position of the cam assemblies to be adjusted as a single unit within the sagittal plane. 
   Still in other embodiments, a first handle mount is attached to a face of the first cam, the first handle being adjustably connected to the first handle mount. A second handle mount is attached to a face of the second cam, the second handle being adjustably connected to the second handle mount. The position of the handles in the handle mounts is adjustable relative to the sagittal or coronal plane of the user&#39;s body in order to permit the exercise equipment to be used for muscle training for a variety of sports by enabling the user to approximate the orientation of the hands used to grip a particular piece of sports equipment, such as a club, bat, or racquet. 
   And in another embodiment, a first stopping mechanism is attached to the first cam assembly and a second stopping mechanism is attached to the second cam assembly. Each stopping mechanism has two components, one attached to the first end of the support and one attached to a back side of the cam. When the two components of each stopping mechanism come into contact with each other, the cam cannot rotate in a second direction. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a piece of exercise equipment that mimics the motions of various sports, especially those that use clubs, racquets, or bats, thereby strengthening and enhancing neuromuscular coordination and performance. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a piece of exercise equipment that adjusts to the player&#39;s specific sports-impact position. 
   It is still a further object of the invention to provide a piece of exercise equipment that adjusts to the player&#39;s specific height. 
   It is still a further object of the invention to provide a piece of exercise equipment that increases resistance to injury of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues used in the swinging motion by strengthening those muscles. 
   It is still a further object of the invention to provide a piece of exercise equipment that rehabilitates injured muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that are used in the swinging motion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a back view of the cam assembly units attached to a extensible support. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the cam assembly units attached to a extensible support. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention is an exercise apparatus that strengthens and enhances neuromuscular coordination and performance by mimicking the specific positions used in various sports, particularly those sports that require the use of clubs, racquets, or bats. 
     FIGS. 1 through 4  show the preferred embodiment of the exercise apparatus according to the present invention. The invention comprises an extensible support  10  having a first end  14  and a second end  16 , a first cam assembly  20 , and a second cam assembly  60 . Cam assemblies  20  and  60  are adjacent. In the preferred embodiment, second end  16  of support  10  is attached to a base  120 . Optionally, a plurality of levelers  121  are attached to a bottom surface of base  120 . A top surface  124  of base  120  is made of a non-slip surface. In the preferred embodiment, support  10  is made of two lengths of telescoping tubing and the height is adjusted by a skewer having a quick-release lever  17 . 
   The first cam assembly  20  and second cam assembly  60  are adjustably connected to first end  14  of support  10  and are adjustable within the sagittal plane of the player&#39;s body. 
   It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that basic planes of movement with respect to the body are the sagittal plane and the coronal plane. A sagittal plane is vertical and extends from front to back, deriving its name from the direction of the sagittal suture of the skull. It may also be called an anterior-posterior plane. The median sagittal plane, mid-sagittal, divides the body into right and left halves. A coronal plane is vertical and extends from side to side, deriving its name from the direction of the coronal suture of the skull. It is also called the frontal or lateral plane, and it divides the body into an anterior and posterior portion. 
   Cam assemblies  20  and  60  are adjustable within the sagittal plane of the user&#39;s body. First cam assembly  20  comprises a cam support  22 , a cam  32 , a handle  42 , and a resistive band  52 . An end of cam support  22  is connected to a connector or cross bar  90  that is in turn connected to first end  14  of extensible support  10 . Cam  32  is rotatably connected to cam support  22  and rotates in direction  36 . Handle  42  is adjustably connected to cam  32  and can be adjusted relative to the coronal or sagittal planes of the user&#39;s body. Resistive band  52  is connected to cam  32 . In a preferred embodiment, anchor  150  is attached to cam  32  and anchor  156  is attached to the end  26  of cam support  22 . 
   A locking mechanism  170  is attached to a first end  53  of resistive band  52  and a second locking mechanism  176  is attached to a second end  54  of resistive band  52 . Locking mechanism  170  lockably engages anchor member  150  and locking mechanism  176  lockably engages anchor member  156 . Resistive band  52  is of a length and a resistance such that when locking mechanisms  170  and  176  lockably engage anchor members  150  and  156 , respectively, resistive band  52  is taut. 
   Second cam assembly  60  comprises a cam support  62 , a cam  72 , a handle  82 , and a resistive band  92 . An end of support  62  is connected to a connector or cross bar  90  that is in turn connected to the first end  14  of extensible support  10 . Second cam assembly  60  is adjustable within the sagittal plane of the player&#39;s body. Cam  72  is rotatably connected to support  62  and rotates in a direction  36 . Handle  82  is adjustably connected to cam  72  and can be adjusted relative to the sagittal or coronal planes of the user&#39;s body. Resistive band  92  is connected to cam  72  and is tensioned in direction  36 . In a preferred embodiment, anchor  160  is attached to cam  72  and anchor  166  is attached to the end  66  of cam support  62 . A locking mechanism  180  is attached to a first end  93  of resistive band  92  and a second locking mechanism  186  is attached to a second end  94  of resistive band  92 . Locking mechanism  180  lockably engages anchor member  160  and locking mechanism  186  lockably engages anchor member  166 . Resistive band  92  is of a length and a resistance such that when locking mechanisms  180  and  186  lockably engage anchor members  160  and  166 , respectively, resistive band  92  is taut. 
   In the preferred embodiment, locking mechanism  170 ,  180  and  176 ,  186  is a plastic spool having a center hole through which first or second end, respectively, of resistive band is inserted. A locking mechanism  170 ,  176 ,  180 ,  186  lockably engages anchor member  150 ,  156 ,  160 ,  166  by sliding into an opening in anchor member  150 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the first cam assembly  20  and second cam assembly  60  are adjustable in the sagittal plane (relative to the user&#39;s body) as a single unit as shown generally in the figures. A connector  90  is attached to the first end of extensible support and is positioned between cam supports. A bolt extends through cam support, connector, and cam support. A cam lock on an end of bolt allows first cam assembly and second cam assembly to be adjusted as a single unit relative to the sagittal plan of the user&#39;s body. 
   Handle mounts  190 ,  290  are attached to faces  33 ,  73  of cams  32 ,  72 . The position of handles is adjustable relative to the sagittal or coronal planes of the user&#39;s body to permit the exercise equipment to be used for muscle training for a variety of sports by enabling the user to approximate the orientation of the hands used to grip a particular piece of sports equipment, such as a club, racquet, or bat. 
   In an embodiment, the invention comprises a stopping mechanism to prevent cam  32  from rotating in a second direction. Stopping mechanism (not shown) is made up of two components, one attached to a back side of cam, and one attached to a proximal end of support. An identical stopping mechanism is used to prevent cam from rotating in a second direction. 
   In an embodiment, a variety of pairs of bands  52  and  92  are available, each pair having a different resistance and each band in a pair of resistive bands being of equal resistance. Resistive bands  52  and  92  are preassembled to have a locking mechanism on each end. 
   Prior to use, a user selects a pair of resistive bands  52  and  92 . The user attaches resistive band  52  to the apparatus by inserting locking mechanism  170  into opening  151  of anchor  150  and locking mechanism  176  into opening of anchor  156 . The player then attaches resistive band  92  to the apparatus by inserting locking mechanism  180  into opening  161  in anchor  160  and locking mechanism  186  into opening in anchor  166 . The player stands on base  120  squarely facing the apparatus with knees flexed. The player adjusts the height of extensible support  10 , the position of cam assemblies  20  and  60  within the sagittal plane of the user&#39;s body, and the position of handles  42  and  82  relative to the sagittal or coronal planes of the user&#39;s body to approximate the orientation of the hands used to grip a particular piece of sports equipment, such as a club, racquet, or bat. 
   In use, the player grips handles  42  and  82  as he or she would grip the club, racquet, or bat. For a right-handed player, handle  42  is gripped so that the palm of the left hand is on a top side  44  of handle  42 , and handle  82  is gripped so that the palm of the right hand is on a bottom side  83  of handle  82  (not shown). While gripping handles  42  and  82 , the player rotates cams  32  and  72  in direction  36  (i.e., for a right-handed player, the cams are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction) using a controlled motion against the resistance. Cams  32  and  72  then rotate back in direction  37  until the cams are in the original starting position. This process is performed for desired number of repetitions. 
   Resistance of resistive bands  52 ,  92  can be varied and the speed of rotation can be varied. For example, using a lighter resistance in combination with a higher speed of rotation will increase the speed of the swing, while using a higher resistance in combination with a smaller number of repetitions will increase muscle strength. Finally, using a lighter resistance in combination with more repetitions will increase circulation to muscles and soft tissues, which will facilitate recovery from injury. 
   While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.