Patent Publication Number: US-11654329-B1

Title: Glute rebuilding device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a United States Non-Provisional Patent Application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/085,388, titled “Glute Rebuilding Device,” filed Sep. 30, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Many individuals have a sedentary lifestyle—commuting several hours a day to their job, sitting at computers or desks for a large part of the day, and watching a large amount of television. Many individuals also have been injured or otherwise have more chronic musculo-skeletal issues that require therapy. A sedentary lifestyle leads to constant compression of the sit bones, lower back, hamstrings and glutes; whereas, other reasons for musculo-skeletal issues may manifest similar symptoms. As a result, serious posture issues and atrophy can develop or exist, which can lead to debilitating and extreme pain, as well as substantially limited mobility. Well-developed glutes and neighboring anatomical areas are the cradle for a strong spine and lower back. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a glute rebuilding device to address the issues caused by a sedentary lifestyle, injury, medical condition, or otherwise. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention described herein is directed to a glute rebuilding device having a main body, at least one slide, and a support. The main body has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, and the second end of the upper portion has a foot rest extending therefrom. The lower portion has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. 
     The at least one slide is coupled to the bottom surface of the lower portion of the main body. 
     The support is configured for placement between the upper and lower portions of the main body to elevate the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. 
     The second end of the upper portion is pivotally connected to the second end of the lower portion by a hinge, such that the upper portion can move between a flat position, at least one elevated position, and an unfolded position. 
     The second end of the upper portion of the main body can have a loop coupled thereto. 
     The device can further comprise a resistance band for coupling to the loop. 
     Optionally, the bottom surface of the upper portion of the main body has a first recess, and the top surface of the lower portion of the main body has a second recess. 
     The support can comprise an outer portion configured for placement into the second recess in the top surface of the lower portion of the main body, and an inner portion configured for insertion into the outer portion of the support. 
     Optionally, the support is a wedge having a base that is configured for placement into the second recess in the top surface of the lower portion of the main body, and an edge configured for insertion into the first recess in the bottom surface of the upper portion of the main body. 
     The slides can be circular. 
     There can be at least one section of compressible material coupled to the top surface of the upper portion of the main body. 
     A method of a user using a glute rebuilding device comprises the steps of: 
     a) sitting on the floor by the user, wherein a first leg is positioned in front of the user, and a second leg, having a thigh and calf, is bent and positioned behind the user 
     b) providing the device; 
     c) placing the second leg of the user on the top surface of the upper portion of the device, wherein the users foot is resting against the foot rest; and 
     d) pulsing the second leg of the user backwards, wherein the thigh and calf of the second leg are maintained at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a glute rebuilding device having features of the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  is an additional perspective view of the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  1 A , wherein an upper portion the device is in an elevated position; 
         FIG.  2    is an additional perspective view of the device of  FIG.  1   , wherein the upper portion of the device has been pivoted away from a lower portion of the device to an unfolded position, showing details of an adjustable support that can be removably positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion the device to achieve a desired incline; 
         FIG.  3    is a side perspective view of a user using the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  1 A , wherein backward pulsing movement of a second leg is shown with a double-sided arrow; 
         FIG.  4 A  shows a first step of a method of using the device of  FIG.  1 A  with a resistance band, wherein an end of the band is placed under a door; 
         FIG.  4 B  shows a second step of the method of using the device of  FIG.  1 A  with the resistance band, wherein the user pulses the second leg backwards; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a glute rebuilding device having features of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5 B  is an additional perspective view of the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  5 A , wherein an upper portion the device is in an elevated position; 
         FIG.  6 A  is an additional perspective view of the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  5 A , wherein the device is rotated to better show the adjustable support that is used to elevate the upper portion of the device, wherein the upper portion is in a first elevated position; 
         FIG.  6 B  is an additional perspective view of the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  5 A , wherein the adjustable support has been adjusted to position the upper portion in a second elevated position; 
         FIG.  7    is an additional perspective view of the device of  FIG.  5 A , wherein the upper portion of the device has been pivoted away from a lower portion of the device to an unfolded position, showing details of an adjustable support that positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion the device to achieve a desired incline; 
         FIG.  8 A  is an additional perspective view of the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  6 A , wherein a sliding foot rest is shown in a recessed position; 
         FIG.  8 B  is an additional perspective view of the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  8 B , wherein the sliding foot rest is shown n an extended position; 
         FIG.  9    is a side perspective view of the user using the glute rebuilding device of  FIG.  6 A , wherein backward pulsing movement of the second leg is shown with a double-sided arrow; 
         FIG.  10 A  shows a first step of a method of using the device of  FIG.  6 A  with a resistance band, wherein an end of the band is placed under a door; 
         FIG.  109    shows a second step of the method of using the device of  FIG.  6 A  with the resistance band, wherein the user pulses the second leg backwards; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a support; and 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the support of  FIG.  11    in use in the device of  FIG.  5 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used. 
     The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise. 
     As used in this disclosure, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers ingredients or steps. 
     All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any system, any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use. 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for using the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent uses and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1  through  4   , there is shown a first embodiment of a glute rebuilding device  100  having features of the present invention. The glute rebuilding device  100  comprises a main body  102  having an upper portion  104  and a lower portion  106 , an optional sliding knee insert  108  slidable along the upper portion  104 , and at least one set of wheels  110  coupled to the lower portion  106  of the main body  102 . In the Figures, there are shown two sets of wheels  110 . The wheels  110  can be any type of usable wheel such as caster wheels or skateboard wheels, however preferably, the wheels are 59 mm soft cruiser wheels typically used on skateboards that are mounted to the lower portion  106  using heavy-duty aluminum trucks. Optionally, instead of wheels  110 , at least one rollers could be used, or a pair of runners or slides if greater resistance in sliding is desired. Runners are the slides that a snow sled slides upon. The slides are shown in  FIGS.  5  through  10   , depicting a second embodiment of the glute rebuilding device  200  which is discussed in greater detail below. 
     The upper portion  104  has a top surface  111 , a bottom surface  113 , and two opposed ends, a first end  105 A and a second end  105 B, and the lower portion  106  has a top surface  115 , a bottom surface  117 , and two opposed ends  107 A,  107 B. The top surface  111  of the first end  105 A of the upper portion  104  has a foot rest  112  that extends vertically away from the first end  105 A of the upper portion  104 . The foot rest  112  is a sturdy wall against which the bottom of the user&#39;s foot is placed. Optionally, the foot rest  112  is permanently coupled to the upper portion  104 . Optionally, the foot rest  112  can have a compressible or soft material coupled thereto for added comfort against the user&#39;s foot. 
     As noted above, the second end  105 B of the upper portion  104  has the slidable insert  108 , and the insert  108  is optional. If the device  100  does have the insert  108 , the insert  108  is shaped like an “L” that is recessed into the upper portion  104  so that a top surface  109  of the insert  108  is flush with the top surface  111  of the upper portion  104 . The insert  108  is shaped such that the “bottom” of the L forms a knee rest  114  that extends vertically from the remainder of the insert  108 . As noted above, the insert  108  is slidable along the upper portion  104  of the device  100  so that a user can adjust the amount of extension of the insert  108 , thereby adjusting the distance between the foot rest  112  and knee rest  114 .  FIG.  1 A  shows the insert  108  fully retracted into the upper portion  104 , and  FIG.  1 B  shows one possible extension position of the slidable insert  108 . Optionally, a lower surface of the insert  108  can comprise a series of notches that selectively engage with a ridge or lip in the recess in the upper portion  104 , so that the length of extension of the insert  108  can be adjusted and when the desired length is selected, the inset  108  can be securely retained into position when in use. 
     As the user&#39;s leg is placed on the upper portion  104 , between the foot rest  112  and the knee rest  114 , the distance between the foot rest  112  and the knee rest  114  should approximately match the length of the user&#39;s lower leg. The lower leg is defined as the part of the user&#39;s leg that includes the knee and extends through to the bottom of the foot. Optionally, the upper portion  104  of the device  100 , proximate the knee rest  114 , can have a compressible or soft material  201  coupled thereto for added comfort against the user&#39;s knee. This is shown in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . 
     The second end  105 B of the upper portion  104  that has the insert  108  is also coupled to the second end  107 B of the lower portion  106  by a hinge  116 . This is best seen in  FIG.  2   . The upper portion  104  has three main positions: a flat position, shown in  FIG.  1 A , an elevated position shown in  FIG.  1 B , and an unfolded position, shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     The flat position is where there the upper portion  104  is folded flat against the lower portion  106  so that there is no incline. Here, the lower surface  113  of the upper portion  104  can be in direct contact with the upper surface  115  of the lower portion  106 . This is the “beginners” position due to the lack of an incline and provides the lowest level of intensity with respect to the movement/workout performed by the user. 
     The elevated position shown in  FIG.  1 B  can comprise a plurality of different incline angles depending on the user&#39;s desire (in some instances as directed by a physical therapist, physical trainer, or other similar professional). The greater the incline angle, the greater the intensity of the workout on the user&#39;s glutes. The different incline angles may be achieved through the use of an adjustable support  118  that can be removably positioned between the upper portion  104  and the lower portion  106  of the device  100  to achieve the desired incline of the upper portion  104 . The support  118  is a sturdy piece of material, either solid or hollow, that can withstand the weight of the user&#39;s leg on the upper portion  104 . Optionally, the support  118  can be in the form of two separate supports  118  that align 
     The support  118  is best seen in  FIG.  2   , where the upper portion  104  of the device  100  has been pivoted away from the lower portion  106  of the device  100  to the unfolded position. The unfolded position is used when the user wants to adjust the incline angle of the upper portion  104  relative to the lower portion  106 . 
     The lower portion  106  comprises a plurality of holes  120  configured in two parallel rows that form different mounting positions for the support  118 . The support  118  has a pair of pegs that extend from a bottom surface of the support  118 , and the pegs are positioned for insertion into a pair of holes  120 . Depending on the placement of the support  118 , the incline angle can be increased, decreased, or alternatively, removed altogether if the support  118  is not used. Optionally, the support  118  can be in the form of two separate supports  118 , where one support  118  is placed in one of holes  120  in the first row and the other support  118  is placed in another hole  120  in the second row. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5  through  10   , there is shown a second embodiment of my glute building device  200 . The structure of the second embodiment  200  is substantially similar to the first embodiment  100 , but with a few differences. The device  200  has a main body  202  with an upper portion  204  and a lower portion  206 , and there is at least one slide  210  coupled to the lower portion  206  of the main body  202 . Optionally, the device  200  has a pair of slides  210 , as shown in the Figures. 
     The upper portion  204  has a top surface  211 , a bottom surface  213 , and two opposed ends, a first end  205 A and a second end  205 B, and the lower portion  206  has a top surface  215 , a bottom surface  217 , and two opposed ends, a first end  207 A and a second end  207 B. The top surface  213  of the first end  205 A of the upper portion  204  has a foot rest  212  that extends vertically away from the first end  205 A of the upper portion  204 . As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the foot rest  212  can either be permanently coupled to the upper portion  204 , or, as shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , the foot rest  212  can be coupled to a slidable insert  213  that makes the foot rest  212  adjustable. Like the knee rest insert  108  in the first embodiment, the foot rest insert  213  is shaped like an “L” that is recessed into the upper portion  204  so that a top surface  209  of the insert  213  is flush with the top surface  211  of the upper portion  204 . The insert  213  is shaped such that the “bottom” of the L is the foot rest  212  that extends vertically from the insert  213 . As noted above, the insert  213  (and therefore foot rest  212 ) is slidable along the upper portion  204  of the device  200  so that a user can adjust the amount of extension of the insert  213 , thereby adjusting the distance between the foot rest  212  and the second end  205 B of the upper portion  204  of the device  200 .  FIG.  8 A  shows the insert  213  fully retracted into the upper portion  204 , and  FIG.  8 B  shows one possible extension position of the slidable insert  213 . Optionally, a lower surface of the insert  213  can comprise a series of notches that selectively engage with a ridge or lip in the recess in the upper portion  204 , so that the length of extension of the insert  213  can be adjusted and when the desired length is selected, the inset  213  can be securely retained into position when in use. 
     Along the top surface  213  of the upper portion  204  there can be at least one section of compressible or soft material  201  coupled thereto for added comfort against the user&#39;s knee and ankle. Optionally, there can be two sections of material  201 A and  201 B. 
     The second embodiment  200  also has three main positions: a flat position shown in  FIG.  5 A , an elevated position, shown in  FIGS.  5 B,  6 A,  6 B , and an unfolded position, shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     Just like the first embodiment  100 , the elevated position ( FIGS.  5 B,  6 A, and  6 B ) of the second embodiment  200  can comprise a plurality of different incline angles depending on the user&#39;s desire. The different incline angles may be achieved through the use of an adjustable support  218  that can be removably positioned between the upper portion  204  having a first recess  219 A in its bottom surface  213 , and the lower portion  206  having a second recess  219 B in its top surface  215  to achieve the desired incline of the upper portion  204 . 
     The support  218  can comprise an outer portion  218 A and an inner portion  218 B, wherein the inner portion  218 B is configured for insertion into the outer portion  218 A of the support  218 . The outer portion  218 A is larger than the inner portion  218 B, such that use of the outer portion  218 A creates a greater incline than use of the inner portion  218 B. This can be seen in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , wherein in  FIG.  6 A , the outer portion  218 A is used and in  FIG.  6 B , the inner portion  218 B is used. The incline in  FIG.  6 A  is greater than the incline in  FIG.  6 B . 
     First recess  219 A is configured to receive a portion of the support  218 . The second recess  219 B is configured to receive both portions of the support  218 A,  218 B, and to store one or both portions  218 A,  218 B of the support  218  when not in use. In  FIGS.  6 A,  8 A , and  8 B, outer portion  218 A is in use (and engaged with first recess  219 A) and inner portion  218 B is lying within the recess  219 B. In  FIG.  6 B , inner portion  218 B is in use (and engaged with first recess  219 A) and outer portion  218 A is lying within the recess  219 B. 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    show a preferred support  318  for use with both device embodiments  100 ,  200 . The support  318  is wedge shaped and comprises a base  320  and at least one edge  322 . The base  320  of the support  318  is configured for placement into the second recess  219 B, and the edge  322  of the support  318  that projects upward is then properly positioned for insertion into the first recess  219 A. The support  318  can be a plurality of wedges of various sizes to achieve different angles of incline of the upper portion  204 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3  through  4 B  and  FIGS.  9  through  10 B , there is shown use of the two embodiments of the device  100 ,  200 , respectively. The user first sits on the floor, with one leg out in front of the user (front leg  300 ) and one leg bent back behind the user (rear leg  302 ). The user&#39;s leg that is in front of the user, front leg  300 , is resting on the floor and bent at a slight angle to help support the user during use of the device  100 ,  200 . The device  100 ,  200  is then placed under the lower leg of the user that is bent backwards, the user&#39;s rear leg  302 . The user&#39;s foot  303  is braced against the foot rest  112 ,  212  and if the device  100 ,  200  is equipped with a slidable insert  108  as shown in  FIG.  3   , the knee insert  108  is then slid towards the foot rest  112  until the knee rest  114  touches the user&#39;s knee  304 . 
     If the device  100 ,  200  is equipped with a slidable foot rest  212  as shown in  FIGS.  8 A,  8 B , then the foot rest  212  is slid away from the main body  102 ,  202  until the users lower leg  302  is properly positioned on the device  100 ,  200 . Proper positioning means the knee  304  and foot  303  of the user&#39;s rear leg  302  is comfortably resting on the device  100 ,  200  as shown in the figures. 
     Once the device  100 ,  200  and its various movable/slidable portions/inserts are in place, the user pulses his or her rear leg  302  backwards, optionally by extending and retracting their leg  302 , where the wheels  110  (or slides  210 ) of the device  100 ,  200  allow the device  100 ,  200  (and the user&#39;s leg  302  resting thereon) to roll/slide backwards and forwards. This pulsing movement facilitates and enables the user to rebuild his or her glutes. This pulsing movement can be repeated with each leg, as many times as necessary, to achieve the desired glute workout. 
     As seen in  FIGS.  3  and  9   , the user&#39;s thigh and calf (lower leg) of the rear leg  302  should be maintained at an approximately 90 degree angle relative to each other, and all leg movements should happen behind the shoulder line of the user (with the shoulder line measured along the user&#39;s back, from the back of the user&#39;s left shoulder to the back to the user&#39;s right shoulder). The user&#39;s backward movement of the device  100 ,  200  is intended to connect the musculature of the buttocks with the lower back and hamstrings, to strengthen the muscles in this region, and to create a lifted, and toned look of the user&#39;s glutes. 
     As seen in  FIGS.  4 A,  4 B,  10 A,  10 B , the device  100 ,  200  can optionally be used with a resistance band  122  to increase resistance of the device  100 ,  200  when pulsing it back and forth. Any type of elastic resistance band  122  can be used depending on the amount of resistance the user desires. One end of the band  122  is coupled to the device  100 ,  200 , such as being looped around one of the wheels  110  or trucks or coupled to a loop/hook  124  mounted to main body  102 . The loop/hook  124  can optionally be mounted to a lower surface of the lower portion  106  as shown in  FIG.  4 A , or the loop  124  can be mounted to the second end  205 B,  207 B of either the upper portion  104 ,  204 , or the lower portion  106 ,  206  of the device  100 ,  200 , as shown in  FIG.  10 A . The other end of the band  122  is coupled to a stationary object including but not limited to a weight tower or a door or door jam as shown in the  FIGS.  4 A and  10 A . Once the band  122  is secured to the stationary object, the user rests their rear leg  302  on the device  100 ,  200  as discussed above, preferably the user&#39;s thigh and calf (lower leg) of the rear leg  302  are maintained at a 90 degree angle relative to each other, and begins to pulse their rear leg  302  backward and forward as shown in the figures. The users back remains upright and straight so that the only movement the user makes is the glute muscle pulsing the rear leg  302  back and forth. 
     Other than the wheels  110 , the device  100 ,  200  can be made from plastic, lightweight metal, wood, or a composite material. Preferably the upper portion  104  of the device  100  utilizes or has attached thereto a non-slip material for easier gripping by the user&#39;s lower leg. 
     Any of the features that are discussed above with respect to the first embodiment  100  can be used on the second embodiment  200 , and vice versa, meaning that the various features are not limited to the embodiment of which they were shown and discussed and can all be combined into a single device. 
     The device  100 ,  200  has the following advantages: 
     The device  100 ,  200  is easy to use and small in size, making it ideal for home use, although the device  100 ,  200  is not limited to home use. 
     The device  100 ,  200  is a simple, but effective way to target the muscles of the gluteal region. 
     The workout for the user&#39;s gluteal muscles can be either increased or decreased in difficulty using the adjustable incline of the upper portion  104 ,  204  of the device  100 ,  200 . This adjustability is important for progressive strengthening of the muscles, as is typical in therapy or “work out” settings because as the user continues to develop and strengthen the gluteal muscles, the device  100 ,  200  can continue to be used and not outgrown by the user. Additionally, due to the adjustability, one device  100 ,  200  can be used by multiple users with differing levels of strength. 
     The adjustable support  218  of the second embodiment  200  is advantageous because it provides two different levels of incline and when not in use, can be easily stored with/in the device  100 ,  200  using recess  219 . This makes it more difficult to accidentally loose the support  218  when not in use. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.