Patent Abstract:
The body alignment and correction device disclosed herein includes a belt for wearing about the waist of a user. The device further includes removable and repositionable foam blocks to displace portions of the belt away from the user&#39;s body. A method of stimulating abdominal or back muscles of a user of the device by selectively placing foam blocks to space a portion of the belt away from a user&#39;s body is also disclosed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to exercise equipment and in particular to a body alignment and correction device. 
         [0003]    Background Art 
         [0004]    Exercise equipment, particularly when used in an athletic club, has become very popular. Unfortunately, to put it simply, most people who are working out are doing it wrong. They hold their bodies and limbs in incorrect positions, resulting in repetitive motion injuries, imbalanced development of their muscle groups, and other long-term problems that are easily avoided with the correct posture and limb positioning. A body alignment and correction device, which secures the user&#39;s body and limbs in the correct positions when working out, would resolve this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, the invention is directed to a body alignment and correction device. The device provides a rectangular platform, with a front post and a rear post which unfold and telescope into position. Carabiner clips are provided along the sides of the platform. Various elastic and other workout attachments may be clipped to the carabiner clips, and to the upper ends of the front post and rear post, providing resistance for the user during a workout. An adjustable, removable claw attachment on the rear post secures the user&#39;s shoulders and upper body in the correct alignment during the workout. Four retractable caster wheels at the corners of the platform enable the user to easily move the device around the workout area as desired. 
         [0006]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention, 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in the unfolded position, displaying the platform  10 , the front post  11 , the rear post  12 , the claw attachment  12 A, the carabiner clips  13 , the barbell table  14 , and the workout attachments  15 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the platform component of the first exemplary embodiment in the folded position, displaying the platform  10 , and the caster wheels  10 A; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a portion of the belt component of the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the belt component of the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front view of belt component of the first exemplary embodiment in a reverse bent position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the belt of the invention, without blocks. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the belt of the invention with a pair of blocks positioned on the rear or inside surface of the belt. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the belt with blocks positioned on the abdomen of the user. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a block with an enclosure and attachment assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the block of  FIG. 9 , with breakouts showing composition of the block. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a body alignment and correction device. 
         [0019]    The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a body alignment and correction device for use during workouts. The device provides a rectangular platform  10 , with a front post  11  and a rear post  12  which unfold and telescope into position, rotate fully through a 180° arc, and may be locked into position at any length or angle as desired. Carabiner clips  13  are provided along the sides of the platform  10 . Various elastic and other workout attachments  15  may be clipped to the carabiner clips  13 , and to the upper ends of the front post  11  and rear post  12 , providing resistance for the user during a workout. 
         [0020]    An adjustable, removable claw attachment  12 A on the rear post secures the user&#39;s shoulders and upper body in the correct alignment during the workout. A removable barbell table  14  may be secured to the platform  10 , enabling the user to work out with barbells or other hand weights while secured in the correct posture by the claw attachment  12 A. Four retractable caster wheels  10 A at the corners of the platform  10  enable the user to easily move the device around the workout area as desired. The platform  10  is hinged in the center such that it may be folded in half for easy transport and storage. 
         [0021]    A broad, padded belt  16  is provided, with hook-and-loop fasteners  21  at either end. The belt  16  is preferably 3-4 inches wide. The layers of the belt  16  are affixed to each other with snaps  17 . The layers of the belt  16  may also be fastened with other fastening devices such as zippers and hook and loop fasteners. The layers of the belt  16  may also be sewn together with stitching. Flat bands  19 , terminating in rings or carabiner style belt clips  18 , are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the belt  16 , which may be used as drawstrings to tighten and secure the belt  16  around the user&#39;s waist, or secure the user&#39;s body to the device. 
         [0022]    In other embodiments the bands  19  may each terminate in a complimentary buckle member  30   a  and  30   b  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so that the bands  19  may be fastened in front of the user when worn. The bands  19  may also include adjustment buckles  35  so that the bands  19  may be adjusted in length. In other embodiments, the buckles  35  may be used to join or connect portions of the bands that have different characteristics, such as elasticity. A ring  36  may also be attached near the buckle members  30   a  and  30   b  on each band  19 . The bands  19  are preferably 1.5 inches wide, and covered for two-thirds of their length with neoprene sleeves. Divots and snaps  17  hold the neoprene sleeves together. However, in some embodiments, the bands need not be covered. 
         [0023]    The snaps  17  enable the user to remove and replace the bands  19  if they are broken or worn out, or if the belt  16  needs to be laundered. The foam blocks  20  may be positioned such that they are just above the kidneys on the back for users who are flexion intolerant. This allows the belt  16  to only contact the user&#39;s abdomen, not the lower back. Alternatively, the foam blocks  20  may be positioned such that they are just above the hip bones in front for users who are extension intolerant. This allows the belt  16  to only contact the user&#39;s lower back, not the abdomen. 
         [0024]    In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the bands  19  may include an elastic portion  40 . The elastic portion  40  is preferably attached to the belt  16  at the midpoint of the belt length. The elastic portion  40  may be secured to the belt by any means known. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the elastic portion  40  is secured to the midpoint of the belt  16  by stitching  45 . While the entire band  19  may be made of elastic, in the most preferred embodiment the elastic portion  40  is attached to an inelastic portion  41 . The elastic and inelastic portions may be attached to one another by stitching, snaps, buckles, or any other mechanism known to attach bands. As shown in  FIG. 6 , each band portion includes a loop, which is fitted through a buckle  35 . In the most preferred embodiment, buckles  35  is an adjustment buckle which allows the user to adjust the overall length of the bands  19 . In other embodiments, the length of the bands  19  may be adjusted at the buckles  30   a  and  30   b . In other embodiments, buckle  35  may be omitted and the portions of the bands may be joined to each other with stitching. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the belt  16  may include an additional piece of material about a portion of its length to partially conceal the bands  19 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the additional piece of material  60  is approximately ¼ of the length of the belt  16 , and is located about the midpoint of the belt&#39;s length. With such a location, it is generally to the rear of the user when the belt is worn. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the additional piece of material  60  is fastened to the outer or front surface  32  of the belt  16  so as to form a tunnel in which a portion of the band  19 , may run or reside. The outer or front surface  32  of the belt is the surface that is away from the user when the belt is worn. Specifically as shown in  FIG. 6 , the elastic portion  40  of the bands  19  is partially covered by the additional piece of material  60 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the upper and lower perimeter edges of the additional piece of material  60  are sewn or otherwise fastened to the front surface  32  of the belt  16 . In other embodiments, the additional piece of material  60  may be omitted and the tunnel created between the front surface  32  and the rear surface  31  of the belt. In other words, the bands  19  are positioned for part of their length, between the front surface  32  and rear surface  31  of the belt  16 . 
         [0026]    Foam blocks  20  are also provided, and affixed to the belt  16  such that when the belt  16  is worn, the foam blocks  20  are located on or below the user&#39;s kidney area. In the preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the foam blocks  20  are approximately 2.5″ (thickness)×3″ (width)×4.5″ (length). The foam blocks  20  are preferably made of at least two types of foam to provide a firmer base of support nearer the belt  16 . In the most preferred embodiment, the foam blocks  20  are constructed of a first layer of high density foam  22 , and a second layer of lower density foam  23 . The high density foam  22  is preferably 0.5 inches thick, and the lower density foam  23  is approximately 2 inches thick. The high density foam is positioned nearer the rear surface  31  of the belt  16 . Such positioning helps the foam block  20  maintain its shape and resist rolling or the formation about the belt  16 . 
         [0027]    The foam blocks  20  are removable in the event that the user wishes to rely on the pull of the bands  19 . In the most preferred embodiment, the rear surface  31  of the belt  16  which is the surface that faces the user when the belt  16  is worn, may include hook and loop fastener  70  material on a portion of its length to allow the foam blocks  20 , or enclosures or coverings  37  for the foam blocks, to be selectively attached at various positions along the belt  16 . In such an embodiment, the surface of the foam block  20  or its enclosure or covering  37  has a hook or loop fastener on the outer surface that is complimentary to the fastener on the rear surface of the belt  16 . In some embodiments, the front surface  31  of the belt will include hook and loop fastener  70  material on substantially the entire length of the belt  16 . The presence of the hook and loop fastener  70  material on substantially the entire length of the belt  16 , allows the foam blocks  20  or the enclosure  37  having complementary hook and loop fastener  70  material placed on its exterior, to be positioned anywhere on the rear surface  31  of the belt  16 . With such positioning options, the user may easily move the foam blocks  22  to contact the users back or abdomen as desired. 
         [0028]    The foam blocks  20  are preferably placed in an enclosure or covering  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . This prevents deterioration of the foam blocks  20  from abrasion or contact with the user&#39;s perspiration. The enclosure or covering  37  preferably covers all sides of the blocks  20  and includes a closure such as a zipper  38  to allow a block to be inserted and removed. This is of benefit if the enclosure or covering  37  becomes soiled and needs laundering. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the zipper  38  is preferably placed about the perimeter of a surface of the enclosure  37 . In the most preferred embodiment, the zipper  38  is about the surface of the enclosure that attaches or abuts the belt  16  when the block is placed on the belt  16 . In the most preferred embodiment, the zipper  38  ends adjacent to a block securing assembly that is used to attach and further secure the enclosure or covering  37  to the belt. In such an arrangement, when the zipper is closed, the zipper pull or tab is placed underneath a portion of the securing assembly so that the zipper pull is restrained and does not move about as the user exercises. 
         [0029]    The enclosure or covering  37  preferably also includes hook or oop fasteners  70  on at least one outer surface so that it may be attached to selected locations about the rear surface of the belt  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the loop portion of the fasteners are located on the rear surface  31  of the belt  16 , and the complimentary loop portions are on the block enclosure or covering  37 . 
         [0030]    The enclosure or covering  37  may also include a block securing assembly to further secure the blocks  20  to the belt  16 . The block securing assembly generally connects the top and bottom of a block, enclosure, or covering  37 , and is positioned so that the belt  16  is captured between a strap  52  of the assembly and a block  20  and its enclosure or covering  37 . The strap  52  of the preferred embodiment is a length of webbing approximately 2 inches wide and 7 inches in length. The block securing assembly includes a slotted loop or buckle  39  attached directly, or by a web  57 , to the top of the enclosure or covering  37 , and an end  51  of the strap  52  is attached to the bottom of the enclosure or covering  37 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the web  57  is attached to the top surface of the enclosure  37  with two lines of stitching so as to form a tunnel into which the zipper pull may be placed when the zipper  38  is closed. The web  57  may be made of an elastic material. In such an event, the tunnel may be easily stretched and lifted by the user, allowing the zipper pull to be inserted into the tunnel and held secure. With the enclosure or covering  37  positioned on the rear surface  31  of the belt  16 , the strap  52  is positioned so that it is proximate to the front surface  32  of the belt  16 , and the free end  51  of the strap  52  is fed through the slotted loop  39 . The strap  52  is then pulled tight and secured against itself with fasteners, such as snaps or complimentary hook and loop fasteners as shown in  FIGS. 7, 9, and 10 . 
         [0031]    In such an embodiment, the strap  52  has an inner surface  53  and an outer surface  54 . On a first portion of the outer surface  44  is attached the hook, portion  70   a  of the hook and loop fasteners  70 , and on a second portion of the outer surface  54  is attached the loop portion  70   b  of the hook and loop fasteners. In the preferred embodiment the portions of the strap  52  each occupy approximately ½ of the entire length of the strap  52 . With this arrangement, when the strap  52  is pulled tight, the first portion of the strap  52  is pulled through the slotted loop  39  to and is then folded about the slotted loop  39  allowing the hook fasteners  70   a  on the first portion to be secured against the loop fasteners  70   b  on the second portion of the strap  52 . The free end  51  of the strap  52  is thereby positioned at or near the lower end of the block  20  or enclosure or covering  37 . In the most preferred embodiment, the free end  51  extends no more than a half inch below the lower end of the enclosure  37 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the hook and loop fasteners may be substituted for one another. However one skilled in the art will also realize that it is preferable to have the loop fasteners  70   b  positioned in areas that will be exposed to the user or the user&#39;s clothing, as the hook fasteners  70   a  can be rough and abrasive. This observation holds true not just for the coverings or enclosures  37  but also for the positioning of the hook and loop fasteners  70  on the belt  16 . 
         [0032]    To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may place the platform  10  in the workout area, extend the front pole  11  and the rear pole  12  at any angle and to any length desired, and lock them into position. The user may then attach one or more workout attachments  15  to the carabiner clips  13 , or the upper ends of the front pole  11  and the rear pole  12  as desired. The user may secure the claw attachment  12 A to the rear pole  12  at the desired height, then secure the claw attachment  12 A to the shoulders and upper body, pick up the workout attachments  15 , and being the workout. Alternately, the user may secure the barbell table  14  to the platform  10  and work out with barbells or other hand weights, or the user may wear the belt  16  around the waist and secure the claw attachment  12 A to the belt  16 , 
         [0033]    When finished with the workout, the user may extend the caster wheels  10 A and roll the platform  10  wherever desired. Alternately, the user may detach the barbell table  14  or the workout attachments  15 , and remove the claw attachment  12 A. Then the user may unlock, retract, and fold the front post  11  and the rear post  12 , and fold up the platform  10  for transport or storage, 
         [0034]    The device is a flexion extension dominant system, which determines the environment wherein a particular human body will function at its highest level. This theory was derived from the rehabilitation concepts of flexion intolerance and extension intolerance. Flexion intolerance is posterior chain weakness, while extension intolerance is anterior chain weakness. When the intolerance is observed, the therapist can determine the injury trail a patient may have and lifestyle influences such as employment and sports wherein the patient would excel. This information could substantially impact future wear and tear on joints, direction of an athlete in particular sports, and which employment career is best suited for an individual. It is also observed that this may have an influence on the learning styles of various people based on environments. 
         [0035]    It is found that flexion intolerant people have possible damage to the spine where it is advised for them not to crunch or flex the spine. However, they need to keep their abdominal muscles stimulated by weight behind them, such as a backpack or band, or pressure against the lower abdominal muscles. If not stimulated, their posterior muscles will not activate. These people tend to prefer standing more than sitting, and they tend to lean on objects such as tables and counters for relief. These, people like to sleep on the side or the stomach. They tend to have weak hamstrings, biceps, shoulders, upper trapezius, upper chest, lower back, and calves. The common overuse injuries are plantar fasciitis, ACL tears, bicipital tendinitis, low back injuries like herniations, lordosis, and neck issues. Diastasis is also noted. These people tend to prefer activities where they push down, lift a knee, or use their abdominal muscles, such as mopping floors, massage, hiking uphill, and picking up items from the floor or lower shelves. Sports these people excel in are sprinting, hockey, wrestling, kickboxing, and soccer. Careers these people excel in are massage therapy, construction, flooring installation, and cleaning. These people tend to comprehend best while looking down or writing, such as highlighting a book or using an iPad. The belt  16  of the device is worn where it touches the abdominal muscles and not the lower back, or a band can be worn touching the abdominal muscles and pulling the hips backward where a flexion intolerant person must engage the posterior chain. This pull allows for the shoulders and hamstrings to activate properly and develop. The belt  16 , the device, and the cardio attachments can help elicit this force to produce proper body mechanics that traditional exercises are missing. 
         [0036]    It is found that extension intolerant people have possible damage to the spine where it is advised for them not to hyperextend the spine or dead lift. However, they need to keep their lower back or extensor muscles stimulated by weight in front of them, such as a front pack below the neck, or by a band, or pressure against the lower back. If not stimulated, their posterior muscles will not activate. These people tend to like to sit and sleep on their sides or their backs. They tend to have weak quadriceps, latissimus dorsi, lower chest, abdominals, gluteus, and triceps. The common overuse injuries are Achilles tendinitis, Achilles rupture, meniscus tears, quadriceps tears, hip pain, slipped discs, torn rotator cuffs, cervical problems, kyphosis, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel. Hernias are also noted. These people tend to like activities where they stand tall, extend their arms above the head, sit up straight, and hold weight in front of them. Sports these people tend to excel in are gymnastics, basketball, baseball, golf, distance running, tennis, and dance. Careers these people excel in are hairdressing, computer jobs, servers, drivers, and painters. These people tend to comprehend best while looking up or leaning back in a chair or bed. They tend to do better with desktop computers. The belt  16  of the device is worn where it touches the lower back and not the abdominal muscles, or a band can be worn touching the lower back and pulling the hips forward where an extension intolerant person must engage their anterior chain. This pull allows for the latissimus dorsi, abdominals, gluteus and quadriceps to properly activate and develop. The belt  16 , the device, and the cardio attachments can help elicit this force to produce proper body mechanics that traditional exercises are missing. 
         [0037]    The device will improve health care, injury prevention, and rehabilitation, lowering incidences of injury and speeding up rehabilitation. Work related injuries which will be reduced include lower back, knees, carpal tunnel, neck, and headaches. The device will assist in directing people into sports and careers, including military specialties, that are compatible with their body type. The device may help improve sexual enjoyment and fertility, indicating which positions may be most suitable. The device will help with exercise and obesity control, since people do not like to experience pain when working out, and a pain-free workout is more likely to be completed regularly. The device will help with sleep positions and the selection of vehicles, chairs, and other furniture to prevent discomfort, generally improving comfort and quality of life. The device will also improve cognition and learning by informing the user regarding the best positions for reading. 
         [0038]    The platform  10  and the barbell table  14  are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as steel, aluminum alloy, or wood. The caster wheels  10 A are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as steel or aluminum alloy, providing solid tires which are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as rubber or silicone. The front post  11 , the rear post  12 , and the carabiner clips  13  are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as steel or aluminum alloy. The claw attachment  12 A is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as steel or aluminum alloy, coated with a flexible, durable material such as rubber or silicone. 
         [0039]    The workout attachments  15  are preferably manufactured from a variety of rigid, durable materials such as steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, and wood, and flexible, durable materials such as rubber and nylon webbing. The belt  16  is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as nylon webbing. The snaps  17  and the belt clips  18  are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as plastic or steel. The bands  19  are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material with a substantial elastic quality, such as rubber, covered for two-thirds of their length by sleeves which are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as neoprene. 
         [0040]    The foam blocks  20  are preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material such as foam rubber. The fasteners  21  are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as plastic or nylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention. Further on skilled in the art will recognize that when the application refers to foam blocks or block, the reference can refer to foam block alone, or foam blocks with an enclosure or covering or other assemblies to allow the blocks to be secured on the belt  16 . 
         [0041]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables&#39; one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered tube the best mode thereof, those or ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0