Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for exercising and stretching muscles. The exercise machine of the invention is built on the concept of stretching muscles under vibration. This allows for a greater ease in stretching muscles, avoids pain, and keeps muscles relaxed and loose during the exercise period.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for exercising and stretching muscles. The exercise machine of the invention is relates to the use of exercises that stretch muscles under vibration. Combining exercise or stretching muscles with vibration allows for a greater ease in stretching muscles, avoids pain, and keeps muscles relaxed and loose during the exercise period. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Resistance training and stretching exercises use a range of equipment, such as weights, springs, and other devices, and are universally used methods of improving the strength and endurance of men and women, including athletes and sportspersons. Modifications and adaptations to known exercise devices were made in order to improve the effectiveness of resistance training. 
         [0003]    The use of vibration applied to muscle or tendon induces a non-voluntary muscular contraction called the “tonic vibration reflex.” Strength training and stretching with additional vibration generally can augment strength and power over and above that achieved with exercise alone. This effect is achieved through the recruitment of additional muscle fibers above the normal recruitment level. In addition, vibration is becoming a common tool used in the retardation of muscle and bone atrophy on earth and in space. Previous strength training investigations utilized electric motor driven vibration devices that cause a non-smooth contraction of the muscles. 
         [0004]    Current commercially available weight training devices rely either on unmodulated loads or full-body vibration. These methods apply no vibrational loading at all, or fail to directly apply specific frequencies to targeted muscle groups. Full body vibration devices are described, e.g., in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0219052 A1; 2005/0250626 A1; and 2005/0219052 A1. The full-body vibration systems can also quickly lead to discomfort and other negative physical side-effects. Other exercise equipment that utilize vibration and electronic frequencies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,214,170 and 6,659,918, respectively. 
         [0005]    Apparatuses have been described that consist of an electromotor with a speed reduction and eccentric wheel. The load is held by a cable which is passed through the eccentric wheel via pulleys. The eccentric rotation will elicit peak-to-peak oscillations and a specific frequency. Vibration from a two-arm handle is transmitted through the contracting muscles involved in the pulling action. However, the vibration is damped due to cable transmission. Such apparatuses are impractical for use by people in training under actual conditions because of the size of the equipment and the requirement for knowledge of electronics and mechanics. 
         [0006]    This invention relates to an improved apparatus for enabling a vibration to be transmitted to a person during an exercise session. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The exercise machine comprises a vibration board, at least one tie, at least one pulley, at least one base with a fastener, at least one sleeve or cuff, at least one karabiner, a channel strut, and at least one slider or wheel. Other components may be optionally included in the exercise machine, e.g., a backrest, a rope for connecting parts of the exercise machine and a conventional electric cord and plug. The ties may be ratchet ties, or other ties known in the art. The exercise machine may also comprise an ottoman accessory for use in exercises where the legs placed straight in front of a user. 
         [0008]    The invention also relates to a method of using an exercise machine. This method comprises sitting on the vibration board of the exercise machine, securing the at least one sleeve or cuff with the at least one fastener, tying the at least one ratchet tie until tension is felt in the muscles of the leg or arm, plugging in the vibration board, and tightening the at least one fastener when the muscles of the leg or arm feel loose. The method can further include unlocking the at least one ratchet tie upon completion of the exercise session. The method of the invention can be repeated at least one time in order to optimize a user&#39;s exercise routine. 
         [0009]    The invention further relates to a vibration board exercise stretching apparatus wherein several different muscle groups can be exercised. The configuration of the apparatus can be altered by using different accessories, dependent upon the desired muscle group to be exercised. 
         [0010]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included within this description and the scope of the invention, and are protected by the accompanying claims. Accordingly, the present invention should not be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts the exercise equipment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts the exercise equipment of the invention with an ottoman accessory. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts the ottoman accessory of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts a user exercising in a sitting position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a user exercising using the ottoman accessory. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a user exercising in a standing position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts another illustration of the exercise equipment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Methods and systems consistent with the present invention allow for a person to exercise using an apparatus that employs vibration. In addition to providing a means for exercise, these systems and methods also provide for more efficient and healthy ways of exercising. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  depicts a system  100  suitable for practicing the methods consistent with the present invention. The system  100  includes a vibration board  105 , at least one tie  110 , at least one pulley  115 , at least one base  120  with a fastener  125 , at least one sleeve or cuff  130 , at least one karabiner  135 , a channel strut  140 , and at least one slider  145 .  FIG. 1  also shows the at least one fastener  125  positioned on top of the at least one base  120 . Alternatively, the slider  145  can be replaced by a wheel  745 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , for use on different types of flooring. In addition, the channel strut  140  may be adjustable back and forth to obtain a negative angle of stretching. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  also shows that the exercise system may also include a backrest  150 . The backrest  150  may be adjustable and padded. The backrest  150  may also have an adjustable strap  155  at knee level. The knee strap  155  may provide support and resistance. The backrest can have an additional security strap at the thigh level (not shown). The at least one tie  110  can be a ratchet tie. The at least one fastener is used to secure at least one sleeve, or cuff  130  around a leg or arm. The sleeve, or cuff,  130  may be padded. Alternatively, the vibration board  105  can be electric and can be plugged into an electrical source with a conventional electric cord and plug  160 . 
         [0022]    The exercise system further includes a rope  165 , which attaches the at least one base to the at least one ratchet tie  110 . The rope  165  is threaded through the at least one pulley  115  and is attached to the at least one ratchet tie  110 . The at least one ratchet tie  110  and at least one pulley  115  are attached to the channel strut  140 . The channel strut  140  has holes  170  for adjusting the at least one pulley  115 . The at least one pulley  115  is attached to the channel strut  140  by a pin  175 . 
         [0023]    The rope  165  is attached in the other end to the at least one karabiner  135  The at least one karabiner is then attached to the at least one base  120 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . At least one slider  145  is located on the bottom of the at least one base  145 , as also shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the slider  145  can be replaced by a wheel  745 , as seen in  FIG. 7 , for use on different types of flooring. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  also shows that the exercise system may further include a second rope  180 , which may be used for a second stretching position. This rope is fed through a large pulley  185  and connected to a handlebar  190 . The handlebar  190  can be grasped by the user during the process of exercising and stretching. The vibration board  105  can also comprise motor and gear system (not shown). The motor can be used to reel in and release the second rope  180 . The motor can be controlled remotely by forward and reverse buttons on the handlebar  190 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  additionally shows that the exercise machine can further comprise one or more wedge-shaped accessories  195 . These wedge-shaped accessories can be placed on the vibration board  105  in order for a user to stretch and exercise the calf muscles. 
         [0026]    In another aspect of the invention, the stretching apparatus can be assembled on a with a commercial computerized system  198  as an additional device. The computerized system can track and display such items including, but not limited to, at least one user&#39;s exercise profile, at least one user&#39;s exercise log, information from a specific exercise session, or can control a specific exercise session. Alternatively, the stretching apparatus can be used as a stand-alone or independent stretching machine, under control of the user. 
         [0027]    In another aspect of the invention, the stretching apparatus may include an ottoman accessory  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The ottoman accessory  200  is a cushioned platform  205  with a handle bar  210  attached to a rope  215 . The handle bar  210  may be square or triangular, which reduces the amount of pressure on the user&#39;s hand grip. The rope  215  coming from the handle bar  210  may be attached to a bracket  220  at the base  225  of the ottoman. The ottoman may also have a strap  230  which can be used to strap the user&#39;s legs to the accessory. This strap can prevent a user from bending his or her knees during the stretch. Further, a bolster  235  on the end of platform  205  prevents a user&#39;s heels from sliding off of the ottoman accessory  200 . A close-up view of the ottoman accessory  200  is provided in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0028]    The invention also encompasses a method of exercising using the exercise system as described.  FIGS. 4-6  depict a user exercising on the apparatus  100  in a sitting position, using an ottoman accessory  200  and in a standing position, respectively. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows that the invention can be used by employing a method of exercising comprising sitting on the vibration board of the exercise machine, securing the at least one sleeve, or cuff  130  around a leg or arm with the at least one fastener  125 , tying the at least one ratchet tie  110  until tension can be felt in the muscles of the leg or arm, plugging in the electric wire/plug  125  of the vibration board  105 ; and tightening the at least one fastener when the muscles of the leg or arm feel loose. The method can further include unlocking the at least one ratchet tie  110  upon completion of the exercise session. The method of the invention can be repeated at least one time in order to optimize a user&#39;s exercise routine. This exercise is a version of the “sit and reach hamstring stretch.” 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  depicts another variation of the “sit and reach hamstring stretch” uses an ottoman accessory  200 . For this variation of the “sit and reach hamstring stretch” exercise, the user can sit on the vibrastretch machine with their legs straight on the ottoman accessory  200 . The user can increase the intensity of the hamstring stretch by manually rotating the handle bar  210  of the ottoman accessory  200 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a different type of stretch that can be performed by a user, wherein the user stands on top of the vibration board  105 , bending forward to grasp the handlebar  190  with the hands, and straighten up to stretch the desired muscles of the back and legs. The intensity can be increased or decreased by using the forward and reverse buttons on the handlebar  190 . Alternatively, the intensity of the exercise can be increased or decreased by manually rotating the handlebar  190 . If necessary, the handlebar  190  can be released by the user in the event of an emergency. Alternatively, this stretch can be performed using gravity rather than the handlebar  190  configuration. The legs can be strapped to the backrest  150  using the knee strap  155 . The method of the invention can be repeated at least one time in order to optimize a user&#39;s exercise routine. 
         [0032]    Another type of stretch that can be performed uses the two wedge-shaped accessories  195 , which can be attached to the vibration board  105 . These wedge-shaped accessories  195  can be placed under the front of the foot to perform the stretching exercise. The wedge-shaped accessories  195  can be adjustable so the user can set the intensity of the stretch. This stretch focuses specifically on the calf muscles. Prior to mounting the stretching machine of the invention, the user can attach one or both wedge-shaped accessories  195  to the top of the vibration board  105 . The user stands on top of the vibration board  105  and places one foot on top of the wedge-shaped accessory  195  and the other flat on the vibration board  105 . The user could then switch feet to stretch the other calf muscle. Alternatively, both calf muscles could be stretched at the same time by placing both feet on the wedge-shaped accessories  195 . The method of the invention can be repeated at least one time in order to optimize a user&#39;s exercise routine. 
         [0033]    The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto. While the specification in this invention is described in relation to certain implementation or embodiments, many details are set forth for the purpose of illustration. Thus, the foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. For example, the invention may have other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristic. The described arrangements are illustrative and not restrictive. To those skilled in the art, the invention is susceptible to additional implementations or embodiments and certain of these details described in this application may be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements, which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and, thus, are within its scope and spirit. All patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are fully incorporated by reference in their entirety.