Abstract:
An elongated exercise and rehabilitation device for exercising limb members, the elongated device having a first-half resistance portion which is connected to a second half body limb support portion, wherein the first half resistance portion has a peripheral array of resistance band anchor points disposed therearound, and a peripheral-location-adjustable resistance band is securable across the first-half resistance portion to enable a body portion limb to be supported by the second half body limb support portion and to be controllably resisted against movement by a resistance band extending adjustably across the first-half portion thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to portable exercise and rehabilitation apparatus and more particularly to arrangements for conditioning, rehabilitating and healing body limbs such as arms, legs, ankles and feet. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Art 
         [0004]    Injuries to body limbs, such as for example, bone spurs, shin splints, bone breaks, joint damage, sprains, strains and tears of ligaments, tendons and muscles are common amongst both the young and the old. 
         [0005]    Strengthening for example, foot and lower leg muscles to help rehabilitate, improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and relieve pain associated with a wide range of physical issues often are helped by “pin point” directed exercise of that injured area. 
         [0006]    There is a need for exercise and rehabilitation devices which in injured individual may utilize on his or her own time and also use and improve under the direction and supervision of a medical professional. 
         [0007]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a device for the exercise and rehabilitation of an injured patient, wherein that device may be utilized in a medical professional&#39;s office and or utilized by that injured patient and his or her own home. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0009]    It is a yet still further object of the present invention to provide an exercise and rehabilitation device which is portable, adjustable, and may be utilized with a gradually or stepwise changeable array of resistance capabilities associated therewith. 
         [0010]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exercise and rehabilitation device which may be utilized by a patient who is supine, seated, or standing. 
         [0011]    It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide an exercise and rehabilitation device which may be utilized to treat for example, a patient&#39;s ankle or foot, leg, arm, wrist, forearm, shoulder and neck. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention comprises an elongated portable resistance exercise and rehabilitation device for treating an injured patient&#39;s limb and musculature. The resistance device in a first preferred embodiment is of a generally “banjo” configuration when viewed from above. The resistance device has a first end or first half of preferably circular configuration, herein called the “resistance portion” thereof, and is unitarily joined with or attached to a second end or second half of generally elongated rectilinear configuration, which second half comprises a handle therefore, herein called the “limb support portion”. The first end or first-half and the second end or second-half have a common longitudinal axis therealong. 
         [0013]    The first half or first end of circular configuration preferably has a generally planar base having at least an “attachment-permitting” periphery preferably comprising a partial peripheral lip extending upwardly therefrom for at least about 300° therearound. The “attachment-permitting” periphery or in one aspect of the present invention, has a partial peripheral lip on a first side of the longitudinal axis has a plurality of resistance-band attachment points, which are for example, spaced-apart slots disposed therearound. The partial peripheral lip has a second side on the longitudinal axis which also has a plurality of resistance-bands attachment points such as spaced apart slots disposed therearound in corresponding diametrical alignment with the spaced apart attachment point slots on the first side thereof. The attachment slots are preferably correspondingly numbered diametrically across from one another. 
         [0014]    Resistance bands (elasticized, somewhat stretchable members) may be placed across the first half of the resistance device, the resistance portion, preferably between corresponding attachment points, such as for example the slots, placed diametrically across or longitudinally transverse from one another. The successive resistance bands utilized with the resistance device of the present invention may be of differing tension to enable changes in the resistance and enable graduated strengthening of body parts utilized/exercised therewith. The resistance bands may have for example, a “J” shaped hook on each end thereof to enable their secure capture in the various attachment point slots at their respective sides of the peripheral lip upstanding from the planar base thereof. 
         [0015]    In the utilization of the present exercise and rehabilitation device, if a patient were treating for example his foot, his heel might likely be placed on the location thereon where the handle meets the juncture of the circumference of a resistance portion first half. A resistance band would be placed between appropriate attachment points or slots across the resistance portion based between the first side of the peripheral lip and the second side of the peripheral lip. Appropriate pivoting/turning or twisting of the foot about its heel, against a resistance band for example, may be one type of exercise as prescribed by an appropriate medical professional. 
         [0016]    A further aspect of the present invention may include a hinge point, where the juncture of the second half of the exercise and rehabilitation device (the handle) mates with the first half (the resistance portion) of the rehabilitation and exercise device. Such a hinge point would include a hinge which would preferably be lockable into one or more specific angular orientations from being planar with the first half of the rehabilitation and exercise device. Such a configuration would enable a patient to better utilize this device in a supine or sitting configuration. 
         [0017]    A yet further aspect of the present invention comprises a peripherally adjustable resistance-band-height-extending attachment on each longitudinal side of the peripheral lip, to enable one or more displaced resistance bands to be extended across the first half of the rehabilitation and exercise device, so as to permit that resistance band to be placed under that body portion being treated. This could be in conjunction with a second resistance band stretched across corresponding attachment points right on the peripheral lip itself as aforementioned in the initial embodiment, to enable resistance of a patient&#39;s body limb being resistively moved both towards the surface of the first half of the exercise and rehabilitation device as well as resistively moved away from the resistance portion surface of that exercise and rehabilitation device. Such a combination of at least two (an upper resistance band and a lower resistance band) would thus provide the patient with exacting exercise in multiple upwardly and downwardly directions to facilitate pinpoint treatment of that patient&#39;s injuries and concerns. 
         [0018]    A yet further aspect of the present invention may comprise the shape of the resistance portion, that is, the first half of the exercise and rehabilitation device. Such a changed shape may conform to a rectilinear configuration or to an oval configuration to enable certain limited types of body limb exercise treatments to take place as may be needed. A yet further embodiment of the exercise and rehabilitation device would comprise a curvilinear bottom of the resistance half, to enable a backward and forward rocking thereof or a side to side rocking/twisting or a combination of the two to enable a more precise muscular movement/improvement. 
         [0019]    The invention thus comprises an elongated exercise and rehabilitation device for exercising body limb members, the elongated device comprising: a first-half resistance portion connected to a second half body limb support portion, wherein the first-half resistance portion has a peripheral array of resistance band anchor points disposed therearound; a peripheral-location-adjustable resistance band securable across the first-half resistance portion to enable a body portion limb to be supported by the second half body limb support portion and to be controllably resisted against movement by a resistance band extending adjustably across the first-half portion thereof. 
         [0020]    The first-half resistance portion may have a peripheral lip extending at least partially peripherally therearound. The peripheral lip preferably has a plurality of anchor points arranged therearound. The peripheral lip on a first side of the first half resistance portion have a corresponding array of anchor points to an array of anchor points on a second side of the peripheral lip of the first half resistance portion. The anchor points may comprise slots extending across the peripheral lip. 
         [0021]    Each resistance band may have a “J” shaped hook on each end thereof. The “J” shaped hook on each end of a resistance band engages the anchor point in the peripheral lip. The first half and the second half may be connected to one another by a hinge. The hinge is preferably lockable to secure angularity between the first half and the second half of the elongated exercise and rehabilitation device. A peripherally adjustable resistance band elevating-member may be arrangeable on each lateral side of the first half, to enable a body portion to have a resistance band arranged against an upper side and a lower side of a body portion being exercised and rehabilitated. The elongated exercise and rehabilitation device for exercising body limb members may have a planar base. The resistance portion may in another embodiment, have a curvilinear base. 
         [0022]    The invention also comprises a process for the adjustable exercise and stepped rehabilitation of a body part comprising one or more of the following steps of: arranging a resistance portion and a limb support portion together to comprise a body part exercise and rehabilitate device, to enable a body part to be supported and movement-resisted thereon; attaching a resistance band transversely across a defined peripheral portion of the resistance portion of the device to enable a body part to be biased against and exercised thereby, when a body part is placed and moved thereagainst; articulating the resistance portion with respect to the limb support portion of the exercise and rehabilitation device to enable a user thereof to be positioned supinely; placing a second resistance band across the resistance portion of the device to enable a body part to be resisted against movement both towards and away from the resistance portion of the exercise and rehabilitation device; arranging a curvilinear base onto a bottom portion of the resistance portion of the exercise and rehabilitation device to enable a body part to be moved against transverse and/or longitudinal resistance. 
         [0023]    The invention may also comprise a method of enabling adjustable exercise and rehabilitation of musculature of a human body on an exercise and rehabilitation device, comprising one or more of the following steps of: arranging a resistance portion and a resting portion on the device, to enable the adjustable resistive exercise of human musculature; stretching at least one first resistance band across the resistance portion of the device between a set of spaced-apart access points on the resistance portion of the device to enable a body limb to be placed between the at least one first resistance band and a surface portion of the resistance portion of the device; stretching at least one second resistance band across the resistance portion of the device between a set of spaced-apart access points on the resistance portion of the device to enable a body limb to be placed between the at least one second resistance band and a surface portion of the resistance portion of the device, wherein the second at least one resistance band has a tension which may be different from the at least one first resistance band, and wherein the first and second resistance bands may be arranged to receive a body limb between one another. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the exercise and rehabilitation device constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the exercise and rehabilitation device taken along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a partial plan view of the first half of the exercise and rehabilitation device shown in  FIG. 1 , with a plurality of resistance bands secured to a number of attachment points (slots) on a peripheral lip of that device; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the exercise and rehabilitation device, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with a patient&#39;s leg extending thereabove, with a foot being exercised by a resistance band extending across the resistance portion or first-half of that device; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the exercise and rehabilitation device showing a patient&#39;s foot being exercised under a resistance band stretched across the first half portion of that exercise and rehabilitation device; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention, showing a hinge arrangement between the first half and the second half of that exercise and rehabilitation device as shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an end view of a further embodiment of the exercise and rehabilitation device, showing an arrangement of attachment arms to enable multi-directional utilization of an elevated resistance band and a lower resistance band each extending across the resistance portion of that exercise and rehabilitation device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Referring now to drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , the present invention is shown which comprises an elongated portable resistance exercise and rehabilitation device  10  for treating an injured patient&#39;s limb and musculature. The resistance device  10  in a first preferred embodiment is of a generally “banjo” configuration when viewed from above, as represented in  FIG. 1 . The resistance device  10  has a first end or first half  12  of preferably circular configuration, herein called the “resistance portion” thereof, and is unitarily joined with or attached to a second end or second half  14 , of generally elongated rectilinear configuration, which second half comprises a handle therefore, herein called the “limb support portion”. The first end or first-half  12  and the second end or second half  14  have a common longitudinal axis “L” therealong. 
         [0033]    The first half or first end  12  of circular configuration has a generally planar base  16  having an engagement-permitting periphery, preferably in one preferred aspect thereof, comprising at least a partial peripheral lip  18  extending upwardly therefrom, for preferably at least about 300° therearound, as best represented in  FIG. 1 . The engagement-permitting periphery, in this aspect, the partial peripheral lip  18  on a first side  20  of the longitudinal axis has a plurality of resistance-band attachment points  22 , which are for example, spaced-apart slots disposed therearound. The partial peripheral lip  18  has a second side  24  on the longitudinal axis “L” which also has a plurality of resistance-bands attachment points  26  such as spaced apart slots disposed therearound in corresponding diametrical alignment with the spaced apart attachment point slots  22  on the first side  20  thereof. The attachment slots  22  and  26  are preferably correspondingly numbered diametrically across from one another. 
         [0034]    A resistance band  30  may be placed across the first half  12  of the resistance device  10 , the “resistance portion”, preferably between corresponding attachment points  22  and  26 , such as the slots, placed diametrically across or longitudinally transverse from one another, as represented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Successive resistance bands  30  may be utilized with the resistance device  10  of the present invention may be of differing tension to enable changes in the resistance and enable graduated strengthening of body parts utilized therewith. The resistance bands  30 , as shown in multiple peripheral anchor points  26 , for example in  FIG. 3 , may have for example, a “J” shaped hook  32  on each end thereof to enable their secure capture in the various attachment point slots  22  and  26 , at their respective sides  20  and  24  of the peripheral lip  18  upstanding from the planar base  16  thereof. It is to be noted that the peripheral lip  18  provides those attachment points  22  and  26  elevated from the planar base  16 . A further aspect and embodiment of the present invention, not shown herein, may eliminate the raised peripheral lip  18  yet facilitate attachment points along the periphery of the planar base  16 . The engagement periphery in a further embodiment may comprise eyehooks  27 , or slots  29  peripherally disposed about the circumference of the resistance portion  12 , as represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively. The resistance portion  12  in yet a further aspect thereof, may have a curvilinear base  31 , as represented by the dashed lines in  FIG. 2 . Such a curvilinear base  31  may be somewhat hemispherical or curved only transversely or longitudinally, to permit muscle manipulation in multiple quadrants singularly or simultaneously. 
         [0035]    In the utilization of the present exercise and rehabilitation device, if a patient were treating his foot “F”, his heel “H” might likely be placed on the location thereon where the handle  14  meets the juncture “J” of the circumference of a resistance portion first half  12 , as represented in  FIG. 4  and in  FIG. 1 . A resistance band  30  would be placed between appropriate attachment points or slots  22  and  26  across the resistance portion  12  based between the first side  20  of the peripheral lip  18  and the second side  24  of the peripheral lip  18 , as represented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Appropriate pivoting/turning or twisting of the foot “F” about its heel “H” for example, may be one type of exercise as prescribed by an appropriate medical professional. 
         [0036]    A further aspect of the present invention may include a hinge point, where the juncture of the second half  14  of the exercise and rehabilitation device  10  (the handle) mates with the first half  12  (the resistance portion) of the rehabilitation and exercise device  10 , as represented in a sectional view of  FIG. 6 . Such a hinge point would include a hinge  36  which would preferably be lockable into one or more specific angular orientations from being planar with the first half  12  of the rehabilitation and exercise device  10 . Such a configuration would enable a patient to utilize this device in a supine or sitting configuration. 
         [0037]    A yet further aspect of the present invention as represented in  FIG. 7 , which comprises a peripherally adjustable resistance-band-extending attachment  40  on each longitudinal (lateral) side of the peripheral lip  18 , to enable one or more resistance bands  42  to be displaceably extended across the first half of the rehabilitation and exercise device, so as to permit that resistance band to be placed under that body portion “F” being treated, as represented in  FIG. 7 . This could be in conjunction with a second resistance band stretched across corresponding attachment points right on the peripheral lip  18  itself, also represented in  FIG. 7 , and as represented aforementioned in the initial embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , to enable resistance of a patient&#39;s body limb being resistively moved both towards the surface of the base  16  of the first half  12  of the exercise and rehabilitation device  10  as well as resistively moved away from the resistance portion surface of that exercise and rehabilitation device  10 , as represented by arrow “A”, in  FIG. 7 . Such a combination of at least two (an upper resistance band and a lower resistance band) would thus provide the patient with exacting exercise in multiple upwardly and downwardly directions to facilitate pinpoint treatment of that patient&#39;s injuries and concerns. 
         [0038]    A yet further aspect of the present invention may comprise the shape of the resistance portion, that is, the first half  12  of the exercise and rehabilitation device  10 . Such a changed shape may conform to a rectilinear configuration or to an oval configuration, not shown herein, to enable certain limited types of body limb exercise treatments to take place as may be needed, with or without the inventive anchor-point-raising-means raised peripheral lip as desired.