Abstract:
A mechanical exercise apparatus for exercising upper extremities, as well as promoting and affecting the natural spinal motions and core stabilization, which relates to the shoulder complex, includes a base to provide stability; a rotator device that is attached to the upper surface of the base; a handle device that is mounted at the rotator device that is slideable; an oval device for repositioning the handle device that is placed in a track fixed in a groove on the upper surface of the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to a therapy and training device to improve strength, flexibility, physical rehabilitation and neuromuscular reeducation of upper extremities, as well as to promote physiological motion in the thoracoscapula joints, affecting the natural spinal motions and core stabilization, which relate to the shoulder complex. 
   2. Prior Arts 
   People who have undergone any type of shoulder-arm surgeries suffer under many symptoms that limit their functional activities. Therapists and trainers eagerly search for a device that can help the client during their supervision and at home, while the client is not under professional assistant or therapy. 
   Over the years, numerous of different exercise machines have been developed to improve the pathological condition in the shoulder region and help the patients with recovery. 
   However, many of these equipments are built in complexities that require the professional supervision of a therapist or a trainer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,586, issued to Horvath, discloses a complicated exercise equipment, involving a “tower” that is a combination of frame, which are attached to the “bench” and are independently rotatable. 
   Not only that most of the exercise equipments require supervision, they are costly and for many people not affordable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,586, issued to Horvath, is a great example. 
   Space is another big issue by the most home exercise machines. Many of them require a big space to be placed and stored. U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,098, issued to Miller, is another machine that uses a multipart weight and pulley system requiring big space for training. 
   Addition to disadvantages mentioned above, U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,586, issued to Horvath, demonstrates more weaknesses.
         a—The device is very heavy and not practical for transportation. It is not portable.   b—The rotor base allows only a circular motion and reduces the scapulothoracal motion.   c—Due to the rotor base being fixed in a horizontal plane, the rotor base allows the user only a horizontal motion and limits the sagittal and frontal movements in shoulder completely.       

   U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,823, issued to Walendzak and Millar, is a device that is set together from a round frame, a support member with a pivot ball mounted on the underside of the support member at the center of the round frame. This device demonstrates a primitive form of an exercise machine that demonstrates following disadvantages:
         a—The device is not stable during active use.   b—The device is used only in a horizontal plain. It limits the user in a horizontal motion of the shoulder and does not promote the sagittal and frontal motion.   c—The complicated adjustment of different grips and pivoting balls to change the difficulty of the exercises make the device hard to use for an independent user.   d—To increase the difficulty of the exercise is the increase of the weight bearing position required. This forces the user to perform the exercise in a kneeling position on the floor, which is restricting the users with knees, hips, spine and neck issues.       

   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, several objects and advantages of present invention are:
         a—to provide a simple device and easy to use home exercises machine that does not require a continual professional assistant.   b—to provide a cost effective device that is affordable.   c—to provide a compact, light, and portable device that is easy to store if needed.   d—to provide a device with a unique system that promotes the scapulothoracal motion.   e—to provide a device that allows all three important shoulder motions-frontal, horizontal, and sagittal.   f—to provide a device that has a simple resistance adjustability.   g—to provide a device that will not limit users with additional muscle or joint problems to utilize the exercise apparatus.   h—to provide a device that promotes spinal motion as well.       

   Further objects and advantages are to provide a stretching and strengthening exercise system for upper extremities which easily can be used to improve the natural spinal motion, which is easily attachable at the wall to provide additional shoulder motion and more strenuous exercises for upper extremities and spine, which can be used as a home exercise device for users, as well as a therapeutic device for professional use in physical therapy offices or fitness studios. Still further object and advantages will become obvious from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with present invention an exercise apparatus for upper extremities comprises a base, a rotator means for being movable by a user through substantially 360 degrees, a handle means for being slideable and a oval means for repositioning of said handle means as said handle means being moved by a user, a wall means for allowing said base to be attached at a wall and allowing said base being slidable. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     Figures 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the presented invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the present invention without the top cover. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the present invention without the rotator  23  and handle means. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the present invention without rotator  23  and  40 , resistance means and handle means. 
       FIG. 5  shows a top view of the present invention without top cover. 
       FIG. 6  shows a top view of the present invention while handle means has been slid out. 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the oval means. 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the handle means. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the present invention with the wall means. 
       FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  show a perspective view of the present invention with additional embodiments. 
   

   DRAWINGS 
   Reference Numbers 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               20 
               base 
             
             
               21 
               track 
             
             
               22 
               top-cover 
             
             
               23 
               rotator 
             
             
               24 
               handle 
             
             
               25 
               top-handle 
             
             
               26 
               adjustment-knob 
             
             
               27 
               adjustment-knob 
             
             
               28 
               body 
             
             
               29 
               tongue 
             
             
               30 
               slide 
             
             
               31 
               slide 
             
             
               32 
               oval-stand 
             
             
               33 
               belt 
             
             
               34 
               washer 
             
             
               35 
               roller 
             
             
               36 
               spring 
             
             
               37 
               washer 
             
             
               38 
               spring 
             
             
               39 
               spring 
             
             
               40 
               rotator 
             
             
               41 
               neck 
             
             
               42 
               antifriction ball 
             
             
               43 
               upper surface 
             
             
               44 
               circular-cutout 
             
             
               45 
               shaft 
             
             
               46 
               adjustment-knob 
             
             
               47 
               bottom 
             
             
               48 
               frame 
             
             
               49 
               central-blade 
             
             
               50 
               hinge 
             
             
               51 
               hinge 
             
             
               52 
               bolt 
             
             
               53 
               base-hole 
             
             
               54 
               base-hole 
             
             
               55 
               mounting peg 
             
             
               56 
               mounting peg 
             
             
               57 
               circular stand 
             
             
               58 
               handle 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred Embodiment 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1  preferred embodiment of the invention has a base  20 , an upper surface  43 , a top-cover  22 , a track  21  for receiving an oval means B (not shown) respectively, to be described in further detail later herein is fixed to a groove that is carved approximately in the middle line of base  20 , a rotator means A for being movable by a user through substantially 360 degrees, which may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise, is mounted on upper surface  43  of base  20 , respectively, to be described in further detail later herein. 
   Furthermore,  FIG. 1  shows a pair of base-holes  53  and  54 , are used to receive a pair mounting pegs  55  and  56  (not shown), respectively, to be described in further detail later herein. Base  20  is consisting of any firm material such as wood, high density plastic, sturdy metal, composite material or the like that can be used to provide sufficient tensile strength and load bearing capability. Base  20  is in general square in shape for the preferred embodiment, but could be one of any number of geometric shapes. 
   The rotator means A includes a rotator  23  as shown in  FIG. 2 , a rotator  40  as shown in  FIG. 3 , and an antifriction ball  42  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Rotator  23  is attached on to rotator  40 , which is attached on to antifriction ball  42 . Referring to  FIG. 4  antifriction ball  42  is attached on to upper surface  43  of base  20 . Rotator  23  and rotator  40  are in general circular in shape for the preferred embodiment, but could be one of any number of geometric shapes. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  a track  21  is fixed in the groove to receive an oval means B, respectively, to be described in further detail later herein. 
   Further aspect of the rotator means, is a friction device which includes a belt  33  wrapped around rotator  40 , a pair of springs  38  and  39  witch are connecting belt  33  to a adjustment-knob  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  a handle means C is mounted in a gap in rotator  23 , respectively, to be described in further detail later herein. A circular-cutout  44  is made approximately in the middle of rotator  23 . Circular-cutout  44  is continued approximately through middle of rotator  40  (not shown). Circular-cutout  44  is to make space for the oval means B being slidable, respectively, to be described in further detail later herein. 
     FIG. 7  shows an oval means B for repositioning the handle means. The oval means is consisting of a neck  41 , an oval-stand  32  which is attached to the distal end of neck  41 , a washer  37  is mounted approximately in the middle of oval-stand  32  and is rotatable, an adjustment-knob  27  with a body  28  is mounted to the proximal end of neck  41 . As shown in  FIG. 3  oval-stand  32  is placed in circular-cutout  44  and is slidable. Slidability of oval-stand  32  is indicated by the arrow S. The oval means is movable and is placed in track  21 . 
     FIG. 8  shows a handle means C for being slidable as the rotator means is being moved by a user in a circular motion. The handle means includes a hollow shaft  45 , a pair of slide  30  and  31 , a roller  35  which is attached to the distal end of shaft  45 , a tongue  29  which is adjustable in its length is placed in shaft  45  and is stabilized through an adjustment-knob  46 , a handle  24  and a top-handle  25  attached to the proximal end of tongue  29 , a washer  34  is mounted to the distal end of shaft  45  and is rotatable. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5  the handle means is mounted in the gap in rotator  23 . Slide  30  and  31  are attached to shaft  45  and to rotator  23 . A spring  36  is attached to washer  34  and washer  37 . Washer  37  is mounted approximately in the middle of oval-stand  32 . Roller  35  is contacting oval-stand  32 . 
   Further aspect of present invention, as shown in  FIG. 9 , is a wall means for placing and supporting base  20  and therefore the exercise apparatus in a vertical plan. The wall means includes a bottom  47 , bottom  47  is in general octagon in shape with two side equally approximately 4 feet long and a central-blade  49  and the pair of mounting pegs  55  and  56  that stabilize base  20  to central blade  49 , a frame  48  attached on to four sides of bottom  47  opposite to each other creating a slit for base  20  being slidable, about two hinges  50  and  51  or the like attached to the right and/or left hand side of frame  48 , a bolt  52  is fixed on to that side of frame  48  that has hinges  50  and  51  attached. 
   Operation Preferred Embodiment 
   The basic operation of the exercise apparatus is as follows. Referring to  FIG. 1 , to use the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user (not shown) places the exercise apparatus on a table (not shown). The user grasps handle  24  or top handle  25 . The user then actively moves handle  24  in a circular rotation, which may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , as the user is moving top-handle  25 , roller  35  rolls around oval stand  32 . As roller  35  reaches the most convexed curve of oval-stand  32 , oval-stand  32  forces roller  35 , therefore shaft  45  and top-handle  25  to slide out. As the user continues to rotate top-handle  25 , roller  35  roles over the most convexed curve of oval-stand  32 , so shaft  45  will be pulled back through spring  36  and will slide in again. Thereby top-handle  25  moves in an oval motion where it emphasizes the scapulothoracal motion in the shoulder complex. The arrow O in  FIG. 6  indicates the oval rotation of the handle means. 
   The biceps, triceps and shoulder muscles may be exercised as the user pulls or pushes handle  24 . Top-handle  25  gives the user further option to use the device with pronated forearm and creates additional exercise options. All seven natural spinal motions, such as flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, right and left rotation, and circular rotation can be exercises while the user is moving handle  24  or top-handle  25 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  as the user progresses and gains in shoulder, arm or spinal range of motion, the radius of the oval rotation of handle  24  can be increased. This may happen by loosening adjustment-knob  46  and increasing the length of tongue  29 . Another way, as shown in  FIG. 3  may be by loosening adjustment-knob  27  and sliding oval-stand  32  towards the end of circular-cutout  44 . To increase the rotational frictional force as handle  24  is been rotating, belt  33  witch is wrapped around rotator  40  generate a braking force can be adjusted through adjustment-knob  26 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 9  the wall mans is for supporting the exercise apparatus in the vertical plane and therefore creating more variety of exercises for upper extremities and spine. The device can be placed in frame  48  and be secured with bolt  52 . Pair of mounting pegs  55  and  56  fasten base  20  to central-blade  49 . Based on users body size base  20  can be sliding up or down within frame  48  and be secured with mounting pegs  55  and  56 . 
   Description Additional Embodiment 
     FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12  show additional embodiments from a perspective view.  FIG. 10  shows the exercise apparatus with a circular stand  57  as an alternative for the oval stand;  FIG. 11  shows the exercise apparatus with additional handle  58  attached to the rotator means;  FIG. 12  shows the wall means only with the central-blade. 
   Operation Additional Embodiment 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , circular stand  57  can be used as an alternative to the oval stand. The operation the circular stand is as the same as the oval stand, except that the radius of the oval rotation is much less. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , one can grape additional handle  58  attached to the rotator means and exercise the upper extremities in circular rotation. The circular rotation may be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise. 
   The main operation of the wall means in  FIG. 12  remains the same as mentioned in operation preferred embodiment. The wall means in  FIG. 12  is for stabilizing base  20  in a vertical plane on a wall. It allows the base to slide up or down based on the users body size. 
   CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that my present invention can be used to exercise the upper extremities, improve scapulothoracal motion and promote spinal motion, can be used in vertical, horizontal and sagittal plane to allow physiological motions in the joints, and can be used as an easy and convenient home exercise machine. Furthermore, the exercise apparatus has the additional advantages in that
         it provides a simple device and easy to use home exercise apparatus that does not require a continual professional assistant.   it provides a cost effective exercise apparatus that is affordable.   it provides a compact, light, and portable exercise apparatus that is easy to store if needed.   it promotes the scapulothoracal motion with a unique system.   it allows all three important shoulder motions frontal, horizontal, and sagittal.   it provides a simple resistance adjustability.   it is adjustable to any body size and level of condition.   it allows users with additional muscle or joint problems in upper or lower extremities and spine to benefit from it.   it promotes spinal motion.   it is accessible for everyone.       

   Although the description above contains many specificities of the present invention, it is to be understood that these should not limit the scope of the invention but as merely provide illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention. 
   For example, the base, the rotators, the handles and the wall means can be made of any firm materials, such as wood, high density plastic, sturdy metal, composite material or the like that can be used to provide sufficient tensile strength and load bearing capability; the base and the wall means can have any size and one of number of geometric shapes, such as circular, oval, square, trapezoidal, ect. 
   The rotators can be made of the same or different material than the base; the rotators can have any size and one of number of geometric shapes, such as circular, oval, square, trapezoidal, ect.; the handles can have any size and any shape, such as straight, curve, sphere, oval, ect.; the shaft and the tongue can be one piece without an adjustment knob. 
   Although the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment or embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and other legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given or other suitable modifications, variations, and equivalents.