BACK EZE

Abstract

A therapy device may include a hand grip and a shoulder support. The shoulder support is configured to abut a shoulder of the user while a hand of a user grips the hand grip. A length of the therapy device may then be adjusted to provide a stretch of the muscles of the user to provide relief from a number of ailments including back pain (both mid and upper back pain) and shoulder pain.

Claims

1. A therapy device comprising: a shoulder support; a first length; a second length; and a grip.

2. The therapy device of claim 1 further comprising: an adjustment mechanism.

3. The therapy device of claim 1 further comprising a cuff.

4. The therapy device of claim 1 wherein the first length is slidably engaged with the second length.

5. The therapy device of claim 2 wherein the adjustment mechanism is rotatably coupled to either the first length or the second length.

6. The therapy device of claim 5 wherein rotation of the adjustment mechanism modifies a relationship between the first length and the second length.

7. The therapy device of claim 2 wherein the adjustment mechanism is coupled to each of the first length and the second length.

8. The therapy device of claim 7 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one lever.

9. The therapy device of claim 8 wherein the at least one lever is configured to modify a relationship between the first length and the second length.

10. A therapy device comprising: a shoulder support having a first side and a second side; a first length having a first end and a second end, the first length being coupled to the second side of the shoulder support; a second length having a first end and a second end, the second length being slidably engaged to the first length; an adjustment mechanism configured to extend or retract the second length along the first length; and a grip coupled to the second end of the second length.

11. A therapy device comprising: a shoulder support having a first side and a second side; a first length comprising a first support and a second support, the first support and the second support being coupled to the second side of the shoulder support; a second length comprising a first support and a second support, the second length being slidably engaged to the first support and the second support of the first length; an adjustment mechanism configured to extend or retract the second length along the first length, wherein a lever of the adjustment mechanism causes the second length to extend along the first length; a support mechanism coupled to the adjustment mechanism to position the adjustment mechanism between first support and the second support; and a grip coupled to the second end of the second length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position.

[0021] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of first embodiment of the present invention in an extended position.

[0022] FIG. 2A shows a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position.

[0023] FIG. 2B shows a side view of first embodiment of the present invention in an extended position.

[0024] FIG. 3A shows a back view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position.

[0025] FIG. 3B shows a back view of first embodiment of the present invention in an extended position.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an exploded parts view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position.

[0028] FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of second embodiment of the present invention in an extended position.

[0029] FIG. 6A shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position.

[0030] FIG. 6B shows a side view of second embodiment of the present invention in an extended position.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows an exploded parts view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-4, there is generally a therapy device 100, shoulder support 102, a first length 104, a second length 106, an adjustment mechanism 108, a grip 116, trigger, 112, supports 114, and extender 110. The therapy device 100 is configured to provide various outlets for stretching of musculature of the user as well as treating mid and upper back pain as well as shoulder pain.

[0035] The therapy device 100 is configured such that the shoulder support 102 is configured to abut a shoulder of a user. The shoulder support 102, generally comprises a foundation of a resilient material (e.g. metals, plastics, composites, etc.) with a layer of padding disposed thereover. The padding may be removable or may be affixed permanently to the underlying foundational structure.

[0036] Attached to a second side, or underside, of the shoulder support 102 is the first length 104. The first length 104 may comprise two legs or extensions of material that are affixed by a securement mechanism to the shoulder support 102. The first length 104 is generally a hollow tubular member that is comprised of the same or a different material as the foundation of the shoulder support 102. The first length 104 may have apertures through which supports 114 can be coupled to provide support for the adjustment mechanism 108.

[0037] Further, the first length 104 is configured to be slidably coupled to the second length 106. In one embodiment, the first length 104 is configured to receive the second length 106 therein. In yet other embodiments, the second length 106 is configured to receive the first length 104. The second length 106 is substantially similar in nature to the first length 104. The second length 106 also has a plurality of apertures to receive a support 114 therethrough. The support 114 coupled to the second length 106 is configured to couple to the extender 110. At a distal end of the second length 106, is a grip 116.

[0038] The grip 116 may be comprised of a support mechanism that is coupled to the second length 106 via at least one and preferably two apertures in the second length 106. A securement mechanism is utilized to secure a position of the grip 116 along the length of the second length 106. The grip 116 further has a padding that envelops most of the support mechanism of the grip 116. The padding provides comfort as well as a gripping surface for which the user grips or holds with their hand when utilizing the device.

[0039] The adjustment mechanism 108 generally comprises a trigger 112 and an extender 110. The trigger 112 may be actuated thereby causing the extender 110 to extend. The net result being that the overall length of the device 100 is modified to support a user's needs when utilizing the device for therapy or stretching purposes. In some embodiments, there is a locking mechanism that secures a position of the extender 110 with each pull of the trigger 112, This allows a position of the extender 110 to remain fixed and to set the device 100 at a desired length for use. In such an embodiment, a release mechanism may be utilized to allow the device 100 to collapse and return the extender to a retracted state.

[0040] Yet another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5-7. Here, there is a therapy device 200 having a shoulder support 202, a first length 206, a second length 208, an adjustment mechanism 204, a securement mechanism 210, and a grip 212.

[0041] The shoulder support 202 is attached to a first length 206 which is slidably engaged to a second length 208. The adjustment mechanism 204 may be a rotational mechanism or rotary mechanism. That is, that rotation of the adjustment mechanism 204 causes a lengthening of the therapy 200 by causing the second length 208 to extend from the first length 204. The adjustment mechanism 204 may further have a locking mechanism that prevents the second length 208 from being retracted without first disengaging the locking mechanism.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, the first length 206 and the second length 208 have a tongue and groove feature that allows the two lengths to slidably engage with one another. This tongue and groove feature further prevents angular rotation of the second length 208 relative to the first length 206.

[0043] The securement mechanism 210 may take the form of a cuff that has a mechanism thereon to allow for a size adjustment of the cuff. Such a mechanism may be a latch, clasp, hook and loop fastener or the like or some combination thereof. A position of the securement mechanism 210 is preferably at a fixed point along a length of the second length 208. However, the securement mechanism 210 may be repositionable along different intervals of the second length 208. In some embodiments, the securement mechanism 210 comprises a loop that is sized to accommodate the second length 208 thereby allowing the securement mechanism 210 to be coupled to the second length 208 (see FIG. 7).

[0044] The grip 212 may be comprised of a support mechanism that is coupled to the second length 208. A securement mechanism is utilized to secure a position of the grip 212 along the length of the second length 208. The grip 212 further has a padding that envelops most of the support mechanism of the grip 212. The padding provides comfort as well as a gripping surface for which the user grips or holds with their hand when utilizing the device. In other embodiments, the grip 212 has a recess configured to receive an end of the second length 208 thereby coupling the grip 212 to the second length 208.

[0045] In use, a user would position the embodiment of the present invention up against a front of the shoulder of the user. The shoulder support is configured to abut this area of the user. The user may then secure the corresponding arm to the device or simply place their hand in a firm yet comfortable position around the grip. The device may then be manipulated, via the adjustment mechanism, to adjust a length of the device. As the length is adjusted, the user is to continually leave the device abutting their shoulder and maintain their grip around the grip portion of the device. This, in turn, causes the desired stretching of the back and/or should muscles. Once the stretching is completed, the user can retract the device and remove themselves from the device.

[0046] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.