Abstract
The present invention embodiment discloses a stationary closed-kinetic chain free-standing five-piece upper and lower extremity neuromuscular exercise station. The apparatus comprises a rectangular shaped diamond plate steel standing platform as base and counterweight with a welded eyelet and a welded-angled steel pipe flange situated towards one end. A polyoxymethylene (POM) bushing disposes within the pipe flange and receives a round polished steel shaft. An ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPE) handgrip houses steel bearings or bushing. The said handgrip disposes onto end of the steel shaft. A plurality of anchor endcaps disposes onto one end of the shaft for resistive strengthening. The said apparatus serves to strengthen the body core, scapular stabilizers, weakened rotator cuff muscles by the user grasping the moveable handgrip and moving the carriage along the motion directed steel guide rail using body weight to push the carriage along into shoulder flexion, abduction, adduction, or a combination thereof.
Claims
1. The said apparatus consists of five pieces that consists of; (a) a steel diamond plate standing platform FIG. 1 with the diamond design positioned towards the user to serve as a non-slip surface with a fixed steel inverted U-shaped eye-loop 2C situated towards one end of the lengthwise steel platform serving as an anchor point for resistive rubber banding or similar using quick clips, carabiners, hand knots and similar; (b) a steel pipe flange 2A fixed adjacent to the said eye-loop at a fixed angle of 10 to 20 degrees (depending upon the length of the steel guiderail) with respect to a vertical line perpendicular to the said steel platform along the center-line and which houses a female stationary bushing 2B made of polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic; (c) a stationary polished steel shaft 1F that fits snugly and securely within the POM bushing 1H and serves as an inclined angle guiderail that provides for the unique stationary closed-kinetic chain method of neuromuscular exercising; (d) a mobile handgrip 8C that consists of an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPE) tube which houses 1.000 inch inside diameter (ID) stainless steel bearing assemblies FIG. 4 that disposes onto the steel angled guiderail; and (e) a plurality of steel end caps FIG. 5H consisting of a steel cap with a U-shaped hook fashioned of diameter steel rod 5G; a steel cap consisting of a winged eyelet which serve as an anchor site for attachment of overhead rehabilitation accessories such as active-resistive elastic exercise banding and/or tubing and/or a reciprocal pulley system by way of quick connect, carabiner, hand knot or similar FIG. 5H; and a quick-lock shaft collar FIG. 5 that consist of a felt FIG. 5C or plastic interior that slips onto the said steel shaft guide rail FIG. 5B and is adjustable to provide limited said handgrip carriage travel along the steel guiderail and subsequent upper extremity movement and/or lower extremity movement along the said steel guide rail for the purpose of strengthening muscles of the upper extremity, the lower extremity and body core FIG. 6.
2. With respect to claim 1 above a POM bushing FIG. 4F may be substituted in place of the said UHMWPE handgrip with bearings to serve as a more quiet handgrip that travels along the length of the polished steel guide rail as a stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise to preserve passive range of motion of the involved joints and to strengthen the involved muscles when appropriate; and a flat smooth steel plate may be substituted for the said diamond plate steel platform FIG. 1 of similar dimensions which serves as a standing platform 8H for the user and acts as a stabilizing factor when in use to protect the involved joint and involved soft tissues for the upper body, lower body in a plurality of static body positions and/or in a plurality of dynamic body positions such as weight shifting the body weight on to the outstretched hand when coupled with the UHMWPE hand grip onto the steel guide rail FIG. 7 which provides passive range of motion, active-assisted range of motion and/or active-resisted range of motion for the purpose of improving muscle strength and joint range of motion or as with placing the foot onto the UHMWPE handgrip or onto the POM bushing handgrip and applying body weight on to the guide rail by way of the handgrip to serve as an assistive strengthening device for dancers who desire to strengthen the core body musculature while dynamically moving the non-weight bearing leg in support positions along the length of the steel guide rail with varying weight shifts from the weight bearing leg of the steel platform onto the steel guiderail via the said handgrip.
3. With respect to claim 1 above the steel plate standing platform is a steel base of sufficient length, width, thickness dimensions and weight so as to stabilize the apparatus at rest and serves to stabilize the apparatus when in use by the user, regardless of body weight, serving as a stationary counter-balance of the said apparatus which prevents any tipping of the whole with the user in position when the body weight transfers weight from the steel platform onto the steel guiderail by way of the extremity wherewith the combined weight of the user and the steel bar on the said steel plate act conjointly as counter balance to the forces generated by the user when weight shifting onto the said steel guide rail with the added weight of the extremity or said body core when projecting weight beyond the stationary steel base of support to maintain stability of the whole and to sustain the desired angle of motion to the extremity on the guide rail without aberrations of movement in the axial plane which acts to minimize the risk of deleterious forces from being transferred onto soft tissues, boney tissues, surgical anchors and such when in use by the user whose guided activity generates the said physical forces when performing weight bearing weight shifts on the stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise apparatus which produces a weight force onto the steel guiderail that falls beyond the steel platform edge but remains stable and secure due to the said counter-balance design, angle of said flange, design of said steel guide rail of the apparatus for sufficient steel strength throughout FIG. 6.
4. With respect to claim 2 above the steel shaft angled guide rail, steel flange 2A, FIG. 2F, and steel platform serve as a stationary stable platform for human positions such as erect standing, leaning in standing, squatting, squatting and leaning, sitting, sitting and leaning, kneeling, and kneeling and leaning positions whose body weight force transfers from the stationary steel platform onto the 10-20 degree 2D angled steel guide rail (depending on the lengths of the steel shaft) which attenuates the torque forces generated by the user's body weight shift(s) by way of the steel guide rail being fixed to the welded steel pipe flange of sufficient design dimension and welding methods to accommodate the torque forces generated wherewith the flange disposes the said steel guide rail approximately 12 inches by way of the POM bushing 2B which serves as a force attenuating material and with the said properties to be easily be removed (disengaged) from the flange when necessary to relocate the said unit piecemeal when maneuvering the unit on carpet or flooring when a protective padding is not suitable.
5. With regard to claim 3 the said standing area platform accommodates the said steel pipe flange which is welded to the steel platform and houses the said POM bushing and a steel guide rail FIG. 3 that disposes within the said POM bushing by means of inch chamfer FIG. 3B and with an adjacent welded steel inverted U-shaped loop 11 in the vertical plane located on the said base adjacent to the said fixed steel pipe flange to serve as an anchor point for attachment of active-resistive exercise tubing 6D or similar fastened by way of a common carabiner, a quick connect link, a swivel link, a similar coupling device or knot; the diamond plate steel base platform consists of a powder coated surface or painted surface diamond plate steel or flat plate steel which is necessary for the safe non-slip surface while the user is on the apparatus; the steel base platform anchor point is a fixed point situated 8F where it promotes the ideal angle of resistance for the recruitment of active muscle fibers of the supraspinatus; the rotator cuff, the deltoid muscles, lower trapezius, middle trapezius, serratus anterior muscles for the stabilization of the peri-scapular muscles and adds the muscle strengthening component of the apparatus with the resistive banding 6B, 6C or donned wrist cuff weight when indicated by the coach, therapist, trainer and/or user.
6. With regard to claim 3, the fixed in place steel pipe flange is situated towards one end of the said steel base plate and is fixed at an anthropometric angle of said 10-20 degree angle 1H, 2D (depending upon the length of the steel shaft) creates the ideal kenisio-physiological angle for motion to the glenohumeral joint complex and to the scapulohumeral complex with respect to the body core; the said fixed steel pipe flange is angled and welded to the said steel base plate at an ergonomically fixed position and angle from vertical 2D which produces a stationary parallel long-axis for the steel guide rail and a motion guided said UHMWPE handgrip to travel along the guide rail which progresses the upper extremity in guided movement and particularly the glenohumeral joint which is comprised of the said scapula, arm, and hand to move along the complex planes of motion of the shoulder joint which consist of glenohumeral motions, scapulothoracic motions, acromioclavicular motion, and clavicular motions FIG. 7; the said stationary steel pipe flange is fit with a POM bushing FIG. 2F of designed length, diameter, and thickness to provide the specific and necessary support for the said safe, accurate and precisely smooth travel of the said UHMWPE handgrip along the steel guide rail which is necessary for the said safe post-surgical rehabilitation motions without facilitating contractile forces during passive range of motion neuromuscular exercises and for the nonsurgical rehabilitation or strengthening which promotes flexibility to the joint complexes with the minimal of physical stress to the soft tissue structures, and surgical sites, sutures, boney anchors and similar.
7. According to claim 1 above, the exercises are stationary whole body and closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular in nature and are indicative of the manner in which the apparatus is invented for the novel engagement of the neurological receptors of the involved upper extremity and cerebral communication loop with the assisted function of the non-involved side to aid in passive range of motion exercises without soliciting active muscle fiber recruitment of the involved side wherewith stimulating the neuromuscular loop during the passive range of motion phase or phases and while weight bearing onto the involved side which recruits primitive neurological pathways for the aid in stabilizing the scapular muscles, the body core and its slings of ipsilateral and contralateral core stability and conversely distracting the involved upper extremity promotes relaxation of the musculature of the GH joint while simultaneously recruiting said scapular stabilization muscle contractions of the involved side upper extremity and said core slings.
8. According to claim 4 above regarding body motions, with verbal cuing and instruction by the coach, therapist, or trainer the closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercises may be advanced from passive motion to a plurality of active motions with or without resistance by cueing the user to weight shift onto the said steel guide rail by leaning the user's body weight onto the upper extremity FIG. 6 to facilitate, recruit, and actively contract the target muscle fibers of the supraspinatus muscle in a stationary closed-kinetic chain method specifically designed neuromuscular contraction sequencing that the said apparatus facilitates and that the said apparatus promotes for the best available anatomical and kinesiological active movement of the rotator cuff complex along the guided planes of flexion motion, abduction motion, adduction, horizontal adduction motion, horizontal abduction motion, external rotation motion, internal rotation motion, shoulder extension, and combinations thereof with or without weight shifts with or without resistance elastic bands or wrist cuff weights for restoring normal mechanics to the shoulder complexes.
9. The said stationary free standing closed-kinetic chained upper extremity exercise apparatus recruits the said supraspinatus muscle in a neuromuscular manner into an early sequence of independent muscle contractions within the rotator cuff muscle complex (comprising of the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the subscapularis with involvement from the teres major, serratus anterior and the latissimus dorsi muscles) at a timing so as to promote the movement of the humeral head onto the glenoid surface in an inferior gliding motion to further promote the centering of the humeral head on the glenoid surface which therefore facilitates the least amount of encroachment on to the soft tissues that pass between the distal inferior acromion and the head of the humerus thereby protecting the soft tissue structures from impingement or the excessive approximation of the distal acromion onto the humeral head and tuberosities both greater and lesser dependent on the degree of internal rotation or external rotation of the humerus.
10. With regard to claim 4, the said neuromuscular stationary apparatus can be broken down for ease of transport; the said steel pipe flange POM FIG. 2B, FIG. 2F bushing is machined to specific tolerance to 0.001 inch with properties to easily slide without lubrication oils or greases into position (engages) within the said flange and slides easily out of position (disengages) of the said flange without play or wobble 2B; the said steel shaft/guide rail is designed to be inserted FIG. 1D into the said POM bushing to be withdrawn from the said bushing to aid in the ease of relocating the said stationary device and its components as needed by the practitioner or trainer.
11. With regard to claim 1 the motion directed guide rail consists of a polished steel shaft FIG. 3 of specific lengths 3A diameter 3D and quality (1060 cold rolled steel) to accommodate the anthropometry and weight of the human upper extremity with simultaneous body weight bearing on to the outstretched arm and grasping hand FIG. 6 (or, with a grasping cuff and wrist support for individuals who lack sufficient hand grasping function), for the ideal muscular controlled motion of the shoulder complex with the user in standing, squatting FIG. 9, kneeling, or seated on the platform as said counter-weight; the said steel shaft consists of weight and dimensions to provide the physical properties and qualities necessary to support the users body weight for the stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise methods and the said steel shaft circumference is machined specifically to accept the matching bearings and/or bushings for the said smooth handgrip carriage FIG. 4 travel without loosening, wobble, or guide rail deviation from the said angle of inclination without regard to the size and weight of the said user while simultaneously promotes compressive force between the rib cage with the associated peri-scapular muscles and the outstretched hand that facilitates mechanical compression of the upper extremity onto the scapula which in turn facilitates the said neuromuscular pathways to prevent the scapula from winging dyskinesis by way of said neurological processes and pathways from the cerebral sensory cortex, motor cortex, spinal cord, associated peripheral and sensory nerves and body core for motor control of the scapula during range of motion neuromuscular exercises for the correction of excessive scapular anterior tilt, excessive internal rotation, and excessive scapular upward rotation, winging or a combination thereof.
12. With regard to claim 1 the said exercise apparatus human interface handle which is the handgrip FIG. 1G comprises of an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPE) tubular configuration, the interface handle serves as a handgrip with the ideal anthropometry of the grasping and gripping 8C human hand ranging in development from 4 years of age to adult; the said interface handle consists of a specifically machined said UHMWPE tube which houses matching steel bearings FIG. 4, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4E that serve as a non-stationary mechanism for travel of the handgrip on said inclined and stationary steel guiderail along the long axis of the shaft and simultaneously the horizontal axis of the shaft; the said handgrip may be substituted in a variation that consists of said POM tube FIG. 4F without the said steel bearings using the said plastic material that produces a low coefficient of friction for ultra-smooth and quiet travel of the handgrip for well controlled movements 4C, 4D; the handgrips are micro grooved 4A in a tight ( 1/64 In. spacing) circular pattern providing for a textured non-slip surface which is tolerant of repeated cleaning with antiseptic solutions and the handgrip walls are of sufficient thickness 4I to support and attenuate external forces supplied by the user during neuromuscular weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercises.
13. With regard to claim 1 the said stationary exercise apparatus provides for passive and active-assistive range of motion by the user to the targeted said upper extremity glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic joint and body core with the active use of the non-involved side to promote the passive and/or active-assisted motions of the involved side upper extremity or a combination thereof in order to minimize limited shoulder mobility mal-effects, upper extremity swelling, reflex sympathetic dystrophy symptoms, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), shoulder stiffness, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) symptoms, frozen shoulder symptoms for the said passive range of motion, the said active range of motion, and the said active-assistive range of motion exercises or a combination thereof with or without resistance; the said apparatus promotes motion to the upper extremity glenohumeral joints when the user's body weight is shifted onto the said inclined angled steel guiderail and travels with or without shaft locks FIG. 5 when instructed to do so by the therapist, coach or trainer.
14. Healthy (absent of pathology) throwing athletes benefit from the said stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise device when used as a method of training by whole body weight shifting incorporating the proprioceptive neuromuscular structures and muscular slings of the lower extremities, torso and thorax on to the desired upper extremity and thus promoting weight bearing of the humeral head onto the glenoid thus creating the closed-kinetic chain biophysical conditions; the said apparatus, simultaneously produces weight bearing mechanical effects of the glenoid approximating the humerus which simultaneously elicits neurological stimuli for isolating the neuromuscular firing order of the supraspinatus muscle within the rotator cuff muscle group into a pattern that mechanically positions the head of the humerus inferiorly on the glenoid surface (termed centering) to provide the mechanical advantage for specific muscle strengthening and an appropriate position of the humeral head on the glenoid located inferiorly to the acromion to allow for necessary free passage of the rotator cuff tendon inferior to the acromion; the said clearance is provided by the active contraction of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon by way of an isolating neuromuscular contraction exercise to the supraspinatus without hinderance of approximating the adjacent boney and soft tissues; such an encroachment has been termed impingement caused by the premature muscle contraction of the deltoid muscles which easily over power the tiny supraspinatus muscle.
15. As per claim 2 above the said steel bearings with said UHMWPE tube FIG. 4 and POM 4F bushings provide exceptionally smooth administered motion which is controlled in part by the user's partial body weight shifting onto the steel guide rail for the said closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercises; by leaning away from the steel guide rail while maintaining an adequate grasp on the handgrip produces a distraction or an unloading of the joint surfaces which produces inhibition of the neurological sensory stimuli for protective muscle guarding therefore, creating the ideal situation necessary for exacting the necessary passive mobility of the shoulder joint while protecting the surgical soft tissues; in the absence of said surgical factors the inhibition of muscle guarding creates the similar ideal situation for the said passive and/or active mobility of the non-surgical upper extremity joints in the desired planes of motion using the said UHMWPE and POM handgrips.
16. With regard to claims 1 and 12 the said handgrip bearings FIG. 4 and/or handgrip POM 4F bushing allow for ergonomic accommodations of the hand and wrist complex by providing for a flexible motion of the wrist by way of rotation about the y-axis with simultaneous travel along the longitudinal axis of the said steel guiderail for the anthropometry of shoulder passive or active flexion, abduction, horizontal abduction, horizontal adduction, or a combination thereof in standing, kneeling, squatting or sitting postures and positions with or without leaning into or away from the steel guiderail; the said steel bearing unit and/or said UHMWPE/POM bushing alternatives have the distinct advantage of providing an ergonomic y-axis rotational component of the wrist and hand on the long axis of the steel guiderail which accommodates the natural kinesiological motions with variations and normal mechanics of the functioning shoulder complex, body core and lower extremities or a combination thereof with normal hand grasp strength or with the aid of a hand grasp orthotic.
17. As per claim 1, the said bearing handle and the said base plate pipe flange bushing 2F are non-conducting materials which limit the potential discharge of electrical static buildup and discharge to the said steel platform.
18. The said stationary closed-kinetic chain exercise apparatus accomplishes modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) pattern exercises as defined by physical therapist pioneers Maggie Knott and Dorothy Voss, when the user implements closed-chain weight shifts in a specific pattern and footsteps with simultaneous Diagonal-1 (D1) or Diagonal-2 (D2) upper extremity said active motions with respect to the thorax and torso facilitating the necessary body movements for the closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise to create the PNF Diagonal 1 or Diagonal 2 patterns with the upper extremity producing core strengthening and distal mobility of the extremity which is entirely unique and novel to shoulder rehabilitation in the dependent upright closed-kinetic chain positions in the physical therapy profession.
19. With regard to claim 12 the said hand grip and said steel bearing carriage unit and the said UHMWPE and/or said POM bushing variation alternatives, serve in near identical capacities by providing a low coefficient of friction resistance with motions along the said steel shaft; the said bearings or the said bushings are disposed onto the said stationary steel guide rail on the non-fixed end and which is the ergonomically angled stationary component that creates the unique closed-kinetic chain element to the standing, kneeling, squatting or sitting neuromuscular exercise methods and systems for facilitating high repetitions with low resistance passive range of motion, active-assistive range of motion, active-resistive range of motion, and neuromuscular contractions resulting in improved scapular stability, range of joint motion and subsequent muscle strengthening of the involved extremity and provides the practitioner a novel neuromuscular exercise alternative based on differential diagnosis and user needs.
20. The angle of the said steel guide rail is unique with the said angle being precise and proportional to the functional anthropometry of the upper extremity and shoulder girdle and thorax which allows for ideal glenohumeral joint loading and appropriate neutral positioning of the scapula on the posterior rib cage; the said angle allows for the physiologically correct glenohumeral motion to scapulothoracic motion ratio which results in enhanced functional shoulder flexion, abduction, horizontal abduction or a combination thereof promoting and facilitating the muscle stabilizers of the scapula FIG. 7 and thereby minimizing and/or eliminating said scapular winging dyskinesia and subsequent encroachment of the distal inferior acromion onto the humerus which then facilitates the pathological loading upon the adjacent tendons, related soft tissues and bone.
21. The said handgrips provide the practitioner and user with the sound of the bearings (audio feedback) traveling on the bar 4B, 4E which serves to notify the practitioner that the device is in use when the practitioner needs to divert attention away from the user; the said UHMWPE and POM plastic bushings serves to provide a quieter experience when exercising with the device without diminishing the quality and control for said safe passive or active motions of the handgrip on the said steel guiderail.
22. Weight bearing on to the steel shaft with the upper extremity serves to assist the user to retract and stabilize the scapula in the scapulothoracic plane which aids in limiting the said dyskinesia scapular winging pathological phenomena when in use singularly and when two units are placed side by side in plurality for the simultaneous kneeling FIG. 9B or sitting bilateral motions of shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction or a combination thereof whereby the scapulae are captured bilaterally and do not excessively move away from the parallel rib cage but rather travel in parallel motion to the stationary rib cage for ideal scapular flexion termed scaption which is defined as a combination of shoulder abduction with flexion in the scapular plane of motion which is defined as an oblique perspective of the upper extremity and the scapular motion.
23. Methods of the said neuromuscular exercise proprietary techniques and instruction include but are not limited to a position similar to the O'Brien Orthopaedic Test, i.e. starting the exercise with the upper extremity out-stretched with the arm at side of the body, the user reaches for the handgrip with the hand in the thumb down position and grasps the said handgrip to initiate said scaption keeping the thumb down (internal rotation) FIG. 7 all while weight bearing onto the handgrip and adding light assistance as needed (by way of adding a resistive tubing with anchor clip to the superior end-cap 1E anchor hook or eyelet and stretching the tubing and grasping it between the said handgrip and palm grip) 6B so as to not overpower the supraspinatus muscle while neuromuscularly holding the clavicle level, the said assistance is by way of using the natural contraction properties of the elastic band to aid the weakened muscle(s) complete the desired cycle of exercises; also the non-involved side is able to assist the involved side with a bilateral grasp method whereby there is an active-assisted method of flexion only exercise; a variation of active-assisted range of motion is obtained while gently leaning into the handgrip with the elbow rigid in neutral extension and allow gravity to pull on the user's body weight onto the steel shaft on the out-stretched arm and hand FIG. 6 creating an upward force to move the shoulder active-assistively into flexion, abduction or a combination thereof by creating a compound force-counter force moment to aid the shoulder joint in pivoting about all three axis simultaneously to achieve the said shoulder flexion, abduction or a combination thereof; locking steel shaft collars disposed on to the said steel shaft FIG. 5 act as a barrier to prevent excessive elevation of the upper extremity by limiting travel along the steel shaft as determined by the practitioner or user; said shaft locks may be utilized in plurality so as to create an available arc of motion with the locks placed above and below the handgrip on the said steel guide rail; the limited arc of motions cycle avoids the impingement mechanic mal-effects, so as to inhibit the substitution muscle movement patterns such as excessive trapezius muscle contraction with clavicular elevation and restore normal motion and kinematics to the GH joint complex.
24. Lower extremity strength and mobility issues can be improved using the stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular apparatus by the user assuming the standing position on the steel platform and placing the tail bone onto the handgrip using as in a straddle position FIG. 9 (with the feet shoulder width apart) with the said steel guide rail pointing away from the user 9A whose heels of the feet are placed in front of a horizontal line 1C drawn perpendicular to and tangent to the said flange 8G wherewith the neuromuscular exercise begins with a partial weight shift onto the said UHMWPE or POM handgrip and equal partial weight bearing on both legs with a bilateral squat of varying degrees of knee flexion depending upon the knee limits due to weakness and/or pathology, followed by returning to the starting position while simultaneously tapping the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO) with the fingers or similar for physical neuromuscular stimuli to contract the VMO during extension of the knee which in turn facilitates the neuromuscular loop from the spinal cord and cerebrum to the VMO muscle of the knee for the successful muscle contraction which aids the patella in tracking appropriately in the patellar groove of the femur thus inhibiting lateral migration of the patella and further strengthening to the lower extremity and said body core.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS (IF ANY)
[0032] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. The embodiments of this said brief description are to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed specifications and drawings are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to restrict the invention as embodied.
[0033] The Figures and perspectives are as follows: FIG. 1 is the top view perspective of the Steel Platform. FIG. 1A is the Steel Pipe Flange. FIG. 1B is the Inverted U-Shaped Eye Loop Anchor. FIG. 1D is the Stationary Closed-Kinetic Chain Neuromuscular Apparatus. FIG. 2 is the side perspective of the Steel Platform. FIG. 2A is the Steel Pipe Flange. FIG. 2B is the Steel Pipe Flange Bushing. FIG. 2C is the Steel Anchor Eye-Loop. FIG. 2D is the Ten to TwentyDegree Angle of the Steel Pipe Flange on the Steel Platform. FIG. 2E is the Steel Platform. FIG. 3 is the Side Perspective of the Steel Guiderail. FIG. 4 is the UHMWPE Handgrip With Stainless Steel Bearings. FIG. 4F is the UHMWPE Handgrip Bushing. FIG. 5H is the Steel Endcap With Eyelet. FIG. 5M is the Steel Endcap With Hook. FIG. 5 is the Top View Perspective of the Shaft Clamp With Hook. FIG. 5F is the Side View Perspective of the Shaft Clamp With Hook. FIG. 5L is the Thumb Screw. FIG. 6 is the Oblique View of the Stationary Closed-Kinetic Chain Neuromuscular Exercise Apparatus and User. FIG. 6A is the Endcap With Hook and Resistive Band. FIG. 6E is the Steel Base Anchor. FIG. 7 is the Top View of the Stationary Closed-Kinetic Chain Neuromuscular Exercise Apparatus and User. FIG. 8 is the Perspective of the Stationary Closed-Kinetic Chain Neuromuscular Exercise Apparatus With Hand and Foot Placements. FIG. 8A is the location for the Plurality of the Steel Endcaps. FIG. 8B is the Steel Shaft/Guiderail. FIG. 8C is the UHMWPE Handgrip. FIG. 8F is the Steel Inverted U-Shaped Eye-Loop Anchor. FIG. 8E is the POM Bushing Within Steel Pipe Flange. FIG. 8G is the Steel Pipe Flange. FIG. 8H is the Steel Standing Platform. FIG. 9 is the side perspective of the Stationary Closed-Kinetic Chain Neuromuscular Exercise Apparatus being used for lower extremity strengthening. FIG. 9A is the Heel Limit Line. FIG. 9B is a perspective of Dual Apparatus placed side by side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Based on the description herein the invention is novel and is substantially different from what has been used or described as prior art before this filing. The subject matter sought to be patented is non-obvious to a person of ordinary or entry level skill in the arts and sciences of physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, exercise physiology, personal training, recreational therapy also known collectively as therapy and/or therapies, and is non-obvious to the manufacturers of equipment related to the said therapies and is not-obvious to coaches, personal trainers and nor to the general public. Prior art consists of free weights, open-kinetic chain exercises, floor exercises, wall exercises and pulley devices.
[0035] Practitioners, users, and manufacturers will appreciate the disclosed novel embodiments of the said apparatus and the novel methods of stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercises because it provides efficacious results for muscle strengthening, scapular stabilization, body core strengthening, and controlled range of motion of the extremities in weight bearing. Said practitioners of therapy and exercises may arrive with variations of disclosed methods and techniques and therefore, may implement various embodiments without altering the disclosed descriptions and subsequent claims of said novel stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise invention, its novel concepts and the general methods to use the apparatus for said closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular strengthening, neuromuscular exercise, muscle contraction sequencing, plyometric exercise methods and range of motion exercises.
[0036] The stationary standing posture closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise device is a free-standing apparatus FIG. 1D that consists of five (5) key components FIG. 8 which consist of a steel platform consisting of a thick powder coated or enamel painted diamond plate A36 mild steel FIG. 8 or AISI 513 steel diamond pattern plate that forms the user's stationary standing platform FIG. 1J and has an inverted U-shaped A36 steel eye-loop FIG. 8F welded with argon and CO2 situated towards one end of the lengthwise steel plate; a polyoxymethylene (POM) bushing FIG. 2B, FIG. 2F. fits within an ergonomically angled A513 steel pipe flange FIG. 2A which is said welded towards one end of the steel platform along a centerline adjacent to the said inverted U-shaped A36 steel or AISI 513 steel eye-loop FIG. 2C; a stationary AISI 1060 hot rolled polished steel shaft of variable length which serves as a motion directed guiderail FIG. 1F which fits snugly into the POM bushing FIG. 2B that disposes within the said steel pipe flange until it bottoms out onto the said steel plate; an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPE) tube handgrip FIG. 1G that slides onto the said steel shaft and travels along the said angled FIG. 2D steel stationary shaft and which serves as the ergonomic human interface to the said exercise apparatus. The UHMWPE handgrip FIG. 4 travels as a carriage by way of stainless-steel press-fit bearings FIG. 4B, FIG. 4E which dispose into the ends of the said tube handgrip FIG. 1G. The said steel standing platform FIG. 2E is a diamond plate patterned inch said steel or said flat plate steel design that serves as a non-slip standing platform for the user to perform specific neuromuscular method of exercises for the shoulder, upper extremity, core, and lower extremity in the stationary closed-chain dependent positions. Dependent postural positions are standing, squatting, kneeling and/or sitting. An additional feature of said apparatus may be incorporated into a lower extremity stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise method as well FIG. 9. The said steel plate standing platform is ASTM A36 rating and serves as a counterbalance and stabilizer to the apparatus to prohibit any motion of the platform or said steel guiderail when in use. Errant or aberrant guiderail and/or platform motions of any amplitude may be detrimental to recent unhealed injuries or to the user's surgical sites if present. On one end of the said steel plate situated adjacent to the steel pipe flange FIG. 2 is a steel inverted U-shaped eye-loop FIG. 2C that is said welded to the said steel plate along the centerline and serves as an anchor point for active-resistive elastic tubing FIG. 8D exercises fixed with a carabiner, a quick link connector, or a simple square knot or similar. The said steel shaft FIG. 3 disposes into said steel pipe flange tightly by way of the POM bushing FIG. 2F. The said steel pipe flange is located towards one end of the said rectangular shaped standing steel platform FIG. 1. The steel pipe flange FIG. 1 is composed of a seamless A513 steel pipe of 1.500 inch inside diameter FIG. 2A and with a pipe wall of 0.125-inch thick with a 1.750 inch outside diameter. The said flange is a rectangular shaped seamless steel pipe with the base cut to a 10-20-degree angle FIG. 2D, FIG. 9 from perpendicular that mimics and projects a somewhat vertical FIG. 9 linear and stationary reference angle for the stationary steel guiderail FIG. 6. The said angles correlate well to the human anatomical sagittal plane for shoulder joint flexion and the coronal plane for shoulder joint abduction or a combination thereof using the said ergonomic UHMWPE handgrip FIG. 4. Thereby, implementing a method to accommodate shoulder range of motion in multiple planes for rehabilitation or habilitation. The said angled pipe flange is angled away from the user platform FIG. 9. The said steel pipe flange is situated on the centerline located on one end of the said standing steel plate platform and is said welded to the said steel platform to form a rigid fixed base receptacle for the said steel guide rail FIG. 6F and POM bushing FIG. 8E. The steel pipe flange and the steel plate are powdered coated or painted with a limited-slip covering to resist repeated standing and walking wear. The steel pipe flange is the female receiver of the said steel platform machined to accept the said POM bushing FIG. 2F which in turn receives the said 1.000 inch diameter FIG. 3 polished steel shaft which serves as the ergonomic motion directed guide rail for upper extremity motion, lower extremity motion, and core stabilization during weight bearing. The said stationary POM bushing FIG. 2 is of sufficient length to line the entire pipe flange to stabilize the steel guiderail and to minimize loosening and to minimize wobble during exercises and to lessen the friction between the steel shaft and the steel pipe flange for disassembly when needed. The said steel shaft is designed to uncouple easily from the steel pipe flange to enable for a simple transport and/or relocation of the stationary apparatus, when necessary, by a therapist or user of average strength. The POM bushing FIG. 2F is 1.495-inch diameter with a wall thickness of 0.250-inch. The length of the POM bushing FIG. is 12 inches long. The said steel shaft which serves as a near vertical directional guiderail consists of a round 1.000 inch diameter ASIS 1060 polished steel. The length of the said steel shaft is of variable lengths ranging from 72 inches to 96 inches in length. The length of said steel shaft shall be proportional to the angle of the said pipe flange with respect to perpendicular with the said steel platform for ideal stability and to minimize the stress of torque on the said welded pipe flange joint with regard to the height of the user FIG. 6. The taller the user, the more acute angle is necessary for stability of the apparatus when in use.
[0037] A UHMWPE exercise handgrip FIG. 8C slides onto the said steel guiderail with dimensions of a 2.000 inch diameter tube to serve as the human interface component (handgrip) and also serves as a carriage to assist in moving the upper extremity in the medically desired plane of motion based on the rehabilitation protocol determined by the practitioner and user. The UHMWPE handle consists of said low coefficient of friction polyethylene plastic tube which is 12.0 inches long with 0.250-inch-thick walls. The inside diameter of the said handgrip tube receives press-fit stainless-steel bearings FIG. 4 that provides an exceptionally smooth travel along the length of the said inclined angled 1060 steel guiderail. The incline is less than vertical and is a vital component of the said apparatus and for the user to be able to direct the movement of the extremity in a prescribed manner. An additional feature of the handgrip, the POM FIG. 4F bushing handgrip is machined for a smooth low coefficient of friction material for travel along the said steel guiderail without the said press fit stainless steel bearings. The external surface of both handgrips is are micro-grooved FIG. 4G to provide a non-slip handle to skin interface. Ultra-smooth travel is necessary for the specific execution of the stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise and for the safest control of the directed motion of the upper extremity in the said available planes of motion. The said UHMWPE handgrip FIG. 4 when in use produces distinct sounds by the stainless steel bearings moving on the stationary polished steel bar and serves as audio feedback to the user and to the practitioner to confirm the execution of the instructed exercises. The practitioner may have the user exercise independently and the sound of the bearings traveling on the bar serves to notify the practitioner that the device is in use when the practitioner may need to divert their attention away from the user. A variation of the handle consists of substituting the said stainless-steel bearings with the said UHMWPE or POM bushings FIG. 4F solely and of similar dimensions that travels along the length of the said polished steel bar to provide the appropriate motion for shoulder movements of similar but unequaled smoothness to the said stainless steel bearings with less biofeedback sound to all within hearing range. The said UHMWPE or POM plastic bushings without the said press fit bearings serves to provide a quieter experience when exercising with the device without diminishing the quality and control for safe carriage movement with passive or active motions by the user. The said UHMWPE and POM bushings are considerably lighter in weight than the said handgrip with the said press fit bearings and serves to be an alternative feature of the apparatus to the heavier said handgrip with bearings when weight resistance is an issue for the user of the apparatus.
[0038] According to the said invention there are accessories to fix over the free end FIG. 8A of the said stainless-steel guide rail for the progressing of resistive exercise following passive only range of motion:
[0039] 1. An A36 steel end cap FIG. 5H consisting of dimensions of 2.00 inches long and 1.115 outside diameter and a.995 inside diameter FIG. 5I with 0.125 thick walls. An A36 steel trapezoid-shaped wing or similar FIG. 5K of 0.125 thickness, a 1.00 inch in length and 0.625 inches wide with a -inch centered hole FIG. 5J is said welded to the cap lengthwise to serve as an anchor to accept a quick-link connector or carabiner which serves to anchor a reciprocal pulley and resistance bands or tubing. The steel cap and wing eyelet are coated with rubberized paint or a durable enamel paint and have a -inch diameter thumb screw FIG. 5L to fix in place.
[0040] 2. An A36 steel end cap FIG. 5M with dimensions of 2.00 inches long and 1.115 outside diameter and a 0.995 inch inside diameter with 0.125-inch-thick walls. An A36 steel hook FIG. 5N with 0.25 inch diameter A36 steel rod of 4 inches in length is shaped in to a U and said welded to the cap lengthwise FIG. 5N to serve as an anchor to place elastic resistive bands FIG. 6B or tubing and/or a pulley device which serves to provide prescribed muscle strengthening resistance or active-assisted range of motion. The steel cap and hook are coated with rubberized paint or durable enamel paint and have a -inch thumb screw FIG. 5O to fix in place.
[0041] 3. A plastic shaft clamp FIG. 5 with a hook FIG. 5G & FIG. 5E is designed to be placed on to the said steel guiderail and positioned at a desired location along the length of the said steel shaft to serve as a stop of carriage travel and to serve as an anchor for resistive tubing. The clamp consists of an injected molded plastic split ring FIG. 5D, a -inch felt donut FIG. 5C with 1.0 inch inside diameter FIG. 5B, and a locking lever FIG. 5A held in place by a 1-inch long -inch threaded bolt.
[0042] In yet another feature to the invention bilateral upper extremity stationary closed-kinetic chain exercises can be attained by the user when the user is positioned between a pair of said exercise devices. The user is then directed to apply partial body weight onto bilateral upper extremities using the devices said handgrips. The stationary dependent standing position can be modified to squat, kneeling, or sitting on a physioball or stool as directed by the therapist FIG. 9B.
[0043] Another feature of the said invention, according to the invention, lower extremity and trunk training stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercises can be instructed FIG. 9. The therapist or trainer directs the individual to stand on the said stationary steel platform with the user's spine towards the said steel guiderail and weight shifts a portion of the user's body weight onto the said handgrip with the user's sacrum while keeping both feet firmly planted at the desired and safe positions in front of the Heel Line FIG. 9A. A foam pad or similar is placed between the user's sacrum and the said handgrip. The user is then instructed to begin initiation of motion by flexing both knees simultaneously in the prescribed range of motion mimicking a wall-slide squatting motion. The advantage of this method of exercise is the said inclined steel shaft and carriage accepts a portion of the user's body weight allowing for more advantageous lower extremity muscle contractions without overpowering the user. Vertical wall slide exercises are of limited benefit due to the muscle strength required to support the user's body weight against a vertical surface. With the said closed-kinetic chain method, the therapist or trainer directs the user to maintain or correct the alignment of the lower extremities and the trunk as the knee and hip joints flex and extend. The amount of body weight transferred onto the said handgrip tube is directed by the therapist with contact guard supervision for the safe positioning of the user. Once safe execution of the stationary closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise is learned by the user, the user can then be directed to advance the said neuromuscular exercise for the safe and independent execution of said exercises without contact supervision.
[0044] The use of the said stationary standing postured closed-chain neuromuscular exercise device is not limited to patients with orthopaedic conditions, neurological conditions, nor medical conditions in general, but is intended to be used to specifically improve and enhance upper and/or lower extremity strength, movement, speed and sequencing of muscle contractions and other neuromuscular attributes. The unit is also intended for the aid of the throwing athlete by strengthening the supraspinatus muscle. The unit may also be adapted to other stationary uses for plyometric and/or neuromuscular exercises for the trunk and lower extremities.
[0045] The materials aforementioned may be interchanged with similar materials e.g. stainless steel may be used in place of steel, and may do so without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosures as defined in said abstract, detailed description, and the purported claims without departing from the claims and descriptions of this novel device.
[0046] The illustrations and drawings referenced in the specifications, claims, and in the Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not restricted to the methods and teachings provided herein. It is evident that various modifications and changes may be made by the user skilled in the field of rehabilitation, habilitation and athletics with this novel invention and may do so without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosures as defined in said abstract, detailed description, and the purported claims thereby preserving the said novel methods of exercises.
[0047] The descriptive language used to define and identify the invention are parts of speech that have been assembled, constructed, selected, and identified as individual works that make up the team of words and sentences used to best describe the embodiment of the concepts of the invention's origin and the intention for the proper and safe use of the invention. Words such as a, an, the, these, are all parts of speech such as articles, conjunctions, and referents to the context provided. The language selected may be used in singular or in plural and may be interchanged without negatively affecting the semantics and description of the invention and methods described herein. Some parts of speech used in the text may be interchanged as in using a thesaurus however, such wordsmithing does not alter the concept for the creation and proper methods of execution of this closed-kinetic chain neuromuscular exercise novel invention that has multiple purposes.
[0048] No language used in the said descriptions of the claims is intended to limit the claims of the invention. The use of examples listed are merely an attempt to conceptualize the methods and further serve as exemplary language to best illustrate the invention and are not to limit disclosures or the claims in any way unless otherwise defined. Methods of use of the invention may be executed in any suitable order. The limitations of the use of the invention are determined by the prescribing physician, the practitioner's rationale, the user's physical condition, the user's informed consent be it verbal or written and determined by the trainer and ultimately the user.
