WO2022049518A1

WO2022049518A1 - Resistance training device cum splint with add-on electronics module

Info

Publication number: WO2022049518A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avijan SINHA
Original assignee: Sinha Avijan
Priority date: 2020-09-02
Filing date: 2021-09-02
Publication date: 2022-03-10

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a modular device allowing PRT exercise for developing or strengthening muscles and improved joint function of the body by working against a counterforce exerted by a library of interchangeable or combinatorial use extendible force-resistant elements.

Description

Resistance training device cum splint with add-on electronics module

Cross references to related applications: This international application claims priority from Indian patent application No. 202021008930 dated 02/09/2020 the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety, by reference.

Field of the invention

The present invention is directed to the construction and implementation of a modular device for developing or strengthening muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce exerted by extendible force-resistant elements.

Definitions and interpretations

Before undertaking the detailed description of the invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect, with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “PRT” refers Progressive Resistance Training; “PRT exercises” refer all elements among preparation, activity, and recovery such as and including without limitation, , triceps extension, bicep curl, shoulder external rotation, hip abduction , knee extension, hip flexion, hip extension ,90-90 hip knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, ankle planter flexion, and so on; “ROM” refers Range of Motion(angle create in joints during movement); “BLE” refers Bluetooth Low Energy.

Background of the invention and Description of related art

Resistance training is a physical exercise specializing in the development of strength, tone, muscle mass, and/or endurance of muscles or joints of the body as the case may be. A subset of resistance training is PRT, which is often used to increase muscle strength especially during post-operative recovery. As can be easily appreciated from its name, PRT involves subjects exercising their muscles against some form of resistance which is progressively increased as muscle strength improves. Specially designed exercise machines, free weights, and elastic bands are common equipment used for PRT.

Prior art mentions numerous exercise devices based on the principle of progressive resistance training in which the user is expected to stretch a stretchable member, such as a spring or elastic tubes, whereby the resistance of said stretchable member provides exercise to various parts of the user's body to thereby achieve joint / muscle building or strengthening effects and improvement in joint function. Examples of such devices of the type in which a spring or elastic cord is used are shown in US2760774; 2937023; 203836; 3529820; 3807730; 3819177; 3838852; 420281 and many more. However, most of these devices and further those available in the open market are relatively bulky, expensive and are adaptable for use with only certain portions of the body. Therefore, there is a need for development of an improved exercise device which provides the advantages of these prior art devices, yet is economical to procure, has minimal if not zero maintenance, and is of compact dimensions for easy storage and / or transport.

It is another issue with the aforementioned prior art devices that over time, or due to wear and tear or accident, the stretchable member loses function and the user is left with no option but to purchase the entire device again, which adds to expenditures and also wastage of parts of said devices which were not damaged. Therefore, there is a need for development of an improved exercise device which is modular, and hence allows selective replacement of components whenever damaged.

It is yet another issue with the aforementioned prior art devices that they are limited to one function alone, that is providing resistance training for use with only certain portions of the body. Consequently, the user has to purchase separate devices and implements for other purposes, such as support or splints. It would be desirable therefore to have an improved exercise device which is multifunctional and hence makes it unnecessary for a user to purchase, store, or carry multiple devices.

It is yet another issue with the aforementioned prior art devices that they are limited to the intensity of work out or support offered. This limitation comes from that the stretchable member is singular, and cannot be altered or changed as it is integrated into construction of said devices. It would be desirable therefore to have an improved exercise device which is capable of receiving alternative or plurality of stretchable members so that various intensities of work out or support offered can be availed as per need of the user.

It is yet another issue with the aforementioned prior art devices that their use cannot be monitored, either for fulfillment and / or accuracy of prescribed usage. It would be desirable therefore to have an improved exercise device which includes means capable of recording, logging, and communicating data aspects for assessing or logging fulfillment and / or accuracy of prescribed usage.

Prior art therefore, does not list a single effective solution embracing all considerations mentioned hereinabove, thus preserving an acute necessity-to-invent for the present inventor/s who, as result of focused research, has come up with novel solutions for resolving all needs once and for all. Work of the presently named inventor/s, specifically directed against the technical problems recited hereinabove and currently part of the public domain including earlier filed patent applications, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosures.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the present invention will be obtained from the following detailed description, which sets forth an illustrative yet-preferred embodiment.

Objectives of the present invention

The present invention is identified in addressing at least all major deficiencies of art discussed in the foregoing section by effectively addressing the objectives stated under, of which:

It is a primary objective to provide a multifunctional PRT device which can used to objectively achieve joint / muscle strengthening at different portions of the human body as well as is capable of being used alternatively as a support or splint.

It is another objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that the multifunctional PRT device so provisioned includes a library of bundled components which allow the multifunctional PRT device to provide for various intensities of workout or support offered.

It is another objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that the multifunctional PRT device so provisioned enables the quantization and data logging of muscle strength building / recuperation undertaken.

It is another objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that the multifunctional PRT device so provisioned is of compact dimensions, to allow ease of storage and / or transport.

It is another objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that the multifunctional PRT device so provisioned is modular in construction, therein allowing the advantage and economy of isolative part replacement.

It is another objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that the multifunctional PRT device so provisioned is not overly complex in design to allow ease in mass production, packaging and use.

It is another objective further to the aforesaid objective(s) that the multifunctional PRT device so provisioned is economical to manufacture, maintain and use.

The manner in which the above objectives are achieved, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the detailed description set forth below in reference to the accompanying drawings and furthermore specifically outlined in the independent claims. Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Brief description of drawings

The present invention is explained herein under with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a photograph of the multifunctional PRT device (01 ) as per the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic to illustrate the construction of the cuff (03 or 04) as per the disclosures hereof.

Figure 3 is a photograph of the cuff component shown in Figure 1 , being used in isolation as a tennis elbow band.

Figure 4 is a photograph of the cuff component shown in Figure 1 , being used in isolation as a patellar band.

Figure 5 is a schematic semi-transparent view of the elastic tube (02) shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 includes schematics (a) and (b) representing alternative inner-side constructions of the cuff (03 or 04) shown in Figure 1 .

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the outer-side construction of the cuff (03 or 04) shown in Figure 1 .

Figure 8 is a screenshot of the user interface of the software app deployed as per the disclosures hereof.

The above drawings are illustrative of particular examples of the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope thereof. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use solely in conjunction with their explanations in the following detailed description. In above drawings, wherever possible, the same references and symbols have been used throughout to refer to the same or similar parts, as under-

Sr. No. Element / Component Sr. No. Element / Component

(01 ) - Multifunctional PRT device (07) - Other free end of (05)

(02) - Elastic tube (08) - Intermediary portion of (05)

(03) - Cuff Second layer of material of (09) -

(04) - Cuff either (03) or (04)

Elongated body of either (10) - One edge of (05)

⁽°⁵⁾ ’ (03) or (04) (11 ) - Other edge of (05)

(06) - One free end of (05) Sr. No. Element / Component Sr. No. Element / Component

Hollow tubular construct (13) - Electronic module

(12) - along (08) (14) - Hard rubber segment

Though numbering has been introduced to demarcate reference to specific components in relation to such references being made in different sections of this specification, all components are not shown or numbered in each drawing to avoid obscuring the invention proposed.

Attention of the reader is now requested to the detailed description to follow which narrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention and such other ways in which principles of the invention may be employed without parting from the essence of the invention claimed herein.

Detailed description

Principally, general purpose of the present invention is to assess disabilities and shortcomings inherent to known systems comprising state of the art and develop new systems incorporating all available advantages of known art and none of its disadvantages.

Accordingly, the disclosures herein are directed towards a modular sports band capable of various configurations among which at least one configuration is developing or strengthening different muscle groups of lower or upper limbs of the body and also capable of convertible to support splint.

As may be referred from the accompanying Figure 1 , the multifunctional PRT device (01 ) of the present invention includes an elastic member (02) (that is, the resistance element) intended to be used for performance of PRT exercises by a human user. Furthermore, a pair of cuffs (03 and 04) are provided, which can lock, in a releasable manner, around lower or upper limbs of the human user. Said pair of cuffs (03 and 04) are received, in a removable manner, on the elastic member (02), to result in an assembly which can therefore interface with the lower or upper limbs of the human user in order to perform PRT exercises. According to a related aspect hereof, the pair of cuffs (03 and 04) are made from a durable, skin-friendly resilient material such as nylon, cotton, polyester, their equivalents and their combinations.

As shown in Figure 2, the pair of cuffs (03 and 04) have a common structure including an elongated body (05) having two free ends (06 and 07) and an intermediary portion (08) leading between said two free ends (06 and 07). The two free ends (06 and 07) are provisioned to overlap with each other when the elongated body (05) is fold over onto itself at its ends (06 and 07) to form a circle.

Overlapping surfaces of the elongated body (05) near the two free ends (06 and 07) are provided, for a substantial length, with releasable affixing means, such as Velcro, zipper, buttons, hooks, press-button or any equivalent or their combinations, which allow the pair of cuffs (03 and 04) to lock, in a releasable manner, when the elongated body (05) is wrapped snugly around lower or upper limbs of the human user. As the releasable affixing means cover a substantial length towards the two free ends (06 and 07), the pair of cuffs (03 and 04) can be snugly wrapped in place in a one-size-fits-all fitment around the shin, knee, wrist or arm of the human user irrespective of the dimensions, profile and articulation of said body parts.

As further seen in Figure 2, the intermediary portion (08) of the pair of cuffs (03 and 04) is designed to be bi-layered, by receiving another layer (09) of durable, skin-friendly resilient material as mentioned above, which is sewn along the edges (10 and 11 ) or attached via Velcro along one edge only along the longer axis of the elongated body (05), to thus result in a hollow tubular construct (12) through which the elastic member (02) can be passed through, to thus result in the final assembly shown in Figure 1 .

Surface of the pair of cuffs (03 and 04) facing the skin of the human user are lined / filled with Neoprene for comfort and ergonomics of said human user, who may hence use the multifunctional PRT device (01 ) of the present invention, or the cuff pair of cuffs (03 and 04) in isolation, over extended durations without discomfort or irritation to the skin.

Figure 3 and Figure 4 are a photographs of the pair of cuffs (03 and 04), being used in isolation, with or without the elastic member (02) and chip (13), in the manner of a tennis elbow band or patellar band respectively. As mentioned above, the cuff component can be fitted without the elastic member (02) around the shin, knee, wrist or arm of the user. For achieving said intent, the user may simply disengage the affixing means in the cuff, to release the elastic member (02), therefore resulting in two independent cuffs (03 and 04) which can be put to use as a tennis / golfer’s elbow band or patellar band by wrapping around, and sealing the affixing means around the elbow or knee / patellar region as depicted in the accompanying Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively.

As shall be appreciated, each of the components (02 to 13) are discrete and follow a modular assembly scheme, which allows selective replacement of said components in isolation whenever damaged, without requiring the replacement of the entire multifunctional PRT device (01 ) as a result of an isolated component failure.

The present invention scores above prior art, in a second aspect, in being multifunctional, in that particularly enjoining a splint / supporting function apart from inherent use for resistance training outlined in the foregoing narration.

According to a related aspect hereof, the elastic member (02) is made from a stretchable material chosen among food grade, long lasting, nature friendly materials conventionally used in the art, which are easily available and manifest no allergy to skin. Format of the elastic member (02) is chosen as a continuous ring of length 300 mm having a cross-sectional profile chosen among filled and hollow types having circular, elongated, or any other geometry that can be provisioned using state-of-art / future molding / extrusion processes.

Figure 5 is a schematic semi-transparent view of the elastic member (02) shown in Figure 1. This elastic member (02) comprises a continuous elastic band ring of total length 30mm to 600 mm made of composite rubber (of the class Thermoplastic elastomers). The elastic band, originally a straight element, is joined to form the ring using a hard rubber segment (14) of length 22mm and cross-sectional diameter of 13mm.

In alternative embodiments, the stretchable member (02) is intended to be provided alternatively using different materials and construction to allow different resistances and hence various intensities of work out or support offered can be availed as per need of the user. Specifications of said different bands are listed in the Table 1 below.

Table 1

As outlined above, the applicant named herein intends using a color scheme for identification from among bands of various elasticity / tension. The user may have the option of purchasing all bands along with the device, else subsequently as a separate product to be used with his / her prior purchase. It shall be appreciated, that one or more of these rings / bands may be used independently by the user, singly or in combinations, with or without the cuffs (03 and 04) for PRT exercises.

An add-on embedded battery-operated electronic module (13, named ‘microchip’ shown in Figure 5b) arranged to be used in conjunction with the multifunctional PRT device (01 ) made in accordance with the foregoing disclosures. One miniature electronics device (13) is hence included in portion (08) of each of the cuffs (03 and 04). The device (01 ) is essentially a wearable electronic enclosure which houses a consortium of sensors including a 9-axis Gyro-accelerometer, and a Magnetometer. This device (13) is additionally provisioned with a BLE transmitter so as to transmit the gyro-accelerometer data captured to an Android App pre-provisioned, for example, by downloading from an app store, on a smartphone or computer in charge of the user. Low energy Bluetooth transmitter used is BLE Chip nRF52832 or nRF52840. The 9 axis sensor is chosen among BMX055 and MPU9250 / LSM9DS1. As electricity consumption of this device (01 ) is very low, the battery (such as a button cell / Li-Ion) is expected to power the device (01 ) seamlessly for many months, thus negating the need to change batteries or recharge the device (01 ) even once during this period.

Figure 6 includes schematics (A) and (B) representing alternative inner-side constructions of the cuff component shown in Figure 1 . As seen here, these schematics differ essentially in inclusion of an electronic module / chip (commonly numbered as 13) in each of the cuffs (03 or 04) as an add-on component which has sensors and embedded computational logic for determination / measuring of parameters pertinent to the progressive resistance training undertaken by the human user including at least one among Exercise time, how many repetitions, Maximum force generated, angle of motion (joint angle), holding time, and Rest period between exercise. Data so measured is logged in memory on-board said electronic module, which may in a further embodiment, be synchronized with an customized / preexisting computer application / mobile applet to be downloaded and installed on an external computational device such as a personal computer or alternatively a smart phone in charge of the user. Figure 7 shows a sample screenshot of the user interface of said computer application / mobile applet, whereby the user can select the exercise being performed, select band as per specifications outlined in Table 1 above, and objectively / numerically / quantifiably visualize data captured by the duo of the electronic module / chips (13).

Data logged may be arranged, via further logic, to be relayed to the doctor / physiotherapist / heath care program via over the air or other electronic communications for assessing or logging fulfillment and / or accuracy of prescribed usage. This allows quantization, data logging, and interpretation (as in whether there is any and progress thereof) of muscle strength building / recuperation undertaken.

Reduction to practice and experimental validation

The present invention has been reduced to practice and experimentally validated by the applicant named herein. Results of a representative set of experiments using the multifunctional PRT device (01 ) with the Beginner / Red color band are showcased in Tables 2 to 5 herein under, in two different application environments wherein a normal, healthy human user was assessed for strength building, via right knee extension exercise (this is an isolated example. The reader shall understand the analogous extrapolation to other body parts and exercise types / regimes, many of which have been validated by the applicant named herein and corroborating data of which can be supplied on a requirement basis)

Table 2 (Day 0)

Table 3 (Day 15)

Table 4 (Day 30)

Table 5 (Summary of average readings)

From the foregoing experimental data, it is clearly seen that the multifunctional PRT device (01 ) of the present invention resulted in a significant increase in force (hence indicating building of strength) and also increase in joint flexibility. The readings were taken upto 30 days for establishing the trend, which up climb is however expected to continue if the number of days of the study is increased.

From the foregoing narration and studies, an able modular device allowing PRT exercise for developing or strengthening muscles and improved joint function of the body by working against a counterforce exerted by a library of interchangeable or combinatorial use extendible force-resistant elements is thus provided with improved functionality, durability and long service life than any of its closest peers in state-of-art.

Claims

I claim,

1] A progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ), comprising- a) At least one resistance element, being an elastic tube (02) of total length 30mm to 600 mm and made of an thermoplastic elastomer in particular having both of its ends joined to each other by means of a hard rubber segment (14) of length 22mm and cross-sectional diameter of 13mm, for introducing resistance against which a human user has to exert force in order to partake the progressive resistance training; b) A pair of cuffs (03 and 04), having opposing interlocking ends (06 and 07) of an elongated body (05), said elongated body (05) being of a length adequate to wrap snugly around the lower or upper limbs of the human user for- i. Use as an independent support, in a configuration confirming to either between a patellar band and a tennis elbow band in particular, when used independently of the at least one resistance element; and

II. Allowing the human user to partake the progressive resistance training by passing the at least one resistance element through a hollow tubular construct (12) attached along edges (10 and 11 ) of an intermediary portion (08) of said elongated body (05). c) An instance of an electronic module (13) provisioned inside the elongated body (05) of each of the cuffs (03 and 04) for objectively measuring, logging and relaying a set of parameters pertinent to the progressive resistance training undertaken by the human user; and d) An electronic applet for interfacing the progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) with an external computational device chosen among a smart phone and a personal computer in charge of the human user for allowing the user to objectively visualize data captured by the electronic module (13).

2] The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein releasable affixing means chosen among Velcro, zipper, buttons, hooks, press-button or any equivalent or their combinations are integrated, by either between stitching and gluing, within the ends (06 and 07) to thereby allow said ends (06 and 07) to interlock with each other when wrapped around the lower or upper limbs of the human user. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hollow tubular construct (12) consists of a second layer of material (09) which is materially continuous with one among the edges (10 and 11 ) to form the body of said hollow tubular construct (12) and releasable affixing means chosen among Velcro, zipper, buttons, hooks, press-button or any equivalent or their combinations integrated, by either between stitching and gluing, within the other side of the second layer of material (09) and the unattached edge among the edges (10 and 11 ) to thereby allow the hollow tubular construct (12) so formed to receive the at least one resistance element in a releasable manner. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hollow tubular construct (12) consists of a second layer of material (09) which is materially discontinuous with the edges (10 and 11 ) and received along said edges (10 and 1 1 ), by either between stitching and gluing, to thereby allow the hollow tubular construct (12) so formed to receive the at least one resistance element in a non-releasable manner. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 , 3 or 4, wherein the cuffs (03 and 04) and the second layer of material (09) are made from a durable, skin-friendly resilient material, neoprene in particular. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic module (13) consists of- a) A set of sensors for measuring the set of parameters pertinent to the progressive resistance training undertaken by the human user, b) A programmable circuit for providing the operational logic of said electronic module (13); c) Digital memory for logging the measurements made by the set of sensors; d) A transmitter, being a Low energy Bluetooth transmitter chosen among the BLE Chip nRF52832 and nRF52840 for relaying, either between in real time and upon interfacing with the external computational device, the data captured by the electronic module (13); and e) A battery for powering the electronic module (13). The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in any one among the claims 1 or 6, wherein the data captured by the electronic module (13) consists of the exercise time, how many repetitions, maximum force generated, joint angle, holding time, and rest period between exercises. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the set of sensors consists of- a) A 9-axis Gyro-accelerometer chosen among BMX055, MPU9250 and LSM9DS1 variants; and b) A magnetometer. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic applet is one downloaded and installed on the computational device to thereby allow the progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) and said external computational device to pair and interactively interface with each other. The progressive resistance training cum supporting device (01 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one resistance element is chosen among- a) One which is suitable for beginner users, characteristically requiring the human user to exert a force of 4 pounds for achieving 25% elongation, 7 pounds for achieving 50 % elongation and 10 pounds for achieving 100 % elongation of said resistance element; b) One which is suitable for intermediate users, characteristically requiring the human user to exert a force of 8 pounds for achieving 25% elongation, 16 pounds for achieving 50 % elongation and 20 pounds for achieving 100 % elongation of said resistance element; c) One which is suitable for advanced users, characteristically requiring the human user to exert a force of 10 pounds for achieving 25% elongation, 25 pounds for achieving 50 % elongation and 35 pounds for achieving 100 % elongation of said resistance element; and d) One which is suitable for higher than advanced users, characteristically requiring the human user to exert a force of 17 pounds for achieving 25% elongation, 30 pounds for achieving 50 % elongation and 40 pounds for achieving 100 % elongation of said resistance element.

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