CN117279696A

CN117279696A - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN117279696A
Application number: CN202280033925.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 沃尔德玛·L·华盛顿
Original assignee: Wo ErdemaLHuashengdun
Current assignee: Wo ErdemaLHuashengdun
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2022-05-05
Publication date: 2023-12-22
Also published as: WO2022240652A1; EP4337347A1

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for an exercise apparatus that includes a flexible elongate member, a binding device, and a motor assembly. The binding device is attached to the flexible elongate member and has a clamping mechanism configured to secure a shoe of a user of the exercise apparatus to the flexible elongate member. The motor assembly is disposed between the shoe and the flexible elongate member and is configured to cause the flexible elongate member to oscillate.

Description

Exercise apparatus

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. CIP patent application Ser. No. 17/316,074, filed 5/10 of 2021, which is a continuation of the portion of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/420,236 filed 23 of 2019. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus.

Background

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

The exercise apparatus may be used to exercise individual muscles of a person's body. Such exercise apparatus may be difficult to use and expensive to manufacture. The exercise apparatus of the present disclosure is simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture. For example, the exercise apparatus of the present disclosure is also effective in exercising a person's body including the person's lower body parts (e.g., lower legs, thighs, lower abdomen, etc.).

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one form, the present disclosure provides an exercise apparatus including a shoe, a flexible elongate member, and a motor assembly. The flexible elongate member is attached to the shoe at one of a plurality of locations. The motor assembly is disposed between the shoe and the elongate member. The motor assembly is configured to oscillate the elongate member.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of the above paragraph, the elongate member is attached to the shoe at a location such that the shoe and the elongate member extend parallel to one another.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the elongate member is attached to the shoe at a location such that the shoe and the elongate member are angled relative to one another.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the motor assembly includes a motor and a plurality of vibrating members connected to the motor. The vibrating member is spaced from the top surface of the elongate member when the motor is in a closed (OFF) mode.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the vibrating member is configured to move up and down when the motor is turned to an ON (ON) mode, which causes the vibrating member to strike a top surface of the elongate member causing the elongate member to oscillate.

In another form, the present disclosure provides an exercise apparatus comprising an exercise apparatus and a processor. The exercise apparatus includes a shoe, a flexible elongate member, and a motor assembly. The flexible elongate member is configured to be attached to the shoe at one of a plurality of locations. The motor assembly is disposed between the shoe and the elongate member. The motor assembly includes a motor and a vibration member connected to the motor. The vibration member is configured to strike the elongated member such that the elongated member oscillates. The processor is configured to execute instructions in a non-transitory computer readable medium. These instructions include: uploading a medical image; matching the medical image with a template medical image stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium to obtain a treatment plan; generating a notification indicating at which of a plurality of locations the flexible elongate member is to be attached to the shoe; and initiating the treatment protocol such that a signal is sent to the motor that causes the vibrating member to strike and oscillate the elongate member.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of the above paragraph, the signal sent to the motor causes the motor to transition to the on mode for a predetermined duration at a predetermined power.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the signal sent to the motor causes the motor to transition to the on mode for a predetermined duration.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the power of the motor varies over a predetermined duration.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the power of the motor is adjustable.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the amplitude of oscillation of the elongate member is greater when the power is increased and smaller when the power is decreased.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the vibrating member impacts the elongate member with a greater force when the power is increased and with a lesser force when the power is reduced.

In some configurations of the exercise apparatus of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the medical image is a muscle of the lower body portion.

In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: uploading a medical image; matching the medical image with a template medical image stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium to obtain a treatment plan; generating a notification indicating at which of a plurality of positions the flexible elongate member of the exercise apparatus is attached to the shoe of the exercise apparatus; and initiating a treatment regimen such that a signal is sent to a motor of the exercise device, which causes a vibrating member of the exercise device to strike and oscillate the elongated member.

In some constructions of the method of the above paragraph, the signal sent to the motor causes the motor to transition to the on mode for a predetermined duration at a predetermined power.

In some constructions of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the signal sent to the motor causes the motor to transition to the on mode for a predetermined duration.

In some constructions of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the power of the motor varies over a predetermined duration.

In some constructions of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the power of the motor is adjustable.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the preceding paragraphs, the amplitude of oscillation of the elongate member is greater as the power increases and is less as the power decreases.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the vibrating member impacts the elongate member with a greater force when the power is increased and with a lesser force when the power is reduced.

In some constructions of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the medical image is a muscle of the lower body portion.

In another form, an exercise apparatus includes a flexible elongate member and a binding device attached to the flexible elongate member and having at least one clamping mechanism configured to secure a shoe of a user of the exercise apparatus to the flexible elongate member. The exercise apparatus further includes a motor assembly disposed between the shoe and the flexible elongate member, the motor assembly configured to cause the flexible elongate member to oscillate.

In some constructions, the at least one gripping mechanism is pivotable between an open position in which the at least one gripping mechanism receives or releases the shoe and a closed position in which the at least one gripping mechanism secures the shoe to the flexible elongate member.

In some constructions, the at least one clamping mechanism includes an actuator having a spring-loaded actuation device configured to drive the at least one clamping mechanism between the open and closed positions.

In some constructions, the at least one clamping mechanism includes an actuator having an electric motor configured to drive the at least one clamping mechanism between the open and closed positions.

In some configurations, the at least one clamp mechanism includes an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between an open position and a closed position, and the exercise apparatus further includes an actuator trigger coupled to the actuator, the actuator trigger configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the closed position.

In some constructions, the actuator trigger includes a mechanical button.

In some constructions, the actuator trigger includes a proximity sensor.

In some configurations, the at least one clamp mechanism includes an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between an open position and a closed position, and the exercise apparatus further includes a release button coupled to the actuator that is configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the open position.

In some constructions, the motor assembly includes a motor and a plurality of vibrating members connected to the motor, and wherein the plurality of vibrating members are spaced apart from a top surface of the flexible elongate member when the motor is in the off mode.

In some constructions, the plurality of vibrating members are configured to move up and down when the motor turns to an on mode, which causes the plurality of vibrating members to strike a top surface of the flexible elongate member causing the flexible elongate member to oscillate.

In some constructions, the exercise apparatus further includes an arm exercise apparatus having rods configured to be moved back and forth by a user of the exercise apparatus.

In some constructions, the arm exercise machine is configured to provide resistance to the user moving the bar back and forth.

In yet another form, a method includes: the method includes securing a shoe of a user of the exercise apparatus to the flexible elongate member with a binding device attached to the flexible elongate member and having at least one clamping mechanism configured to secure the shoe of the user to the flexible elongate member. The method further comprises the steps of: the flexible elongate member is oscillated using a motor assembly disposed between the shoe and the flexible elongate member.

In some configurations, the at least one clamp mechanism includes an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the exercise apparatus further including an actuator trigger coupled to the actuator, the actuator trigger configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the closed position.

In some constructions, the actuator trigger includes a mechanical button.

In some constructions, the actuator trigger includes a proximity sensor.

In some configurations, the at least one clamp mechanism includes an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the exercise apparatus further including a release button coupled to the actuator, the release button configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the open position.

In some constructions, the method further includes moving the arm exercise machine with the bar back and forth.

In yet another form, an exercise apparatus, first and second flexible elongate members each configured to be attached to first and second shoes of a user of the exercise apparatus, respectively. The exercise apparatus further includes a first motor assembly disposed between the first flexible elongate member and the first shoe and a second motor assembly disposed between the second flexible elongate member and the second shoe, the first motor assembly and the second motor assembly configured to oscillate the first flexible elongate member and the second flexible elongate member. The exercise apparatus further includes first and second rotating drums attached to the first and second flexible elongate members, respectively, and configured to rotate the first and second flexible elongate members as they oscillate.

In some configurations, the first and second levers are attached to the first and second rotating drums, respectively, and are configured to be grasped by a user when the user uses the exercise apparatus.

In some constructions, the third motor assembly and the fourth motor assembly are disposed within the first rod and the second rod, respectively, and are configured to oscillate the first rod and the second rod.

In some constructions, the first rotating drum and the second rotating drum interlock to rotate at the same rotational speed.

In some configurations, the first and second elongate members are attached to the first and second rotating drums, respectively, at points 180 ° out of phase.

In some constructions, the first and second rods are attached to the first and second rotating drums, respectively, at points 180 ° out of phase.

In some constructions, the first and second binding devices are attached to the first and second flexible elongate members, respectively, each having at least one clamping mechanism configured to secure the first and second shoes to the first and second flexible elongate members, respectively.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1a is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus with a person sitting down and wearing an exercise apparatus according to the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1b is a perspective view of an alternative exercise apparatus being seated and wearing an exercise apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an exercise apparatus of the exercise apparatus of fig. 1 a.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of an exercise apparatus of the exercise apparatus of fig. 1 a.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the one exercise apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating communication between an exercise device and a computing device.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart depicting an algorithm for operating an exercise apparatus of an exercise apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a person sitting down and wearing the exercise apparatus and an elongated member of the exercise apparatus oscillating.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a person lying on his back and wearing an exercise apparatus and two elongated members of the exercise apparatus oscillating.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exercise apparatus with a shoe binding and shoe.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 9 with a shoe binding without a shoe.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 9 with a shoe binding without a shoe.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the exercise apparatus with shoes with the shoe binding apparatus of FIG. 9.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate exercise apparatus with a person sitting down and wearing an exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus also having arm exercise apparatus.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a person standing while wearing an alternate exercise apparatus attached to a rotating drum of an exercise apparatus that also has arm exercise apparatus.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings of the specification.

Detailed Description

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth (e.g., examples of specific components, devices, and methods) in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that specific details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques have not been described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between … …" versus "directly between … …", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms unless otherwise specified. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. As used herein, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., "inside," "outside," "below," "under," "over," "upper" and the like) may be used herein to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the embodiment term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or oriented in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 1a, an exercise apparatus 10 is provided. User 12 may operate exercise apparatus 10 to perform an exercise. For example, exercise apparatus 10 may be operated by user 12 to exercise lower body portion 13 of user 12, such as their legs 11 (i.e., each leg 11 includes a lower leg 14, an upper leg 16, and a foot 17), and such as lower abdomen 18. Exercise apparatus 10 may include a pair of exercise apparatus 20 and a computing device 22.

As shown in Figs. 1-4 and 7, each exercise device 20 may be independently operable from one another and may include a flexible elongate member 26 and a shoe 28. The elongate member 26 may be planar and may include opposite ends. In some constructions, the elongate member 26 may be curved. In some constructions, the elongate member 26 may be telescopic such that the elongate member 26 may be conveniently packaged and transported. In some constructions, as shown in fig. 1b, the opposite end 30 of each elongate member 26 may include a weight 31 attached thereto to facilitate oscillation of the elongate member 26. The elongate member 26 can be removably attached to the shoe 28 at a plurality of locations at a medial portion of the elongate member 26.

For example, as shown in fig. 3, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 in a first position in which the elongate member 26 and the shoe 28 are parallel to one another (i.e., the shoe 28 extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 26). In another example, as shown in phantom in fig. 3, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 in a second position in which the elongate member 26 is angled (i.e., at a non-parallel angle) relative to the shoe 28 (i.e., a portion of the elongate member 26 extends beyond the inward portion 34 of the shoe 28 at the front end of the shoe 28 and another portion of the elongate member 26 extends beyond the outward portion 36 of the shoe 28 at the rear end of the shoe 28). It should be appreciated that the inward portion 34 of the shoe 28 is opposite the outward portion 36 of the shoe 28, and that the inward portion 34 of the shoe 28 faces the inward portion 34 of the other shoe 28. In another example, as shown in phantom in fig. 3, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 in a third position in which the elongate member 26 is angled (i.e., at a non-parallel angle) relative to the shoe 28 (i.e., a portion of the elongate member 26 extends beyond the outward portion 36 of the shoe 28 at the front end of the shoe 28, while another portion of the elongate member 26 extends beyond the inward portion 34 of the shoe 28 at the rear end thereof). Each location where the elongate member 26 is attached to the shoe 28 is for a different region of the lower body portion 13.

As shown in fig. 3, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 by fasteners 38a, 38b (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.). The shoe 28 may include a plurality of first apertures 40 (including apertures 40a, 40b, and 40 (not shown)) at or near the front end of the shoe 28 and a plurality of second apertures 42 (including apertures 42a, 42b, and 42 (not shown)) at or near the rear end of the shoe 28. The fastener 38a may extend through a hole (not shown) of the elongate member 26 and one of a plurality of holes 40 of the shoe 28 to attach the elongate member 26 to the shoe 28. Similarly, the fastener 38b may extend through a hole (not shown) of the elongate member 26 and one of the plurality of holes 42 of the shoe 28 to further attach the elongate member 26 to the shoe 28. It should be understood that the holes 40, 42 and the holes of the elongate member 26 may be threaded.

It should also be appreciated that while the elongate member 26 is attached to the shoe 28 by fasteners 38a, 38b, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 or the user's foot by an attachment mechanism or any other suitable means. For example, a locking plate (not shown) may be attached to the elongate member 26 at a plurality of locations. The shoe 28 may be secured to the locking plate by, for example, straps (not shown) such that the shoe 28 is attached to the elongate member 26. The foot of user 12 may be inserted into shoe 28 (via opening 50) to secure the foot of user 12 to shoe 28. The foot of user 12 may also be directly attached to elongate member 26 (i.e., without shoe 28) by a locking plate or any other attachment mechanism (e.g., straps).

As shown in fig. 4, the motor assembly 52 may be disposed in a cavity 54 formed in a sole 55 of the shoe 28, and may include a motor housing 56 and a motor apparatus 58. In some configurations, the motor assembly 52 may be attached to the top surface 59 of the elongate member 26 or the bottom surface 61 of the sole 55 of the shoe 28 by any suitable means (adhesive, fasteners, etc.). The motor housing 56 may be adjacent to the top surface 59 of the elongate member 26 (i.e., the motor housing 56 may contact the top surface 59 of the elongate member 26 or may be spaced apart from the top surface 59 of the elongate member 26). The motor housing 56 may also house a motor apparatus 58. The motor apparatus 58 may include a motor 62 and a vibration member 64. For example, the motor 62 may be a servo motor.

The vibration member 64 may be connected to the motor 62 such that when the motor 62 is in the off mode, there is a gap between the end of the vibration member 64 and the top surface 59 of the elongate member 26. The vibration member 64 is configured to move up and down when the motor 62 is turned to the on mode. This causes the vibration member 64 to strike the top surface 59 of the elongated member 26 causing the elongated member 26 to oscillate back and forth (fig. 7; the end of the elongated member 26 oscillates back and forth). A cap (not shown) made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or any other suitable material may be provided on the vibration member 64 to protect the elongated member 26 when the vibration member 64 repeatedly strikes the elongated member 26. It will be appreciated that the power of the motor 62 is adjustable. In this way, the amplitude of the oscillations of the elongated member 26 is greater when the power of the motor 62 is increased, and the situation is diametrically opposite when the power of the motor 62 is reduced. In other words, when the power of the motor 62 is increased, the vibration member 64 hits the elongated member 26 with a greater force, and when the power of the motor 62 is decreased, the situation is diametrically opposite, which in turn causes the amplitude of the oscillation of the elongated member 26 to be greater.

As shown in FIG. 5, computing device 22 may be in communication with motors 62 of motor assemblies 52 of a pair of exercise devices 20 and may include a processor 68, which processor 68 is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory unit 70, which may be a non-transitory computer readable medium such as random-access memory (RAM) and/or read-only memory (ROM). For example, the computing device 22 may be a computer, a mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone) or a tablet computer, or any other communication device or network of devices. The computing device 22 may communicate with the motor 62 via: such as the Internet, wi-Fi,Zifeng protocol->Power-line carrier communication (PLCC), or cellular connection or any other wired or wireless communication protocol. The user 12 may upload his or her medical image (e.g., ultrasound image, magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), etc.) provided by his or her physician to the computing device 22. For example, the medical image may be the lower body portion 13 of the user 12. For example, the medical image may be an MRI of the calf muscle of the user 12. In another example, the medical image may be an MRI of the thigh muscle of the user 12.

The storage unit 70 may store therein the template image. These template images may be medical images (e.g., ultrasound images, magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), etc.) of a muscle, for example, under predetermined conditions (e.g., mild muscle strain, severe muscle contusion). Each template image may be associated with a treatment plan. For example, a template image of a calf muscle with a slight strain can be associated with one treatment regimen. In another example, a template image of the lower abdominal muscle with a light strain may be associated with another treatment regimen.

The processor 68 may be in communication with the storage unit 70 to match the uploaded image with a corresponding template image stored in the storage unit 70. Once the uploaded image matches the corresponding template image, the treatment plan associated with the template image is acquired. Based on the treatment regimen, computing device 22 may notify user 12 of shoe 28 to wear (i.e., left shoe or right shoe) and notify user 12 of shoe 28 where elongate member 26 should be attached to shoe 28 worn by user 12. Once user 12 wears shoes 28 and attaches elongate member 26 to shoes 28 worn by user 12, user 12 may select controls on computing device 22 to begin the treatment regimen, which in turn sends a signal to motor 62 to turn motor 62 into an on mode. Based on the treatment regimen, the signal sent to the motor 62 causes the motor 62 to turn on at a predetermined power for a predetermined duration. It should be appreciated that in some configurations, the signal sent to the motor 62 causes the power of the motor 62 to vary over a predetermined duration based on the treatment regimen. For example, if the motor 62 is to be operated for a predetermined duration of 10 minutes, the motor 62 may be operated at a first power for 5 minutes and at a second power for 5 minutes.

It should be appreciated that in some constructions, the storage unit 70 may be remote (e.g., in a cloud base server) and may store the template images therein. In such a configuration, computing device 22 may communicate with remote storage unit 70 such that the uploaded images may be matched with the corresponding template images stored in storage unit 70 and acquire treatment protocols associated with the corresponding template images.

It should also be appreciated that if the uploaded image does not match any of the template images stored in the storage unit 70, a custom treatment regimen will be created for the uploaded image based on the template images stored in the storage unit 70. For example, if the uploaded image is in proximity to two template images stored in the storage unit 70, the custom treatment plan may be a combination of treatment plans associated with the two template images.

In some configurations, as shown in fig. 8, user 12 may lie on his back 80 with each leg 11 raised above ground 84 (i.e., each leg 11 suspended in the air and spaced from ground 84). At this point, with vibration member 64 of each exercise apparatus 20 causing oscillation of the corresponding elongated member 26, user 12 may alternately move their legs 11 back and forth to further recover and/or exercise their lower body portion 13. In some configurations, when motor 62 is in the off mode and one of the two legs 11 is fully extended, user 12 may move foot 17 associated with extended leg 11 back and forth, causing elongate member 26 secured to foot 17 to oscillate, rather than vibrating member 64 causing elongate member 26 to oscillate. In some constructions, the user 12 may move only one leg 11 back and forth, rather than alternating the back and forth movement of both legs 11.

Referring to fig. 6, a flowchart 200 of an example embodiment of a control algorithm for oscillating at least one of the plurality of elongated members 26 of exercise apparatus 20 to exercise and/or recover lower body portion 13 of user 12 is shown. The control algorithm begins at 204. At 208, the control algorithm uses the processor 68 to upload the medical image of the user 12 to the computing device 22.

At 212, the control algorithm uses the processor 68 to match the uploaded image with a corresponding template image stored in the storage unit 70 of the computing device 22 and to obtain a treatment plan associated with the corresponding template image. At 216, the control algorithm generates a notification using the processor 68 indicating which of a plurality of positions the flexible elongate member 26 is attached to the shoe 28. For example, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 in a first position in which the elongate member 26 and the shoe 28 are parallel to one another (i.e., the shoe 28 extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 26). In another example, the elongate member 26 may be attached to the shoe 28 in a second position in which the elongate member 26 is angled (i.e., non-parallel) with respect to the shoe 28 (i.e., a portion of the elongate member 26 extends beyond the inward portion 34 of the shoe 28 at its front end and another portion of the elongate member 26 extends beyond the outward portion 36 of the shoe 28 at its rear end).

At 220, the control algorithm uses the processor 68 to inform the user 12 to begin a treatment regimen. Once user 12 begins the treatment regimen, computing device 22 sends a signal to motor 62 to turn motor 62 into an on mode. Based on the treatment regimen, the signal sent to the motor 62 causes the motor 62 to turn on at a predetermined power for a predetermined duration. In some configurations, based on the treatment regimen, the signal sent to the motor 62 causes the power of the motor 62 to vary over a predetermined duration. For example, if the motor 62 is turned to the on mode for a predetermined duration of 10 minutes, the motor 62 may be operated at a first power for 5 minutes and at a second power for 5 minutes. The motor 62 moves the vibrating member 64 up and down in the on mode, which causes the elongate member 26 to oscillate (fig. 7). The amplitude of the oscillation depends on the power at which the motor 62 is operated. For example, the oscillations of the elongate member 26 exercise and/or restore muscles in the lower body portion 13 of the user 12. The control algorithm then proceeds to 224 and ends.

The teachings of the present disclosure provide the benefit of allowing user 12 to exercise and/or rehabilitate his or her lower body section 13 without moving his or her lower body section 13. It should be appreciated that in some configurations, for example, user 12 may manually move his or her legs up and down to cause oscillation of elongate member 26 to exercise and/or rehabilitate his or her lower body portion 13. The teachings of the present disclosure may also allow user 12 to exercise and/or rehabilitation at home, rather than in a gym or rehabilitation facility. The teachings of the present disclosure may also allow user 12 to exercise and/or rehabilitate different areas of his or her lower body portion 13 based on the treatment regimen (i.e., based on the location where elongate member 26 is attached to shoe 28 and based on the duration of motor 62 on and the power setting of motor 62).

In another embodiment, referring to fig. 9-12, the exercise apparatus 10 may include a shoe binding apparatus 100 on each elongated member 26, the shoe binding apparatus 100 configured to attach the shoe 28 of the user 12 to the elongated member 26. For example, the shoe binding apparatus 100 may be used in place of the fasteners 38a, 38b and holes 40, 42 shown in FIG. 3. For example, the shoe binding apparatus 100 may include one or more attachment gripping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 configured to open and close around the shoe 28 of the user 12, attaching and locking the shoe 28 of the user 12 to the elongate member 26. For example, a portion of each of the plurality of attachment clip mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 is configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein the attachment clip mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 secure the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26 when the portions of each attachment clip mechanism 102, 104, 106, 108 are in the closed position. The attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 may be made of plastic or other suitable material for attaching and securing the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26.

Referring to fig. 9, a side view of the shoe binding apparatus 100 is shown with the attachment clip mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 in a closed position, locked onto the shoe 28 of the user 12, and securing the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26.

Referring to fig. 10, there is shown a side view of the shoe binding apparatus 100 without the shoe 28, with each of the attachment clip mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 in an open position ready to receive the shoe 28. Similarly, referring to fig. 11, there is shown a top view of the shoe binding apparatus 100 without the shoe 28, with each of the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 in an open position ready to receive the shoe 28.

Referring to fig. 12, a top view of the shoe binding apparatus 100 is shown with the attachment clip mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 in a closed position, locked onto the shoe 28 of the user 12, and securing the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26.

Each attachment clip mechanism of the plurality of attachment clip mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 may include a respective actuator 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a that operates to close the respective attachment clip mechanism 102, 104, 106, 108 and secure the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26. For example, the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a may include a spring loaded actuation device having a locking and release mechanism. In this case, the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 may be manually rotated to the open and locked positions. The actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a may be coupled to an actuator trigger 112 (shown in fig. 11), such as a manual switch, that is triggered when the shoe 28 is placed in the shoe-binding apparatus 100. For example, the actuator trigger 112 may be a manual button that the user 12 presses when the user 12 pushes the shoe 28 into position within the shoe binding apparatus 100. For example, the manual button of the actuator trigger 112 may be mechanically linked to each of the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a such that actuation of the manual button causes the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a to close. Once the actuator trigger 112 is depressed, each of the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a may be released such that the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a drive the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 to a closed position to lock and secure the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26. A release button 110 (shown in fig. 11 and 12) may be used to trigger the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a to release the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 so that the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 may be opened and the shoe 28 may be removed from the shoe binding apparatus 100. For example, the release button 110 may be mechanically linked to each of the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a such that actuation of the manual button causes the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a to open.

Additionally or alternatively, the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a may be electric actuators having one or more electric motors (e.g., one or more stepper motors) that drive pivotable portions of the attachment clamp mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 between an open position and a closed position. In this case, the actuator trigger 112 may be a sensor (e.g., a proximity sensor) that senses when the shoe 28 is placed within the shoe binding 100 and communicates an actuation signal to the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a, thereby triggering the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a to drive the pivotable portion of the attachment clamping mechanism 102, 104, 106, 108 to a closed position, securing the shoe 28 to the elongate member 26. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator trigger 112 may be a button that is pressed by the user 12 with the shoe 28. The actuator trigger 112 may be electrically connected to and in communication with each of the plurality of actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a and may communicate actuation signals to the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a. For example, in embodiments in which the actuator trigger 112 includes a proximity sensor, the actuator trigger may communicate an actuation signal to the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a after the proximity sensor senses that a shoe has entered the shoe-binding apparatus 100. For another example, in embodiments in which the actuator trigger 112 includes a button, the actuator trigger 112 may communicate an actuation signal to the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a upon the proximity sensor sensing that a shoe has entered the shoe-binding apparatus 100. Further, a release button 110 (shown in fig. 11 and 12) may be electrically connected to and in communication with each of the plurality of actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a, and may transmit a release signal to the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a to release the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 by driving the electric motor to open the attachment clamping mechanisms 102, 104, 106, 108 so that the shoe 28 may be removed from the shoe binding 100. For example, the release button 110 may be electrically connected to each of the plurality of actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a such that actuation of the release button causes the actuators 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a to open.

In another embodiment, referring to fig. 13, exercise apparatus 10 may additionally include an arm exercise apparatus 120 with levers 122 having handles 122 that may be grasped and pivoted back and forth. User 12 may be supported using arm exercise apparatus 120 as user 12 exercises the user's legs using elongate member 26. In addition, arm exercise machine 120 may include resistance to the bar used to move the arm exercise machine back and forth. In this way, the resistance can provide exercise to the user's arms as the user 12 pivots the lever back and forth through the handle 122, while the user also exercises the user's legs using the elongate member 26.

Referring to fig. 14, in another embodiment, exercise apparatus 10 may additionally include a rotating drum 140 attached to elongate member 26. In addition, exercise apparatus 10 may include rods 130 that are also attached to rotating drum 140. Each rotating drum 140 may interlock so as to rotate at the same rotational speed. Further, rotating drum 140 may be attached to elongate member 26 and rod 130 such that anchor points are 180 ° out of phase. For example, when one of the elongate members 26 is at the highest point of rotation, the other elongate member 26 is at the lowest point of rotation. When one of the elongate members 26 is at the horizontally forward-most point in rotation, the other elongate member 26 is at the horizontally rearward-most point in rotation. Similarly, when the attachment point of one of the rods 130 is at the highest rotation point, the attachment point of the other rod 130 is at the lowest rotation point. While the attachment point of one of the rods 130 is at the horizontally foremost point in rotation, the other rod 130 is at the horizontally rearmost point in rotation.

Additionally, each rod 130 may be individually configured with a motor assembly (similar to motor 62) and a vibrating member (similar to vibrating member 64) that oscillate rod 130. For example, the motor and vibration member may be located inside the rod 130 such that the rod oscillates when operated. In this way, vibration of the lever 130 may provide exercise for the arms of the user 12, while vibration of the elongate member 26 may provide exercise for the legs of the user. In addition, the rotational movement of rotating drum 140 may provide additional exercise to the legs of user 12 due to the rotational cycling movement of user 12's shoes when connected to elongate member 26, elongate member 26 in turn being attached to rotating drum 140. In addition, the rotational movement of rotating drum 140 may provide additional exercises to the arms of user 12 because the arms of user 12 move back and forth as the user grasps rod 130 attached to rotating drum 140.

In this application, including the definitions below, the term "module" may be replaced with the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to, belong to or include: an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC); digital, analog or mixed analog/digital discrete circuits (digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit); digital, analog or hybrid analog/digital integrated circuits (digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit); a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA); processor circuitry (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, for example in a system on a chip.

The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuit may include a wired or wireless interface to connect to a local area network (local area network, LAN), the internet, a wide area network (wide area network, WAN), or a combination thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among a plurality of modules connected by interface circuitry. For example, multiple modules may implement load balancing. In another example, a server (also referred to as a remote or cloud) module may perform certain functions on behalf of a client module.

The apparatus and methods described herein may be implemented, in part or in whole, by special purpose computers created by configuring a general purpose computer to perform one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. The functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as software specifications that may be converted into computer programs by routine work of a technician or programmer.

The computer program includes processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. The computer program may also comprise or be dependent on stored data. The computer program may include a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with the hardware of a special purpose computer, a device driver that interacts with a specific device of a special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, and the like.

The computer program may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as hypertext markup language (hypertext markup language, HTML) or extensible markup language (extensible markup language, XML) (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated by a compiler from source code, (iv) source code executed by an interpreter; (v) Source code compiled and executed by a real-time compiler, etc. For example only, the source code may be written using a grammar including the following languages: C. c++, C#, objective C, swift, haskell, go, SQL, R, lisp,Fortran、Perl、Pascal、Curl、OCaml、/>Hypertext markup language version 5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th revision,HTML5), ada, dynamic server webpage (Active Server Page, ASP), hypertext preprocessor (Hypertext Preprocessor, PHP), scala, eiffel, smalltalk, erlang, ruby,Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK and->

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable, and can be used with selected embodiments even if not specifically shown or described. As well as in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising:

a flexible elongate member;

a binding device attached to the flexible elongate member and having at least one clamping mechanism configured to secure a shoe of a user of the exercise apparatus to the flexible elongate member; and

a motor assembly disposed between the shoe and the flexible elongate member, the motor assembly configured to cause the flexible elongate member to oscillate.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism is pivotable between an open position in which the at least one clamp mechanism receives or releases the shoe and a closed position in which the at least one clamp mechanism secures the shoe to the flexible elongate member.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism comprises an actuator having a spring-loaded actuation device configured to drive the at least one clamp mechanism between the open and closed positions.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism comprises an actuator having an electric motor configured to drive the at least one clamp mechanism between the open and closed positions.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism comprises an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between the open position and the closed position, the exercise apparatus further comprising an actuator trigger connected to the actuator, the actuator trigger configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the closed position.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the actuator trigger comprises a mechanical button.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein the actuator trigger comprises a proximity sensor.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism comprises an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between the open position and the closed position, the exercise apparatus further comprising a release button connected to the actuator, the release button configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the open position.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor assembly comprises a motor and a plurality of vibrating members connected to the motor, and wherein the plurality of vibrating members are spaced apart from a top surface of the flexible elongate member when the motor is in a closed mode.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of vibrating members are configured to move up and down when the motor is turned to an on mode, which causes the plurality of vibrating members to strike the top surface of the flexible elongate member causing the flexible elongate member to oscillate.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an arm exercise apparatus having a bar configured to be moved back and forth by a user of the exercise apparatus.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the arm exercise apparatus is configured to provide resistance to the user moving the bar back and forth.

13. A method, the method comprising:

securing a shoe of a user of an exercise apparatus to a flexible elongate member by a binding device attached to the flexible elongate member and having at least one clamping mechanism configured to secure the shoe of the user to the flexible elongate member; and

The flexible elongate member is oscillated with a motor assembly disposed between the shoe and the flexible elongate member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism is pivotable between an open position in which the at least one clamping mechanism receives or releases the shoe and a closed position in which the at least one clamping mechanism secures the shoe to the flexible elongate member.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism comprises an actuator having a spring-loaded actuation device configured to drive the at least one clamp mechanism between the open and closed positions.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one clamping mechanism comprises an actuator having an electric motor configured to drive the at least one clamping mechanism between the open position and the closed position.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism includes an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between the open position and the closed position, the exercise apparatus further comprising an actuator trigger connected to the actuator, the actuator trigger configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the closed position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the actuator trigger comprises a mechanical button.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the actuator trigger comprises a proximity sensor.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one clamp mechanism includes an actuator that drives the at least one clamp mechanism between the open position and the closed position, the exercise apparatus further comprising a release button connected to the actuator, the release button configured to trigger the actuator to drive the at least one clamp mechanism to the open position.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the motor assembly includes a motor and a plurality of vibrating members connected to the motor, and wherein the plurality of vibrating members are spaced apart from a top surface of the flexible elongate member when the motor is in a closed mode.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of vibrating members are configured to move up and down when the motor turns to an on mode, which causes the vibrating members to strike the top surface of the flexible elongate member causing the flexible elongate member to oscillate.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising moving the arm exercise machine with the bar back and forth.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the arm exercise machine is configured to provide resistance to the user moving the bar back and forth.

25. An exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising:

first and second flexible elongate members each configured for attachment to first and second shoes, respectively, of a user of the exercise apparatus;

a first motor assembly disposed between the first flexible elongate member and the first shoe and a second motor assembly disposed between the second flexible elongate member and the second shoe, the first motor assembly and the second motor assembly configured to oscillate the first flexible elongate member and the second flexible elongate member; and

first and second rotating drums attached to the first and second flexible elongate members, respectively, and configured to rotate the first and second flexible elongate members as they oscillate.

26. The exercise apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

a first lever and a second lever attached to the first rotating drum and the second rotating drum, respectively, and configured to be grasped by the user when the user uses the exercise apparatus.

27. The exercise apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

third and fourth motor assemblies disposed within the first and second bars, respectively, and configured to oscillate the first and second bars.

28. The exercise apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first rotating drum and the second rotating drum interlock to rotate at the same rotational speed.

29. The exercise apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first and second elongate members are attached to the first and second rotating drums, respectively, at points that are 180 ° out of phase.

30. The exercise apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first and second rods are attached to the first and second rotating drums, respectively, at points 180 ° out of phase.

31. The exercise apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

first and second binding means attached to the first and second flexible elongate members, respectively, each having at least one clamping mechanism configured to secure the first and second shoes to the first and second flexible elongate members, respectively.