[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a portable exercise device, and more
specifically, relates to a device for strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding
the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior
art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or
implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] The rotator cuff of the shoulder is a group of four muscles that are primarily
responsible for internal and external rotation of the arm and shoulder. This muscle group is very
prone to injury from overhead throwing, lifting and various activities performed overhead. The
lack of flexibility of the rotator cuff is a primary cause of many of these injuries. Stretching these
tissues correctly is the way to prevent and or rehabilitate injuries and increase range of motion of
these joints, and their associated connective tissues. Patients suffering from rotator cuff weakness
are unable to do activities in daily life.
[0004] Traditional methods of strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff include ball
on wall techniques, in this technique, jerky movement happens that may increase the chances of
further injury due to sudden movement of ball which is handled by the affected extremity with
full elbow extension and shoulder abduction.
[0005] Therefore, there is a requirement in the art for a means that can facilitate a user to
have a steady and controlled movement of the rotator cuff in order to have a therapeutic effect on
the rotator cuff without any injuries.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] An object of the present disclosure relates, in general, to a portable exercise device,
and more specifically, relates to a device for strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff.
[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that can provide
improved assistance by wheels that can be used to move the device on the wooden track.
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[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that can use the handle
adapted for grasping with a forearm respectively by user during the performance of an exercise
on the device and to provide a comfortable and reliable grip on the device.
[0009] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that can enable
controlled movement by providing a braking mechanism.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a portable exercise device, and more
specifically, relates to a device for strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff.
[0011] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to apparatus for strengthening a rotator
cuff of a user, the apparatus including a frame adapted to be supported such that a surface of the
frame is vertical, wherein the surface of the frame is configured with a track a device adapted to
be held by an arm of the user extending from the rotator, and adapted to be pressed against the
surface and moved along the track, the device including a device frame configured with a handle
adapted to be held by the arm of the user at least one wheel coupled to the device frame, such
that when the device is pressed against the surface, the wheel is in contact with the surface and
facilitates movement of the device along the track; a braking mechanism configured to the
handle and coupled with the wheel, wherein the braking mechanism is adapted to be operated by
the user to selectively effect stoppage of the device as the device is moving along the track on the
surface.
[0012] In an embodiment, the braking mechanism can include a lever coupled with the
frame.
[0013] In another embodiment, the braking mechanism can include one or more brake
pads, each of the one or more brake pads adapted to engage with the one or more wheels.
[0014] In another embodiment, at least one spring can be positioned between the lever and
one or more brake pads and can be configured to couple brake lever with the brake pads through
one or more wires.
[0015] In another embodiment, a first end of each of the one or more wires can be coupled
to at least one spring and a second end of each of the one or more wires can be coupled to one or
more brake pads.
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[0016] In another embodiment, the at least one spring can be adapted to provide assistance
in pulling the lever towards the handle.
[0017] In another embodiment, the one or more brake pads mounted on the one or more
wheels, upon receiving the pulling force from the lever, are adapted to engage with the one or
more wheels to a provide braking force on the one or more wheels.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will
become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along
with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to
further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by
reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific
embodiments presented herein.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an apparatus for strengthening the
rotator cuff muscles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of a device with braking mechanism,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the wooden sheet, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in
the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the
disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated
variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as
defined by the appended claims.
[0024] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might”
be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be
included or have the characteristic.
5
[0025] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided
with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in
the specification should be construed as indicating any non – claimed element essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0027] The present disclosure relates, in general, to a portable exercise device, and more
specifically, relates to a device for strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff.
[0028] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to apparatus for strengthening a rotator
cuff of a user, the apparatus including a frame adapted to be supported such that a surface of the
frame is vertical, wherein the surface of the frame is configured with a track a device adapted to
be held by an arm of the user extending from the rotator, and adapted to be pressed against the
surface and moved along the track, the device including a device frame configured with a handle
adapted to be held by the arm of the user at least one wheel coupled to the device frame, such
that when the device is pressed against the surface, the wheel is in contact with the surface and
facilitates movement of the device along the track; a braking mechanism configured to the
handle and coupled with the wheel, wherein the braking mechanism is adapted to be operated by
the user to selectively effect stoppage of the device as the device is moving along the track on the
surface.
[0029] In an embodiment, the braking mechanism can include a lever coupled with the
frame.
[0030] In another embodiment, the braking mechanism can include one or more brake
pads, each of the one or more brake pads adapted to engage with the one or more wheels.
[0031] In another embodiment, at least one spring can be positioned between the lever and
one or more brake pads and can be configured to couple brake lever with the brake pads through
one or more wires.
6
[0032] In another embodiment, a first end of each of the one or more wires can be coupled
to at least one spring and a second end of each of the one or more wires can be coupled to one or
more brake pads.
[0033] In another embodiment, the at least one spring can be adapted to provide assistance
in pulling the lever towards the handle.
[0034] In another embodiment, the one or more brake pads mounted on the one or more
wheels, upon receiving the pulling force from the lever, are adapted to engage with the one or
more wheels to a provide braking force on the one or more wheels.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an apparatus for strengthening the
rotator cuff muscles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] Referring to FIG.1, the apparatus 100 for exercising, conditioning, and
strengthening various hand, wrist, forearm, and rotator cuff muscles. The exercise primarily
serves to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles by providing resistance for movement. The
apparatus can stretch the muscles without need for a physical therapist or other assistant. In other
words, the person with the injured shoulder, i.e., the patient, can operate the apparatus by himself
or herself. The attendant advantages to such a self -use device include more flexibility in
scheduling therapy sessions, reduced costs, and increased number of therapy sessions because no
appointment with a physical therapist may be needed. The apparatus can be intended to be used
for strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff and prevention of posterior capsular
tightness or capsulitis, i.e., inflammation of the shoulder capsule.
[0037] In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a device with a frame assembly that
includes a board 102, a handle 104 and one or more rollers/wheels 106. The board 102 can be
generally rectangular as shown in FIG.1, it may be of virtually any shape, and be made of
virtually any material so long as it can provide a platform sufficiently stable to facilitate
stretching of the shoulder in accordance with the methods of stretching described herein.
[0038] In an embodiment, handle 104 can be extended outwardly and can be connected on
the upper portion of board. The handle 104 can allow user to grab the device 100 with their
hands, or push against with hands, during the performance of new and beneficial exercises. The
handle 104 can be adapted for grasping with a forearm respectively by user during the
performance of an exercise on the device and to provide a comfortable and reliable grip on the
device.
7
[0039] In an embodiment, the frame assembly includes one or more rollers 106. The rollers
106 can be permitted to move the device in various directions. In an aspect, a wooden sheet 300
(also referred to as frame 300) can be used. One or more guide tracks 302 can be configured on
the wooden sheet and can provide as guidance to the user. Wooden sheet 300 can be hanged on
the wall and can be rotated at any angle according to user’s requirement. The rollers 106 can act
as wheels that can roll within the guided tracks in any orientation.
[0040] The wooden sheet with guide tracks 302 may be positioned on the floor or other
horizontal or vertical surface on which the exercise may be performed. The wooden sheet 302
includes tracks respectively, into which the wheel 106 can be positioned. The wheels 106 can
allow the arms of the user to move linearly along the guide tracks 302 in a direction determined
by the user and by the orientation of the guide tracks. For example, the guide tracks 302 may be
substantially a 90-degree angle from each other, thereby providing an exercising routine in which
the arms are extended both in an upward and outward direction while the user is exercising.
[0041] In an embodiment, to accommodate the different routines possible, the guide tracks
302 can be connected together by a suitable member which permits the guide tracks to be
oriented at different angles. The orientation of the guide tracks 302 can be used when it is desired
to exercise the arms in inward, outward directions and any combination thereof. A supporting
component can be used to perform the function of keeping the guide tracks of the wooden sheet
secured together during the exercise routine.
[0042] Additionally, a braking mechanism can be configured with the apparatus100 that can
allow the user to slow down/stop the device according to user’s requirement. The braking
mechanism includes a brake lever 202, springs 204, brake pads 208 and one or more wires206
can be configured for the connection of the lever 202 with the brake pads 208. The brake lever
202 can be pulled up to stop the device. The springs 204 can be configured to provide the
assistance in pulling the device 100 towards the handle 104. The brake pads 208 mounted on the
wheel 106 can support in stopping the wheels.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, patients suffering from rotator cuffs weakness can use
the device to strengthen the rotator cuff muscle. Patient holds the device 100 with handle 104,
places the roller 106 on the centre of the guide track 302, and moves the device slowly on the
track in various directions. When patient wants to stop the device 100, brake lever 202 can be
pulled towards the handle 104, and subsequently braking mechanism can stop the device
8
instantly. In this way, improved assistance can be provided by wheels 106 that can be used to
move the device on wooden track. The controlled movement can occur with the help of brake
pads. Due to its simple design, the device can be available at low cost.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary representation of a device with braking mechanism,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG.2, the device 200 includes a frame assembly that includes a board,
a handle and one or more rollers/wheels. A braking mechanism can be configured with the frame
assembly to slow down/stop the device. The braking mechanism includes a brake lever 202,
springs 204, wires 206 and brake pads 208. First end of each wire 206 can be connected to spring
204 and the second end can be connected to the brake pads 208 mounted on the wheel 106.The
brake lever 202 can be pulled up to stop the device 100. The springs 204 can be configured to
provide the assistance in pulling the device 200 towards the handle. The brake pads 208 mounted
on the wheel can support in stopping the wheels.
[0046] The exercise primarily serves to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles by providing
resistance for movement. The device 200 can stretch the muscles without need for a physical
therapist or other assistant. In other words, the person with the injured shoulder, i.e., the patient,
can operate the device by himself or herself. The attendant advantages to such a self -use device
include more flexibility in scheduling therapy sessions, reduced costs, and increased number of
therapy sessions because no appointment with a physical therapist may be needed. The device
can be intended to be used for strengthening the musculature of the rotator cuff and prevention of
posterior capsular tightness or capsulitis, i.e., inflammation of the shoulder capsule.
[0047] A rotator cuff device 200 can provide simultaneously stretching of the rotator cuff,
shoulder and elbow in selective upper arm positions and selective elbow positions of flexion or
extension. The device 200 can adjust to allow internal and external rotation stretching of the
shoulder at various levels of abduction. By allowing the user to control the amount of tension
being used to stretch the rotator cuff, anxieties and muscle contraction associated with having a
therapist or other currently used techniques to stretch the rotator cuff can be reduced.
[0048] In an embodiment, wooden sheet 300 can be hanged on the wall and can be rotated at
any angle according to user’s requirement. The rollers 106 can act as wheels that can roll within
the guided tracks 302 in any orientation. The wooden sheet includes tracks respectively, into
which the wheel can be positioned. The wheels can allow the arms of the user to move linearly
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along the guide tracks in a direction determined by the user and by the orientation of the guide
tracks.
[0049] For example, the user can hold the device and can be oriented with shoulder
abduction and elbow extension. The user can place the roller on the center of the wooden track
with that same position. The user can move the roller slowly on the guide track in different
directions. If patient wants to stops suddenly, the user can pull the lever and roller can stop
moving instantly. The brake lever contacting the brake pads fixedly attached to the wheel can
provide a friction resistive force to the rotational motion of the wheels.
[0050] In an embodiment, the resiliency inherent in brake lever 202 can cause the brake
lever to exert a force on the surface of the brake pads 208, when the brake lever 202 may be
displaced based on user requirement to stop the movement. Accordingly, the greater the brake
lever 202 can be displaced, the greater the force exerted on brake pads 208. In other words, the
displacement of the lever, upon the pulling force generated by the user, the frictional resistance
can be generated by the brake pads to stop the motion of the device instantly. By allowing the
user to control the amount of tension being used to stretch the rotator cuff, anxieties associated
with other currently used techniques to stretch the rotator cuff can be reduced. Furthermore,
since the user has reduced anxiety, it can be much easier to perform multiple stretches in a short
period of time.
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the wooden sheet, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, the wooden sheet 300 can be used. One or more guide tracks
302 can be configured on the wooden sheet 300 that can provide as guidance to the user.
Wooden sheet 300 can be hanged on the wall and can be rotated at any angle according to user’s
requirement. The rollers 106 can act as wheels that can roll within the guided tracks 302 in any
orientation.
[0053] In an embodiment, the guide tracks 302 may be positioned on the floor or other
horizontal surface on which the exercise may be performed. The wooden sheet 300 includes
guide tracks 302 respectively, into which the wheel can be positioned. The wheels 106 can allow
the arms of the user to move linearly along the guide tracks in a direction determined by the user
and by the orientation of the guide tracks. For example, the guide tracks 302 may be substantially
a 90-degree angle from each other, thereby providing an exercising routine in which the arms are
10
extended both in an upward and outward direction while the user is exercising. In this way,
improved assistance can be provided by wheels 106 that can be used to move the device on
wooden track.
[0054] The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components, methods,
processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including
various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will
understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure.
The present invention, in various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in the
absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof,
including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes,
e.g. for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.
[0055] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides
those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The
inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended
claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be
interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms
“comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or
steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps
may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not
expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected
from the group consisting of A, B, C … and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only
one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the
specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that
others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications
such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such
adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning
and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the
phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be
practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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[0056] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only.
Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to
those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described
in the claims.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0057] The present disclosure provides a device that can provide assistance to the user by
wheels which enables less force to move the device on wooden track and can be rotated at any
angle.
[0058] The present disclosure provides a device that can enable controlled movement by
providing a braking mechanism.
[0059] The present disclosure provides a device with low cost.

We Claim:

1. An apparatus (100) for strengthening a rotator cuff of a user, said apparatus comprising:
a frame adapted to be supported such that a surface of the frame is vertical, wherein
the surface of the frame is configured with a track; and
a device adapted to be held by an arm of the user extending from the rotator, and
adapted to be pressed against the surface and moved along the track, the device comprising:
a device frame configured with a handle (104) adapted to be held by the arm of the user;
at least one wheel (106) coupled to the device frame, such that when the device is
pressed against the surface, the wheel (106) is in contact with the surface and facilitates
movement of the device along the track; and
a braking mechanism configured to the handle (104) and coupled with the wheel
(106), wherein the braking mechanism is adapted to be operated by the user to selectively
effect stoppage of the device as the device is moving along the track on the surface.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the braking mechanism comprises a lever
(202) coupled with the frame.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the braking mechanism comprises one or more brake
pads (208), each of the one or more brake pads adapted to engage with the one or more
wheels.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one spring (204) is positioned
between the lever (202) and one or more brake pads (208), and is configured to couple
brake lever with the brake pads through one or more wires (206).
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first end of each of the one or more wires
(206) is connected to at least one spring (204),and a second end of each of the one or more
wires (206) is coupled to one or more brake pads (208).
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one spring is adapted to provide
assistance in pulling the lever towards the handle.
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7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more brake pads mounted on the
one or more wheels, upon receiving the pulling force from the lever, are adapted to engage
with the one or more wheels to provide a braking force on the one or more wheels.