BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to physical therapy and/or general fitness devices utilizing resistance bands.

Balance is foundational to any and all age groups, whether athletes or not. From a baby learning to walk and gaining their balance, to the gifted athlete or seniors, all can benefit from improved balance. Statistically, falls account for the death every 20 minutes of an older person in the United States. 76% of these falls are lateral or sideways falls, according to the Center for Disease Control. Falls are the top cause of fatal injuries in older adults, and many falls are preventable. One-third of adults aged 65 or older fall each year, while 95% of all hip fractures are caused by falling. Fallers typically have less muscular strength in their lower extremities than non-fallers, according to the American Council on Exercise (On et al. 2008). Falling one time doubles your chance of falling again. Falls presently cost our U.S. health care system over $50 billion annually. Current demographics show an acceleration in the elderly population, which is the group most at risk of falls, with attendant health care costs only increasing.

Optimizing balance and fall prevention requires strengthening the foot and leg muscles, including the hip flexors, hip extensors, hip abductors, knee flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors and ankle plantar flexors. Strengthening these leg muscles results in a statistically significant improvement in balance (Journal of Physical Therapy Science 26: 1771-1774, 2014). However, seniors often struggle with balance, as they lose muscle mass with advancing age, while also becoming more afraid of a fall as they age.

Resistance bands have been used to optimize balance and increase leg strength. However, while these bands are excellent tools, they can be dangerous. First, they can easily slip out from under the users' foot and snap up and hit the exerciser. Second, standing on an exercise band is not recommended as the wear and tear from shoes onto the tubing can cause the tubing or band to fray, weaken and break. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a physical therapy and fitness device that enhances balance and strengthens leg muscles, while avoiding these problems encountered with resistance bands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior physical fitness devices using resistance bands, while providing new advantages not previously associated with them.

In a preferred embodiment, a physical therapy and fitness device is provided which may, but need not, include a pair of handles, each graspable by a user's hand, and one or more balance pedals (preferably a pair), adapted to removably support a user's foot of the user. In the particularly preferred embodiment, the balance pedal(s) are slidable along one or more resistance bands attached, directly or indirectly, to the handles. The bands may be elastic or inelastic, but are preferably elastic.

In one preferred embodiment, the balance pedal(s) stay connected to the user's feet due at least in part to upward forces generated by the user's hands acting upwardly on the band(s) and therefore the pedal(s), and not because it is necessary to tie in or otherwise attach the user's feet to the pedals.

The balance pedal(s) may include an aperture or cavity through which the band(s) pass, thereby permitting the balance pedal to be slidable relative to the band(s) when a lateral force is exerted on the pedal by a user's foot. Preferably, the aperture or cavity is adapted for relatively frictionless sliding contact between the aperture or cavity and the band(s) passing through it.

In one preferred embodiment, a top surface of the balance pedal(s) may include opposing projecting lips or ledges, to facilitate holding a user's foot in place during use of the device. In another embodiment, the distance between the projecting lips may be adjusted. Top and/or bottom surfaces of each balance pedal may also include frictional grooves adapted to provide a gripping action between the top surface of each balance pedal and a user's foot, and between the bottom surface of each balance pedal and the ground.

Preferably, the length of the pedal(s) is less than the length of a user's foot, thereby enabling the foot to rock back-and-forth relative to the pedal during use of the device, further enhancing the stability exercise.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the bands may color-coded to denote different lengths for seating or standing use and/or differing resistances.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the physical therapy and fitness device may include only one or more balance pedals, adapted to removably support a foot of the user during use of the device. The one or more balance pedals may be slidable along one or more resistance bands. As an example, two balance pedals may be slidable along a single resistance band. Also, one or a pair of graspable handles may be connected or attached to the one or more resistance bands and may, but need not, be used.

The balance pedal(s) may each include an elongated slot running longitudinally along a bottom surface of the balance pedal, and adapted to receive the resistance band, thereby permitting the resistance band to be slidable within the elongated slot of the balance pedal when a lateral force is exerted on the pedal by a foot of a user of the device. In one preferred embodiment, the elongated slot is ovoid in cross-sectional shape, and may have smooth outer edges providing relatively frictionless sliding contact between the slot and the resistance band passing through it.

Preferably, the balance pedals remain in contact with a user's foot due at least in part to upward forces generated by the user's hands acting upwardly on the one or more bands and the one or more pedals, and not due to tying in or otherwise attaching the user's feet to the pedals.

In a preferred embodiment, a top surface of each balance pedal includes opposing projecting raised ledges which facilitate holding a foot of a user of the device in place during use of the device. In one embodiment, the distance between the raised ledges may be adjusted.

A top surface of each balance pedal may include frictional grooves or pads adapted to provide a gripping action between the top surface of each balance pedal and a user's foot. Alternatively, or in addition, a bottom surface of each balance pedal may include frictional grooves or pads adapted to provide a gripping action between the bottom surface of each balance pedal and the ground.

In one embodiment, a top surface of the balance pedal has a convex curvature in cross-section, sized to accommodate a foot of a user of the device. Further, opposing ends of the elongated slot, or a longitudinal trough, may be tapered to facilitate guiding of the resistance bands into the elongated slot. Preferably, the width of the elongated slot is less than the untensioned diameter of the resistance band, to keep the band in place within the balance pedal's slot.

Preferably, the elongated slot is positioned at or closely adjacent to a center-of-mass location of the pedal.

As an example, a preferred embodiment of the balance pedal can support up to about 1,000 pounds before failing.

The balance pedals may be made of materials including ABS, polycarbonate, or a blend of each. Each balance pedal may have a lattice structure and is relatively lightweight, at about or less than 6 ounces each.

In an alternative embodiment, no break in the bottom surface of the balance pedal exists, so no elongated slot or longitudinal trough is formed. This will provide an even stronger version of the balance pedal.

DEFINITION OF CLAIM TERMS

The terms used in the claims of the patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.

“Balance pedal” means a foot support, slidable along a resistance band. Each balance pedal may but need not be connected by a resistance band to a handle.

“Resistance band” means a band, rope or cord, including but not limited to physical fitness devices commonly known as “resistance bands” or “resistance cords” or “fitness bands” or “fitness cords.” (The “resistance band” need not be elastic or stretchable; as a non-limiting example, a nylon band is included within the term “resistance band” here.)

