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Adjustable linear friction deviceRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Frictional Force ResistanceAdjustable linear friction device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070010379, Adjustable linear friction device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to exercise devices for working the forearm, wrist and hand muscles, and more particularly to such exercise devices employing frictional resistance. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Various sports activities require a certain degree of arm/wrist strength and range of motion, particularly where an object is manipulated by the player's hands (e.g. a baseball bat). However, it is sometimes the case that a player does not possess the desired strength and range of motion. Participating in the particular sports activity while possessing inadequate strength or range of motion can sometimes result in an injury to the wrist muscles, which may entail a considerable recovery period if full recovery is even possible. [0003] The wrist and associated muscles are involved in six primary forms of motion: forearm supination and pronation; wrist flexion and extension; and radiavulnar deviation: [0004] Forearm supination/pronation: Supination is forearm movement that causes the hand to be positioned palm-up, while pronation is forearm movement that causes the hand to be positioned palm-down. In supination/pronation, the axis of rotation passes through the centres of both the radial and ulnar heads, and is therefore not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forearm, pronation and supination resulting from rotation of the radius about the ulna. [0005] Wrist flexion/extension: Flexion is a downward/inward movement at the wrist that results in the palm facing inward toward the individual, while extension is an upward movement at the wrist that results in the palm facing outward. The axis of rotation passes through the centre of the capitate bone. [0006] Radial/ulnar deviation: Deviation involves side-to-side movement of the hand at the wrist. Radial deviation (also known as abduction) is a rotation of the hand toward the thumb, while ulnar deviation (also known as adduction) is a rotation away from the thumb. The axis of rotation is a line perpendicular to the plane of the palm through the intersection of the capitate and lunate bones. [0007] As inadequate strength or range of motion can result in serious injury, and the wrist is involved in a number of different forms of motion, it is therefore desirable to exercise the relevant muscles in such a way that the muscles are strengthened for all forms of motion and the range of motion for all forms of motion is improved. [0008] There are many and diverse exercise devices known in the art, a number of which are specifically directed to wrist/forearm exercise, such as Canadian Patents Nos. 658,291 to Hotas and 1,134,404 to Brentham. However, despite their utility, such devices are generally directed to only a select type of wrist/forearm motion (e.g. only wrist flexion/extension), and accordingly provide limited benefits to the player who wishes to exercise the wrists and forearms through their entire range of motion for all primary types of wrist/forearm motion. [0009] What is needed, therefore, is a device for exercising the forearm, wrist and hand, through their entire range of motion, for all primary types of wrist/forearm motion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention accordingly seeks to provide a frictional exercise device that can be used by a player to strengthen muscles of the forearm, wrist and hand, providing resistance for all six primary types of motion discussed above. [0011] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for exercising forearm, wrist and hand, the device comprising: a housing; a discoid member having a circumferential edge and opposed faces, the discoid member rotatably mounted on the housing; an anchor member on the housing adjacent the circumferential edge of the discoid member; biasing means connected to the housing adjacent the circumferential edge of the discoid member and spaced from the anchor member; an elongate friction member extending between the anchor member and the biasing means, the elongate friction member disposed against the circumferential edge of the discoid member, the elongate friction member having a first end attached to the anchor member and a second end attached to the biasing means; a shaft extending outwardly from at least one of the opposed faces; and handle means on the shaft for rotating the shaft to effect rotation of the discoid member; such that actuation of the handle means effecting rotation of the discoid member in a first direction results in a first normal friction between the elongate friction member and the circumferential edge, and actuation of the handle means effecting rotation of the discoid member in a second and opposite direction results in a second normal friction between the elongate friction member and the circumferential edge. [0012] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the device further comprises adjusting means on the housing connecting the biasing means to the housing, the adjusting means connected to the biasing means for selectively adjusting biasing effected by the biasing means, thereby selectively adjusting normal friction between the elongate friction member and the circumferential edge. Most preferably, the biasing means comprise first and second extension springs, and the adjusting means comprise: a threaded adjustment bolt mated with the housing; a nut threaded onto the threaded adjustment bolt, such that rotating the threaded adjustment bolt causes the nut to move axially along the threaded adjustment bolt; projections extending outwardly from the nut; a bar for connecting to the second end of the elongate friction member; and the first and second extension springs connected at respective first ends to the projections and at respective second ends to the bar; such that rotating the threaded adjustment bolt in a first direction causes the nut to move away from the discoid member, increasing the normal friction between the elongate friction member and the circumferential edge. [0013] The biasing means are preferably an extension spring, while the anchor member is preferably a post extending from the housing at least partially past the circumferential edge of the discoid member. The elongate friction member is preferably a band composed of material sufficient to effect a desired coefficient of friction between the elongate friction member and the circumferential edge of the discoid member, and the elongate friction member is preferably in direct contact with the circumferential edge along greater than half of the extent of the circumferential edge. [0014] The shaft preferably extends generally perpendicularly from the at least one of the opposed faces, and most preferably from each of the opposed faces. The handle means may be disposed either generally parallel to the opposed faces of the discoid member and generally perpendicular to the shaft, or generally perpendicular to the opposed faces of the discoid member and generally parallel to the shaft; this would be dictated by the type of motion the player wished to address in the exercise period, as described in greater detail below. [0015] The device is also preferably provided with vertical support means, which most preferably comprise a base member and a generally vertical mast extending upwardly therefrom, the generally vertical mast connected to the housing. [0016] A device according to the present invention, therefore, can provide the player with a resistance exercise means, where the resistance to applied torque is different depending on which direction the player rotates the shaft. Depending on how the handle means are positioned, as described in greater detail below, the player can also use a device according to the present invention to exercise the hand/wrist/forearm through all six primary types of motion, through the entire range of motion. In addition to improving a players ability, such exercise can help to prevent sports-related injury. [0017] A detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given in the following. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be construed as limited to this embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention: [0019] FIG. 1 is a detailed, simplified side elevation view of a housing, disc, and resistance means according to the present invention; [0020] FIG. 2 is a partially cut away front elevation view of a device according to the present invention; [0021] FIG. 3 is a partially cut away front elevation view of a device according to the present invention, with handles extending outwardly from the shaft perpendicular to the disc; [0022] FIG. 4 is a partially cut away front elevation view of a device according to the present invention, with both handles parallel to the disc with free ends disposed in the same direction; [0023] FIG. 5a is a partially cut away front elevation view of a device according to the present invention, with both handles parallel to the disc but the free ends disposed in opposite directions; Continue reading about Adjustable linear friction device... Full patent description for Adjustable linear friction device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Adjustable linear friction device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Adjustable linear friction device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Walking aid device Next Patent Application: Resistance exercise garment Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Adjustable linear friction device patent info. 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