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Offset weight exercise device and methods of use thereofRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance, ClubOffset weight exercise device and methods of use thereof description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060281609, Offset weight exercise device and methods of use thereof. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/684,598, filed May 25, 2005. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention is generally directed to the field of exercise devices and particularly to exercise devices having an off-set weight and methods of using the exercise devices. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In the following discussion certain articles and methods will be described for background and introductory purposes. Nothing contained herein is to be construed as an "admission" of prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to demonstrate, where appropriate, that the articles and methods referenced herein do not constitute prior art under the applicable statutory provisions. [0006] In the field of upper extremity rehabilitation, delivering the highest quality of care possible to an injured person is very important to help the person regain as much functional strength as possible, as soon as possible. It is important that a therapist be able to rehabilitate the injured person with equipment that exercises the relevant musculoskeletal groups in very specific ways that are known to induce faster recovery. In particular, it is beneficial to exercise with a consistent resistance throughout the full functional range of motion and apply good torque at key points in the range of motion for developing functional strength. Working a patient against resistance through the fully functional range of motion is an important component of proper form. Exercises should be taken through the complete range of joint movement in a slow controlled manner, with emphasis placed on the completely contracted position. If the rehabilitation device does not provide forces throughout the full functional range, form is compromised. Full range of motion exercises contract and strengthen the muscle being worked (the prime mover) and stretch the opposing (antagonist) muscle. This contributes to both muscle strength and joint flexibility. [0007] The fundamental exercises of upper extremity rehabilitation from the elbow joint up to the firs are: eccentric and concentric (1) flexion, (2) extension, (3) supination, (4) pronation, (5) ulnar deviation and (6) radial deviation. Flexion is bending the hand forwards towards the palm. Extension is the opposite of flexion, that is, bending the hand backwards towards the back of the hand. Supination is opening the fist (turning it up towards the sky). Pronation is the opposite of supination, that is, closing the fist (turning it down towards the ground). Ulnar deviation is bending the fist outwards towards the ulna, the outside bone of the forearm (when looking at the back of the hand). Radial deviation is the opposite of ulnar deviation, that is, bending the fist inwards towards the radius, the inside bone of the forearm. Eccentric means lowering weight while concentric means lifting weight (i.e. concentric supination would be lifting weight while supinating). [0008] High quality equipment for performing these exercises has been developed with a characteristic of providing forces throughout full range of motion. These high quality devices often utilize some variation of a handle coupled to an external pulley resistance mechanism. This is the characteristic mechanism of high-end Nautilus machines, for example. Another example of such an apparatus, called the Multi Wrists.TM., is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates each fundamental exercise being performed on the Multi Wrists.TM. device. [0009] Rehabilitation with high-end equipment promotes faster recovery of injured muscles. This type of rehabilitation equipment is, however, difficult and expensive for use outside of clinic. This is especially true for military use abroad in theaters of conflict such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Due to the large size, high-end equipment is difficult and cumbersome to deploy. Further, because high-end equipment has so many moving parts, it requires regular maintenance, special handling, and is easily damaged with rough handling and without proper care. Additionally, due to high cost and size, high-end equipment is impractical for widespread distribution. [0010] Moreover, rehabilitation with this type of equipment requires bringing the injured person in to a rehab clinic, a geographic constraint requiring presence in and transportation to and from the clinic site. This is often very difficult and cumbersome, because many people with minor conditions such as moderate elbow, wrist, or hand tendonitis often do not feel their conditions are severe enough to keep them from working for a trip to a rehab clinic. Many soldiers with apparently minor injuries do not feel their conditions are severe enough to keep them from deploying, on a mission for a trip to a rehab clinic. For soldiers, it is important they be in optimal condition--a soldier's activity can be very physically demanding, and a condition that prevents them from seamlessly performing the fundamental motions of the wrist would impair their ability in the heat of battle. It is currently, however, difficult for physical and occupational therapists to address this problem with high-quality rehab equipment being so bulky and difficult to deploy. Additionally, because such equipment is designed only for in-clinic use many people are unable to enjoy the benefits of high quality rehab when they are away from the clinic, and cannot enjoy the benefits of high-quality exercise between visits. [0011] Due to these constraints, therapists often cannot use high-quality therapeutic devices to rehabilitate soldiers, and have no choice but to use practical alternatives that are less effective, such as, for example, a hammer as shown in FIG. 3. A patient can grasp the handle of a hammer and rotate his or her wrist to perform the fundamental exercises utilizing the hammerhead as a weight/resistance source. Some clinics also use a vertical shaft with a handle on one end and adjustable weights positioned distal to the fist. This at least gives a therapist the option of adjusting the level of resistance. [0012] Although much less extensive and more convenient, there is a significant gap in terms of quality and consistency of the forces provided between high-quality machinery such as the Multi Wrist.TM. and the hammer or vertical shaft with adjustable weights. With a vertical shaft there are several significant problems. Injury of the upper extremity is often followed by atrophy of the relevant muscle groups, typically as a result of a period of immobilization that can result from casting, bracing, or general inactivity. Atrophied muscles need to be worked throughout their full range of motion to gain strength throughout the full range of motion. This is particularly important for the ranges of motion where the muscles spend most of their time. Soldiers, as well as civilians, typically spend most of their day with their forearms/wrists in neutral and near-neutral position, such as, for example, between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 4a (supination), 4b (neutral) and 4c (pronation). [0013] It is advantageous that injured workers and soldiers regain strength within the range of motion illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a known that to gain strength within a particular functional range, one must work against resistance in that particular functional range. For example, for a patient to regain emotional strength throughout a broad range of motion, the patient has to strength train against a force throughout that broad range of motion. If they do not, they will be functionally weaker at the ranges where they did not strength train. For example, if after an injury, the patient only works his biceps by doing bicep curls starting with the arm straight down and then stopping at 90.degree. rather than curling through a complete 180.degree., the patient will not enjoy the benefit of stronger muscles for much of the remaining 90.degree. because the muscle fibers have not been strengthened for that region. The patient is functionally weak in this region compared to their strength in the region in which they performed resistance training. In areas where the patient has not been strength trained, the patient will be weak. This leads to the very serious issue of improper recovery that can lead to long-lasting pain and a higher chance of re-injury. The same is true for any range of motion that is not performed. For best results, the patient should preferably work against resistance within the full range of motion. A vertical weight does not provide this. [0014] FIGS. 5a-5c and 6a-c illustrate why vertical weights do not yield the high-quality therapeutic results provided by high-quality in-clinic equipment. Although this is much cheaper, there is an enormous gap in terms of quality and consistency of the forces provided between high-quality machinery and the hammer or vertical shaft with adjustable weights. In the neural position (FIG. 5b, 6a), the gravity vector does not induce rotation at all. In fact, the vertical weight device only provides an adequate torque at positions, unluckily, outside the most desired range of motion (beyond the limits illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5C). Thus within the range of motion illustrated in FIGS. 5a-5c, the patient is getting very little in terms of strength training. [0015] When an individual grasps the handle of an exercise apparatus with configuration as shown in FIG. 6a in preparation of, for example, eccentric pronation, the weight is initially positioned above the fulcrum, the wrist joint. In this position, rotation of the fulcrum is not induced. Rather, the exercise apparatus is predisposed towards falling through one's fist directly downwards. The inability to induce rotation is illustrated with the arrow showing the force F in FIG. 6a, which is the force created by the interaction of gravity and the mass of the weight and the lack of a moment arm. This can be a problem, because during the course of rotation, there is initially no significant induction of rotation. Then, as the position of the exercising system reaches a configuration as depicted in FIG. 6b, induction of rotation exists, as evidenced by the development of a moment arm L. The torque, however, is still very little. [0016] When the position of the exercise system reaches a configuration as depicted in FIG. 6c, further into the motion of the exercise, significantly more induction of rotation is felt. At this position, there is a significant moment arm L, and therefore appreciable torque. This is in stark contrast to the tiny induction of rotation felt with the configuration as shown in FIG. 6a. This extreme variation does not provide a consistent exercise. Consistent induction of pronation in the initial position as shown in FIG. 1 is critical for a thorough and consistent exercise that properly induces pronation of the wrist throughout the exercise of eccentric pronation (as well as concentric supination). Similarly, consistent induction of supination throughout the eccentric supination exercise and the concentric pronation exercise is critical for a thorough and consistent exercise that properly works out an individual. In particular, consistent exercises are preferable for an individual in need of wrist rehabilitation therapy. [0017] The inability of a vertical weight device to provide meaningful strength building exercise in the desired range has severe implications for the typical person, that is, a person who spends most of their time with their wrists and hands in the neutral to near-neutral range (such as, for example, 45.degree. into supination or pronation with neutral being 0.degree.). A hammer does, however, have the advantage of being rapidly deployable, durable, and portable. Thus it is a very common feature in most rehab clinics despite its lack of effectiveness. [0018] For many sports, there are a number of skills for which strong wrist and hand muscles are advantageous. As discussed above, the simple vertical exercise device cannot efficaciously strengthen these muscles. Further, unless the athlete has unfettered access to high-end machines such as the Multi Wrist.TM., the athlete faces several problems. First, without the ability to regularly exercise throughout the full range of motion, it is difficult for the athlete to enhance performance. Second, weakness in these muscle groups leave an athlete more prone to injury than if they had a practical method to strength train these muscles. [0019] For a soldier in the infantry, operating virtually any type of military equipment is rendered extremely difficult without the ability to perform pronation, supination, ulnar deviation and radial deviation with one's hands and wrists. In the heat of battle, it is important that these movements with the wrists to carry out basic activates (such as holding and operating a gun and loading ammunition) can be performed seamlessly and without pain. The effect of an inability to move the hands and wrists freely and without pain is seen clearly after analyzing how much a soldier has to pronate, supinate, ulnar and radial deviate his/her hand to operate a firearm. Additionally, it is important military personnel have and maintain proper hand and wrist function so that they can utilize keyboard and mouse interfaces seamlessly and without pain. The keyboard and mouse interfaces common in the majority of most computers are also rendered extremely difficult to use with injuries that limit these movements. In addition, wrist pain is notorious for being so pervasive in that it affects such a significant portion of the activities one has to perform that it may reduce the mental clarity of the patient. The patient may even refrain from performing motions that cause pain. This can vastly diminish the patient's quality of work. Further, this can be frustrating and lead to a vicious cycle of diminished image of self-worth because the soldier understands that without full function of their hands, they are physically capable of far less. [0020] Presently, there is a need for an exercise product that provides resistance over a full range of motion yet is mechanically simpler, smaller and cheaper than the high-quality in-clinic rehabilitation equipment currently available. Preferably, the product is highly portable and can be used outside a clinic. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0021] An embodiment of the present invention provides an exercise device comprising a handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is beveled; an arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the arm is attached to the first end of the handle; and at least one weight attached to the second end of the arm. Continue reading about Offset weight exercise device and methods of use thereof... Full patent description for Offset weight exercise device and methods of use thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Offset weight exercise device and methods of use thereof 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. 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