US20190105533A1 - Shoulder Rehabilitation Tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoulder rehabilitation tool, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a base, a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base, and a pair of rollers mounted to the base.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The presentation invention relates, in general, to the field of physical rehabilitation and, in particular, to a tool for rehabilitating the shoulder of a person.
BACKGROUND
• For pain free motion in the shoulder of a person during rehabilitation of the shoulder, proper Scapulohumeral Rhythum is required. Scapulohumeral Rhythum is the timing mechanism that occurs between the Scapula and the Humeral Head. Following the first thirty degrees of shoulder elevation (i.e., the setting phase), the Glenohumeral joint and the Scapulothorcic joint move simultaneously as the Humerus elevates. For every two degrees of Glenohumeral joint movement, the Scapulothoracic joint moves one degree. It is a 2:1 ratio of movement.
• Motion is disturbed when only the Scapula elevates because of what is termed a substitution pattern. A substitution pattern occurs because the Rotator Cuff muscles that position the head of the Humerus become inactive because of trauma or inhibition. The larger prime mover muscles of the joint then take over as the substitutes and try to elevate the arm. When this happens, the Upper Trapezius muscle tries to elevate the arm but, without any depressive force from the Rotator Cuff muscles, no motion occurs overhead. When this one-sided movement occurs, motion overhead will fail. Thus, for motion to occur, a force couple at the Glenohumeral joint must exist. This force couple is produced by two equal and opposite forces exerting a purely rotational force. Thus, there has to be an opposite depressive force on the humeral head for the arm to elevate. When one muscle overtakes the others, only elevation occurs and motion fails.
• The final barrier to elevation/motion in the shoulder is strength. Often following surgery, the muscles are too weak to push the arm overhead, especially against gravity. One contrain the muscles in a gravity minimized position (i.e., lying supine), but then the mechanics needed for upright motion are changed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Ashoulder rehabilitation tool1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a base, a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base, and a pair of rollers mounted to the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of ashoulder rehabilitation tool1 constructed in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base portion of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1;
• FIG. 3 is a front view, partially in section, of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1;
• FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1;
• FIG. 5 is a top view of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1;
• FIG. 6 is a bottom view of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1;
• FIG. 7 is a front view of theFIG. 2 base portion of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1;
• FIG. 8 is a front view, partially in section, of theFIG. 2 base portion of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1; and
• FIG. 9 is a side view of theFIG. 2 base portion of theFIG. 1shoulder rehabilitation tool1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)
• Referring toFIGS. 1 through 9, ashoulder rehabilitation tool1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes abase20, ahandle40, and a pair ofrollers60.
• Thebase20 includes abody section22 and a pair ofroller receiving housings30.
• Thebody section22 is an elongated monolithic structures having ahandle receiving section24 positioned on a top surface thereof and extending there-through. In the shown embodiment ofFIG. 6, thebody section22 is hollow withinner bracing walls26 to provide rigidity and minimize weight of thebase20. In the shown embodiment, theinner bracing walls26 are collection of intersecting walls extending downward from an the inner surface of thebody section22.
• Eachroller receiving housing30 is positioned at each end thebody section22 and adapted to receive one of therollers60. Eachroller receiving housing30 is positioned along a common plane. As shown, eachroller receiving housing30 is connected to an end of thebody section22 and are positioned equidistant from thehandle receiving section24.
• In an exemplary embodiment, theroller receiving housing30 includes atop wall32 and a pair ofouter walls34 extending downward from thetop wall32. In the shown embodiment, thetop wall32 is arcuate shaped. Thetop wall32 and the pair ofouter walls34 provide a roller receiving space positioned there between and accommodate the shape of therollers60. Theouter walls34 include afastener receiving passageway36 extending there through. In the shown embodiment, eachroller receiving housing30 is positioned along a common axis and, more particularly, eachfastener receiving passageway36 on a side are positioned along a common axis.
• In the shown embodiment ofFIG. 6,outer bracing walls38 are provided at the point of connection between thebody section22 and thetop wall32 in order to provide further rigidity and minimize weight of thebase20. Theouter bracing walls38 are intersecting walls extending downward from an inner surface of thetop wall32. In the shown embodiment, theouter bracing walls38 are contoured shaped.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thebase20 is made from a polymeric material to facilitate manufacturing and keep the tool down. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that thebase20 can be made from various materials.
• As shown, thehandle40 is an elongated member and sized to accommodate griping by a human hand. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thehandle40 is round shaped. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that thehandle40 could be ergonomically shaped using various shapes.
• As shown inFIG. 3, thehandle40 is secured in a position relative tobase20. In the shown embodiment, thehandle40 is orthogonally positioned top thebase20, extending away from the base in a direction perpendicular to thebase20. For the embodiment of the invention illustrated and being described,handle40 includes acore42 and anouter sleeve44. More specifically, for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, the handle4360 includes a hardcylindrical core42 made from a rigid polymeric material, while the outer sleeve is made from foam, for example. One skilled in the art should appreciate that other materials may be used.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thehandle40 is removably secured to thebase20. For instance, thehandle40 is secured within thehandle receiving section24 through friction fit means. However, it is conceivable that handle be secured to thebase20 using other known means, including helical fasteners, adhesives, etc.
• In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, thehandle40 is repositionable relative tobase20 and can extend away from the base at a selectable angle to thebase20. More specifically, for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described,base20 or thehandle40 includes an angle mechanism to allow thehandle40 to rotate relative to thebase20 and then lock, so that the handle is secured at a selected angle.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, eachroller60 is an elongated, cylindrical members with abody62 and afastener receiving channel64 extending there through. As shown, thefastener receiving channel64 extends longitudinally from one end to another end of thebody62 about a center axis thereof. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, eachroller60 is made of from a thermoplastic and, more particularly, from polyoxymethylene that is commonly sold under the tradename Delrin.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, theroller60 is secured in theroller receiving housing30 using afastener70. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, thefastener70 includes a first fastener section72 and asecond fastener section80.
• The first fastener section72 includes an elongatedfemale body74 and aflanged end78 positioned at an end of the elongatedfemale body74. As shown, the elongatedfemale body74 is cylindrically shaped body and has diameter smaller than a dimeter of thefastener receiving passageway36. In the shown embodiment, the elongatedfemale body74 has a receiving section with inner threadedwalls76. Theflanged end78 is a flattened body positioned orthogonalfemale body section74 and having width or diameter larger than the diameter of thefastener receiving passageway36.
• Thesecond fastener section80 includes an elongatedmale body section82 and aflanged end86 positioned at an end of the elongatedmale body section82. As shown, the elongatedmale body section82 is cylindrically shaped body and has diameter smaller than the diameter of thefastener receiving passageway36. In the shown embodiment, the elongatedmale body section82 includes outer threadedwalls84 that correspond to the inner threadedwalls76 of the elongatedfemale body74. Theflanged end86 is a flattened body positioned orthogonalmale body section82 and having width or diameter larger than the diameter of thefastener receiving passageway36.
• Now with reference to the Figures, assembly of theshoulder rehabilitation tool1 will be described.
• Thehandle40 is press fit into thehandle receiving section24. Eachroller60 is positioned in theroller receiving housing30 and rotatably secured using afastener70. The first fastener section72 is positioned through thefastener receiving section36 of theouter wall34 and thefastener receiving channel64. Thesecond fastener section80 is positioned through thefastener receiving section36 of theouter wall34 and thefastener receiving channel64. The inner threadedwalls7676 of the first fastener section72 engage the outer thread walls of thesecond fastener section80 to secure theroller60 within theroller receiving housing30.
• Now with reference to the Figures, use of theshoulder rehabilitation tool1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, will be described.
• Theshoulder rehabilitation tool1 allows smooth correct mechanical motion to occur.Handle40 provides the wrist a neutral posture as well as allowing the Anterior Deltoid muscle the optimal angle to contract. Thehandle40 positions the Humeral head in a position, so the greater tuberosity clears the acromion and impingement is minimized. Thebase20 and therollers60 allow the upper trapezius to relax and the weakened or inhibited rotator cuff muscles to initiate and produce a depressive force couple to the joint and allow elevation with proper mechanics to occur. Frictionfree rollers60 allow even the most atrophied musculature to overcome gravity and begin strengthening. Forces coupling, eliminates substitution pattern of upper trapezius, provides optimal positioning of the wrist, humeral head and anterior deltoid muscle, friction free motion to begin strengthening with the correct mechanics
• The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the present invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range.
• Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present application including the definitions will control. Also, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.
• Also, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be nonrestrictive regarding the number of instances, that is, occurrences of the element or component. Therefore “a” or “an” should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular.
• The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application.

Claims (22)

What is claimed is:

1. A shoulder rehabilitation tool, comprising:

a base;

a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base; and

a pair of rollers rotatably secured to the base.

2. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 1, wherein the base includes a body section and a pair of roller receiving housings.

3. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 2, wherein the body section is an elongated monolithic structures having a handle receiving section positioned on a top surface thereof and extending there-through.

4. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 3, wherein the body section is hollow and includes inner bracing walls.

5. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 4, wherein the inner bracing walls are collection of intersecting walls extending downward from the inner surface of the body section.

6. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 3, wherein each roller receiving housing of the pair of roller receiving housings is positioned at each end the body section and adapted to receive one of the pair of rollers.

7. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 6, wherein each roller receiving housing is positioned along a common plane and connected to an end of the body section.

8. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 7, wherein the pair of roller receiving housings are positioned equidistant from the handle receiving section.

9. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 3, wherein each roller receiving housing of the pair of roller receiving housings includes a top wall and a pair of outer walls extending downward from the top wall.

10. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 9, wherein the top wall is arcuate shaped.

11. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 10, wherein the top wall and the pair of outer walls provide a roller receiving space positioned there between and accommodate a shape of each of the pair of rollers.

12. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 11, wherein each outer wall of the pair of outer walls include a fastener receiving passageway extending there through.

13. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 12, further comprising outer bracing walls provided at the point of connection between the body section and the top wall.

14. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 13, wherein the outer bracing walls are intersecting walls extending downward from an inner surface of the top wall.

15. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 14, wherein the outer bracing walls are contoured shaped.

16. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 1, the handle is an elongated member and sized to accommodate griping by a human hand.

17. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 16, wherein the handle is orthogonally positioned and secured to a top of the base.

18. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 16, wherein the handle includes a core and an outer sleeve.

19. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 16, wherein the handle is removably secured to the base.

20. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 16, wherein the handle is repositionable relative to base and can extend away from the base at a selectable angle to the base.

21. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 1, wherein each roller of the pair of rollers is an elongated, cylindrical members with a body and a fastener receiving channel extending there through.

22. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according toclaim 1, wherein each roller of the pair of rollers is made of from polyoxymethylene.

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