US20110152035A1

US20110152035A1 - Foam roller exercise device

Info

Publication number: US20110152035A1
Application number: US12/643,690
Authority: US
Inventors: John R. Wahl
Original assignee: Balanced Body Inc
Current assignee: Balanced Body Inc
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-23

Abstract

A foam roller exercise apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the foam roller exercise apparatus may have first and second portions. The first portion may have a uniform cross-sectional shape, a first curved outer surface having a first radius of curvature, and a second curved outer surface spaced from the first curved outer surface and having a second radius of curvature. The second portion may be separable from the first portion and may have a uniform cross-sectional shape complimentary to the first portion. The foam roller exercise apparatus may have a third portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to exercise devices. In particular, it relates to foam roller exercise devices.
2. State of the Art
Foam rollers are currently utilized by physical therapists and Pilates practitioners in the performance of a number of physical exercises to enhance core strength of a patient's back and abdominal region. In use, a person typically lies on his or her back with the foam roller between the user's back and a floor surface. The foam roller is typically aligned along the user's spine. These exercises facilitate balance, develop good posture and emphasize balance awareness.
These foam rollers are typically about 6 inches in diameter and about three feet long, and made of a semi rigid polyethylene foam or other semi rigid, yet marginally compressible plastic foam material so as not to be impermissibly uncomfortable to a user lying on the roller. Since the roller is typically about 6 inches in diameter, a person lying on her back is spaced a substantial distance from the floor. While this facilitates achieving balance when the user attempts to keep her arms off the floor, a six inch distance may be less than desirable for use by a physical therapist's patient during rehabilitation efforts. A smaller diameter foam roller may thus be desirable in such instances.
Foam rollers provide excellent tactile prompts for the user and are especially helpful in core stability training. Because foam rollers are cylindrical and inherently unstable, they challenge the user's conscious awareness, provide sensory motor challenges, and enhance balance reactions, muscle re-education motor planning and neural flexibility.
Foam rollers have been produced in 3 inch and 2 inch diameters but none has achieved the success that the 6 inch diameter roller has. However, these rollers do not spread the user's body weight over as large a surface area as the 6 inch roller, and thus are somewhat less comfortable to use properly. In addition, the smaller diameter produces an undesirably small radius of curvature that is uncomfortable to use. Larger diameter rollers undesirably space a user's body too far from the support floor to be practically useful.
Therefore there is a need for a roller that spaces a user's body closer to the floor yet provides a comfortable curved surface upon which to lie, and also provides a larger radius of curvature for use by those who find the 6 inch diameter rollers uncomfortable to use. There is also a need for a roller design with different curvatures that accommodates users of different body types, weights, and physical conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A foam roller exercise device in accordance with the present disclosure accomplishes a shape and form to accommodate users of different body types, weights, and physical conditions. In one aspect, the foam roller exercise device is elongated and includes a first portion. The first portion comprises a uniform cross-sectional shape, a first curved outer surface having a first radius of curvature and a second curved outer surface spaced from the first curved outer surface. The second curved outer surface has a second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature. The first and second curved outer surfaces are joined by separate outer surfaces.
In one embodiment, the first radius of curvature is centered about a first longitudinal axis through the elongated foam roller exercise device and the second radius of curvature is centered about a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis is parallel to and spaced from the second longitudinal axis. For example, the distance from the first longitudinal axis to the first curved outer surface is greater than the distance from the first longitudinal axis to the second curved outer surface and the distance from the second longitudinal axis to the first curved outer surface is less than the distance from the second longitudinal axis to the second curved outer surface. In one embodiment, the separate outer surfaces joining the first and second curved outer surfaces are concave and parallel to and spaced from each other.
In another embodiment, the elongated foam roller exercise device includes first and second separable portions together forming a generally right circular cylindrical body about a central axis. The first portion may have a first curved outer surface having a first radius of curvature about the central axis and a second curved outer surface spaced from the first curved outer surface. The second curved outer surface may have a second radius of curvature about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the central axis. In such an embodiment, the first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature. The first curved outer surface and the second curved outer surface are joined by third surfaces. The third surfaces may be concave, and/or flat, and parallel to and spaced from each other. The second portion of the elongated foam roller exercise device preferably has a uniform cross-sectional shape complimentary to the first portion so that together the portions form a generally right circular cylindrical body.
In a further embodiment, the elongated foam roller exercise device includes first, second and third separable portions. The first and second portions fit together as described above. The third portion has a uniform cross-sectional shape, a first curved outer surface, and a second curved outer surface spaced from the first curved outer surface. The uniform cross-sectional shape is complimentary to the generally right circular cylindrical body formed when the first portion and the second portion are placed together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and features and objects of the disclosure, including those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a foam roller in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the foam roller shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the two portions of the foam roller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a foam roller in accordance with the present disclosure that has three separable portions.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the art disclosed may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the art disclosed.
A perspective view of one embodiment of a foam roller exercise device 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The foam roller exercise device 100 includes a first portion 110 having a uniform cross-sectional shape, a first curved outer surface 112, and a second curved outer surface 114 spaced from the first curved outer surface 112. The first curved outer surface 112 has a first radius of curvature and the second curved outer surface 114 has a second radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature is greater than the first radius of curvature. The first curved outer surface 112 and the second curved outer surface 114 are joined by separate outer surfaces 116. The foam roller exercise device 100 may be any polymer foam material suitable to achieve comfortableness and proper use of the foam roller exercise device 100, such as a polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam, and/or closed-cell foam, to name a few.
In one embodiment, the first radius of curvature may be centered about a first longitudinal axis A through the elongated roller and the second radius of curvature may be centered about a second longitudinal axis B parallel to the first longitudinal axis A. The first longitudinal axis A is preferably parallel to and spaced from the second longitudinal axis B. The separate outer surfaces 116 may be any shape and/or length suitable to enable the first curved outer surface 112 and the second curved outer surface 114 to be joined. For example, the separate outer surfaces 116 may be concave, flat, wavy, and/or zigzag, to name a few. In one embodiment, the distance from the first longitudinal axis A to the first curved outer surface 112 is greater than the distance from the first longitudinal axis A to the second curved outer surface 114. The distance from the second longitudinal axis B to the first curved outer surface 112 is less than the distance from the second longitudinal axis B to the second curved outer surface 114.
An end view of one embodiment of a foam roller reformer exercise device 100 is shown in FIG. 2. The end view includes the first curved outer surface 112, the second curved outer surface 114, the separate outer surfaces 116, and axis A and B. In the illustrated embodiment, the separate outer surfaces 116 are concave and parallel to and spaced from each other. The first curved outer surface 112 and the second curved outer surface 114 are joined by the separate outer surfaces 116.
The foam roller reformer exercise device 100 may include first and second separable portions together forming a generally right circular cylindrical body. For example, and with reference now to FIG. 3, the first portion 110 is separate from a second portion 320. The first portion 110 and the second portion 320 form a generally right circular cylindrical body about a central axis when the first portion 110 and the second portion 320 are placed together. The first portion 110 has a first curved outer surface 112 and a second curved outer surface 114. The first curved outer surface 112 has a first radius of curvature about the central axis. The second curved outer surface 114 is spaced from the first curved outer surface 112 and has a second radius of curvature about a second axis that is parallel to and spaced from the central axis.
In one embodiment, the distance from the central axis to the first curved outer surface 112 of the first portion 110 is greater than the distance from the central axis to the second curved outer surface 114 of the first portion 110. The distance from the second axis to the first curved outer surface 112 of the first portion 110 is less than the distance from the second axis to the second curved outer surface 114 of the first portion 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the first curved outer surface 112 of the first portion 110 and the second curved outer surface 114 of the first portion 110 are joined by third surfaces 316. The third surfaces 316 may be any shape and/or length suitable to enable the first curved outer surface 112 and the second curved outer surface 114 to be joined. For example, the third surfaces 316 may be concave, flat, wavy, and/or zigzag, to name a few. The third surfaces 316 are concave and are parallel to and spaced from each other.
In another embodiment, the second portion 320 of the foam roller exercise device 100 has a uniform cross-sectional shape complimentary to the first portion 110 of the foam roller exercise device 100 so that together the portions form a generally right circular cylindrical body. For example, the second portion 320 attaches to the first portion 110 via surfaces 324 complimentary to the third surfaces 316 of the first portion 110. The surfaces 324 may be any shape and/or length suitable to enable the second portion 320 to be attached to the first portion 110. For example, the surfaces 324 of the second portion 320 may be convex, flat, wavy, and/or zigzag, to name a few. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces 324 of the second portion 320 are convex and parallel to and spaced from each other.
In a further embodiment, the second portion 320 has a first curved outer surface 326 and a second curved outer surface 328. The first curved outer surface 326 preferably has a radius of curvature equivalent to the first radius of curvature of the first curved outer surface 112 of the first portion 110. The second curved outer surface 328 preferably has a radius of curvature equivalent to the second radius of curvature of the second curved outer surface 114 of the first portion 110. The second portion 320 includes an outer layer 322 covering the first curved outer surface 326. This outer layer 322 may be a polymer, such as a plastic and/or elastomer.
In one embodiment, and with reference now to FIG. 4, the foam roller exercise device 100 includes a third portion 410 having a uniform cross-sectional shape, a first curved outer surface 412, and a second curved outer surface 414 spaced from the first curved outer surface 412. The first curved outer surface 412 may have a radius of curvature equivalent to the radius of curvature of the first curved outer surface 326 of the second portion 320. The second curved outer surface 414 may have more than one radius of curvature, each radius of curvature being different in length from each other. The uniform cross-sectional shape of the third portion 410 is complimentary to the generally right circular cylindrical body formed when the first portion 110 and the second portion 320 are placed together so that the first portion 110 and the second portion 320 may be placed together with the third portion 410 forming a single foam roller exercise device 100. The third portion 410 includes an outer layer 416 covering the second curved outer surface 414. This outer layer 416 may be a polymer, such as a plastic and/or elastomer.
An end view of one embodiment of a foam roller exercise device 100 is shown in FIG. 5. The end view includes the first portion 110, second portion 320, and third portion 410 of the foam roller exercise device 100. The first portion 110 includes the first curved outer surface 112, the second curved outer surface 114, and the separate outer surfaces 116. The second portion 320 includes the first curved outer surface 326, the second curved outer surface 328, surfaces 324, and outer layer 322. The third portion 410 includes the first curved outer surface 412, the second curved outer surface 414, and the outer layer 416.
Various modifications and alternatives to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, all such alternatives, variations and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of and as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An exercise device comprising:

an elongated roller for supporting at least a portion of a user's body above a support surface during an exercise activity, the elongated roller having a first longitudinal axis and a uniform cross-sectional shape transverse to the first longitudinal axis, the elongated roller having a first curved outer surface having a constant first radius of curvature and a second curved outer surface parallel to and spaced from the first curved outer surface, the second curved outer surface having a constant second radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature, wherein the first and second curved outer surfaces are spaced apart by separate outer surfaces extending parallel to the first and second curved outer surfaces.

22. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the first radius of curvature is centered about the first longitudinal axis through the elongated roller and the second radius of curvature is centered about a second longitudinal axis.

23. The exercise device of claim 22, wherein the first longitudinal axis is parallel to and spaced from the second longitudinal axis.

24. The exercise device of claim 23, wherein the separate outer surfaces are concave.

25. The exercise device of claim 23, wherein the distance from the second longitudinal axis to the first curved outer surface is less than the distance from the second longitudinal axis to the second curved outer surface.

26. An exercise device the exercise device comprising:

an elongated roller for supporting at least a portion of a user away from a support surface during an exercise activity, the elongated roller having first and second separable portions together forming a body symmetrical about a central axis, the first portion having a first curved outer surface having a first radius of curvature about the central axis, a second curved outer surface spaced from the first curved outer surface, the second curved outer surface having a second radius of curvature about a second axis parallel to and spaced from the central axis.

27. The exercise device of claim 26, wherein the second portion of the elongated roller has a uniform cross-sectional shape complimentary to the first portion.

28. The exercise device of claim 26, wherein the distance from the central axis to the first curved outer surface is greater than the distance from the central axis to the second curved outer surface.

29. An exercise device comprising:

an elongated roller for supporting a portion of a user above a support surface during an exercise activity, the elongated roller having a first portion and a second portion separable from the first portion, the first portion having a first curved outer surface, a second curved outer surface spaced from the first curved outer surface, and third surfaces spacing the first curved outer surface from the second curved outer surface, wherein the first curved outer surface has a constant first radius of curvature about a first longitudinal axis through the elongated roller, wherein the second curved outer surface has a constant second radius of curvature about a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and the third surfaces extend parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

30. The exercise device of claim 29, wherein the first radius of curvature is different from the second radius of curvature.

31. The exercise device of claim 30, wherein the distance from the first longitudinal axis to the first curved surface is greater than the distance from the first longitudinal axis to the second curved surface.