Therapeutic, Fitness, And Sports Enhancement Device
Patent No. US12193986 (titled "Therapeutic, Fitness, And Sports Enhancement Device") was filed by Performance Solutions Llc on Nov 2, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’986 is related to the field of therapeutic and fitness devices, specifically addressing the need for improved soft tissue mobilization, body core strength, and balance training. Traditional cylindrical foam rollers, while useful, often lack effectiveness in targeting specific soft tissues and can be unstable, leading to user frustration and reduced training benefits. The invention aims to overcome these limitations by introducing a device with strategically designed projections.
The underlying idea behind ’986 is to enhance the effectiveness of soft tissue mobilization by incorporating projections on a cylindrical body . These projections, in combination with the body's density and diameter, are designed to penetrate and manipulate soft tissues more effectively than a smooth cylindrical surface. The insight is that varying the shape, density, and arrangement of these projections allows for targeted mobilization, breaking up collagenous fibers and improving tissue flexibility and distensibility.
The claims of ’986 focus on a soft tissue mobilization device comprising a cylindrical core made of closed cell foam, rubber, or plastic, and an overlay surrounding the core. The overlay also consists of closed cell foam, rubber, or plastic and features projections designed to extend into soft tissue under the user's body weight. The device's diameter ranges from about 3 to about 15 inches, and the target soft tissues include fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, or combinations thereof. The core provides resistance to compression for the overlay.
In practice, the user applies pressure to the device, causing the projections to engage with the targeted soft tissues. The shape and arrangement of the projections, along with the density of the cylindrical body, determine the intensity and depth of the mobilization. By rolling the device over the body, the projections massage and break up scar tissue, increasing flexibility and reducing muscle soreness. The device can be manufactured using extrusion or molding processes, allowing for precise control over the shape and density of the components.
The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the strategic use of projections to enhance soft tissue mobilization. Unlike conventional smooth foam rollers, the projections provide a more targeted and effective massage, breaking up collagenous fibers and improving tissue health. The combination of the projections' shape, the body's density, and the overall diameter allows for a customizable approach to soft tissue therapy, addressing a wider range of needs and improving the effectiveness of body core strength and balance training.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2000s when ’986 was filed, tissue mobilization was typically implemented using cylindrical foam rolls. At a time when systems commonly relied on manual manipulation rather than automated devices, hardware or software constraints made varying the density, diameter, and projection shapes of such rolls non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The application was subject to a final rejection. Claims were rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) and 103(a) based on prior art teaching similar soft tissue mobilization devices. The applicant's arguments were considered but deemed unpersuasive by the examiner. The prosecution record does not describe the technical reasoning or specific claim changes that led to allowance.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, with claim 1 being independent. Independent claim 1 is directed to a soft tissue mobilization device comprising a cylindrical core and an overlay with projections. The dependent claims generally specify details and variations of the projections, materials, patterns, and manufacturing processes of the device described in the independent claim.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
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US12193986
- Application Number
- US17086691
- Filing Date
- Nov 2, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jul 11, 2027
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents