Therapy device, toy and method

Abstract

The invention includes a block and a cord threaded through a bore formed within the block. The bore bears a crooked configuration such that when the cord is in a slack position, the block is displaceable along the cord. However, when the cord is taut it frictionally engages the block within the bore and restricts displacement of the block along the cord.

1 . A device including:
 a block;   a cord threaded through a bore formed within the block, the cord having a diameter smaller than the bore, thereby enabling the block to slide along the cord; and wherein,
 the bore bears a crooked configuration such that
 when the cord is in a slack position, the block is displaceable along the cord; and, 
 when the cord is pulled to a taut position, the cord frictionally engages the block within the bore, thereby restricting displacement of the block along the cord. 
 
   
   
   
       2 . The device as in  claim 1 , the block comprising at least one of:
 a rectangular solid;   a triangular solid;   a pyramid; or,   a sphere.   
   
   
       3 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein
 the block includes parts that are selectively fastenable together.   
   
   
       4 . The device as in  claim 3 , wherein the parts of the block include weighted elements that enable a user to selectively change the weight of the block. 
   
   
       5 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising handles positioned at opposing ends of the cord. 
   
   
       6 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein at least one handle is removable from the cord, thereby enabling the cord to be removed from the block. 
   
   
       7 . The device as in  claim 5 , further comprising at least one stop positioned on the cord adjacent at least one of the opposing ends of the cord. 
   
   
       8 . The device as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mark positioned at selected positions on the cord. 
   
   
       9 . The device as in  claim 1 , the bore comprising a pair of generally linear tunnels that form an angle. 
   
   
       10 . The device as in  claim 9 , wherein the angle is in the range of 175-178 degrees. 
   
   
       11 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 providing a block;   forming a bore passing through the block;   threading a cord through the bore formed within the block, the cord having a diameter smaller than the bore, thereby enabling the block to slide along the cord;   configuring the bore to have a crooked configuration;   positioning the block adjacent a first end of the cord;   elevating the first end of the cord with respect to its second end, thereby urging the block to displace downwardly along the cord toward the second end;   pulling the cord taut, thereby causing the block to engage the cord within the bore, restricting displacement of the block along the cord.   
   
   
       12 . The method as in  claim 11 , the block comprising at least one of:
 a rectangular solid;   a triangular solid;   a pyramid; or,   a sphere.   
   
   
       13 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein
 the block includes parts that are selectively fastenable together.   
   
   
       14 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of
 forming the block to include weighted elements that enable a user to select the weight of the block.   
   
   
       15 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising handles positioned at opposing ends of the cord. 
   
   
       16 . The method as in  claim 15 , wherein at least one handle is removable from the cord, thereby enabling the cord to be removed from the block. 
   
   
       17 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein
 the step of forming the bore includes the steps of   making a pair of generally linear tunnels that form an angle.   
   
   
       18 . The method as in  claim 7 , wherein the angle is in the range of 175-178 degrees. 
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of
 slackening the cord until the block displaces to a position adjacent the second end of the cord.   
   
   
       20 . The method as in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of elevating the second end of the cord relative the first end of the cord, thereby urging the block to displace downwardly along the cord towards its first end.