Exercise device for muscles and tendons of the elbow joint

Abstract

An exercise device for strengthening the small muscles and tendons that stabilize the inner and outer parts of the elbow includes a hollow outer housing, an inner housing adapted to slide into and out of the hollow outer housing, a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing, a connector secured to the inner housing and passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing, and the inner housing is adapted to slide from a retracted position to an extended position against the resistance provided by one or more elastic bands.

1 . An exercise device for small muscles and tendons that surround and stabilize an elbow joint, the exercise device comprising:
 a hollow outer housing having a first end, a second end, and sidewalls;   an inner housing adapted to slide into and out of the hollow outer housing, the inner housing having an interior, a first end, a second end, and a length;   a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, the plurality of elastic bands having a first end connected to the first end of the hollow outer housing and a second end connected to the second end of the inner housing;   a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing; and   a connector having a first end secured to the inner housing and a second end passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing;   wherein the inner housing is adapted to slide from a retracted position to a fully extended position against resistance provided by the elastic bands.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic bands run through the length of the inner housing, exit through the first end of the inner housing and the first end of the hollow outer housing, turn in a 180 degree direction, and then are secured to the first end of the hollow outer housing. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device according to  claim 2 , wherein the elastic bands are bungee cords. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second ends of the elastic bands are secured together. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device further includes a handle connected to the second end of the connector. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector has a T-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is removable. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device according to  claim 1 , further including an anti-friction insert between the outer housing and the inner housing. 
     
     
         9 . A method for isolating and strengthening muscles and tendons of an elbow joint, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing to a user an exercise device having a hollow outer housing having a first end, a second end, and sidewalls, an inner housing sliding into and out of the hollow outer housing, the inner housing having an interior, a first end, a second end, and a length, a plurality of elastic bands placed inside the interior of the inner housing, the plurality of elastic bands having a first end connected to the first end of the hollow outer housing and a second end, a slot located along the sidewalls of the hollow outer housing, a connector having a first end secured to the inner housing and a second end passing through the slot of the hollow outer housing; and   sliding the inner housing from a retracted position to an extended position through and beyond the hollow outer housing.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the elastic bands run through the length of the inner housing, exit through the first end of the inner housing and the first end of the hollow outer housing, turn in a 180 degree direction, and then are secured to the first end of the hollow outer housing.