In-field kits and systems for self-directed theraputic pulley-based muscle rehabiliation methods

Abstract

In-field kits and systems for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods. The in-field kit and system comprises ring-shaped fasteners that can be removably coupled to preselected locations on a stationary structure, such as a chain link fence. Pulleys are coupled to the ring-shaped fasteners and an inelastic tether spans the pulleys. The tether has a proximal end portion to which a handle is coupled and a distal end portion to which a weight is coupled. The weight and pulleys provide resistance when a person uses the handle to perform any one of a multiplicity of exercise routines. Use of the invention obviates a need to have a physical therapist present at all times during rehabilitation of an injured user because the invention is a pulley-based system usable at home or at an athletic field.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An in-field kit for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods, comprising:
 a plurality of ring-shaped fasteners adapted to be coupled to respective ones of a plurality of preselected locations on a stationary structure;   a plurality of pulleys adapted to be coupled to respective ones of said plurality of ring-shaped fasteners;   a tether adapted to engage said pulleys, said tether having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a handle adapted to be coupled to the proximal end portion of said tether for placing said tether in tension, so that an injured muscle group of a user is rehabilitated as said tether is placed in tension.   
     
     
         2 . The in-field kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of aid plurality of ring-shaped fasteners comprises an O-ring clip. 
     
     
         3 . The in-field kit of  claim 2 , wherein said O-ring clip comprises a screw-threaded latch. 
     
     
         4 . The in-field kit of  claim 2 , wherein said O-ring clip comprises a slideable latch. 
     
     
         5 . The in-field kit of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end portion of said tether is adapted to be coupled to a weight. 
     
     
         6 . The in-field kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a container adapted to contain at least one of said plurality of ring-shaped fasteners, said plurality of pulleys, said tether and said handle. 
     
     
         7 . The in-field kit of  claim 1 , wherein said tether is inelastic. 
     
     
         8 . An in-field kit for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods, comprising:
 a plurality of O-ring clips adapted to be connected to respective ones of a plurality of preselected locations on a stationary structure, each of said plurality of O-ring clips being openable and closeable for selectively positioning each of said plurality of O-ring clips on the stationary structure;   a plurality of pulleys adapted to be connected to respective ones of said plurality of O-ring clips;   a flexible tether adapted to slidably engage said plurality of pulleys, said tether having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion being adapted to connect to a weight; and   a handle adapted to be connected to the proximal end portion of said tether for placing said tether in tension, so that an injured muscle group of a user is rehabilitated as said tether is placed in tension.   
     
     
         9 . The in-field kit of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of O-ring clips comprises a screw-threaded latch for opening and closing each of said plurality of said O-ring clips. 
     
     
         10 . The in-field kit of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of O-ring clips comprises a slidable latch for opening and closing each of said plurality of said O-ring clips. 
     
     
         11 . The in-field kit of  claim 8 , wherein the distal end portion of said ether is adapted to be connected to a weight. 
     
     
         12 . The in-field kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a tote bag sized to contain said plurality of O-ring clips, said plurality of pulleys, said tether and said handle. 
     
     
         13 . The in-field kit of  claim 8 , wherein said tether is inelastic. 
     
     
         14 . An in-field kit for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods, comprising:
 a plurality of split O-ring clips defining a gap therein adapted to be opened and closed for connecting each of said plurality of O-ring clips to respective ones of a plurality of preselected locations on a stationary structure, each of said plurality of O-ring clips including a latch mechanism associated with the gap for opening and closing the gap;   a plurality of friction-free pulleys adapted to be connected to respective ones of said plurality of O-ring clips;   a flexible tether adapted to slidably engageably span said plurality of pulleys, said tether having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;   a handle adapted to be connected to the proximal end portion of said tether, said handle including a hook member for engaging the proximal end portion of said tether, said handle being adapted for placing said tether in tension, so that an injured muscle group of a user is rehabilitated as said tether is placed in tension; and   a tote bag sized to contain said plurality of O-ring clips, said plurality of pulleys, said tether and said handle.   
     
     
         15 . The in-field kit of  claim 14 , wherein said latch mechanism comprises a screw threaded latch. 
     
     
         16 . The in-field kit of  claim 14 , wherein said latch mechanism comprises a slidable latch. 
     
     
         17 . The in-field kit of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end portion of said tether is adapted to be connected to a weight. 
     
     
         18 . The in-field kit of  claim 14 , wherein said tether is inelastic. 
     
     
         19 . An in-field system for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods, comprising:
 a plurality of ring-shaped fasteners adapted to be coupled to respective ones of a plurality of preselected locations on a stationary structure;   a plurality of pulleys adapted to be coupled to respective ones of aid plurality of ring-shaped fasteners;   a tether adapted to engage said pulleys, said tether having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a handle adapted to be coupled to the proximal end portion of said tether for placing said tether in tension, so that an injured muscle group of a user is rehabilitated as said tether is placed in tension.   
     
     
         20 . The in-field system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of aid plurality of ring-shaped fasteners comprises an O-ring clip. 
     
     
         21 . The in-field system of  claim 20 , wherein said O-ring clip comprises a screw-threaded latch. 
     
     
         22 . The in-field system of  claim 19 , wherein said O-ring clip comprises a slidable latch. 
     
     
         23 . The in-field system of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end portion of said tether is adapted to be coupled to a weight. 
     
     
         24 . The in-field system of  claim 19 , further comprising a container adapted to contain at least one of said plurality of ring-shaped fasteners, said plurality of pulleys, said tether and said handle. 
     
     
         25 . The in-field system of  claim 19 , wherein said tether is inelastic. 
     
     
         26 . A method of assembling an in-field kit for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods, comprising:
 providing a plurality of ring-shaped fasteners adapted to be coupled to respective ones of a plurality of preselected locations on a stationary structure;   providing a plurality of pulleys adapted to be coupled to respective ones of the plurality of ring-shaped fasteners;   providing a tether adapted to engage the tensioning supports, the tether having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   providing a handle adapted to be coupled to the proximal end portion of the tether for placing the tether in tension, so that an injured muscle group of a user is rehabilitated as the tether is placed in tension.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein providing a plurality of ring-shaped fasteners comprises providing at least one ring-shaped fastener including an O-ring clip. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein providing at least one ring-shaped fastener including an O-ring clip comprises providing a screw-threaded latch. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein providing at least one ring-shaped fastener including an O-ring clip comprises providing a slidable latch. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein providing a tether comprises providing a tether having a distal end portion adapted to be coupled to a weight. 
     
     
         31 . The method  claim 26 , further comprising providing a container adapted to contain at least one of the plurality of ring-shaped fasteners, the plurality of pulleys, the tether and the handle. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein providing a tether comprises providing an inelastic tether. 
     
     
         33 . An in-field kit for self-directed therapeutic pulley-based muscle rehabilitation methods, comprising:
 a bracket adapted to be mounted on a door;   a pulley adapted to be coupled to said bracket;   a tether adapted to engage said pulley, said tether having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; and   a handle adapted to be coupled to the proximal end portion of said tether for placing said tether in tension, so that an injured muscle group of a user is rehabilitated as said tether is placed in tension.   
     
     
         34 . The in-field kit of  claim 33 , wherein the distal end portion of said tether is adapted to be coupled to a weight. 
     
     
         35 . The in-field kit of  claim 33 , further comprising a container adapted to contain at least one of said plurality of ring-shaped fasteners, said plurality of pulleys, said tether and said handle. 
     
     
         36 . The in-field kit of  claim 33 , wherein said tether is an inelastic tether.