Mechanical Foam Roller

Abstract

The present invention consists of low to high density cylinder shaped polyethylene mechanical foam roller. This unique foam roller can be used for novel stretching, exercise and self myofascial release therapies/exercise programs. This mechanical foam roller is novel specifically because of the pairing of a single steel tube within a pair of bearings that are secured to the opposing ends of the foam-core opening. This invention improves upon the standard foam roller by allowing a user to engage the foam rollers handles in order to enhance their self-myofacial release experience related to the X,Y and handle specific Z-rotational-axis. All standard foam rollers are currently limited in scope because they lack the handles the Mechanical Foam Roller offers; it offers foam rolling while lying, sitting and self-myofascial release in the standing position. The core of the mechanical foam roller contains bearings that allow the user to utilize the handles for control and 360 degrees of directional control of the foam roller in the X & Y plane of direction. The directional forces of the mechanical foam roller relates novel ways of exercise, self-myofascial release, and stretching therapies. Currently there are no foam rollers with this type of mechanism. Users can feel that they have more control of their foam roller as they move it across affected body surfaces. Users can also ask significant others or friends to assist them in foam rolling and/or self-myofascial release.

1 . The mechanical foam roller is a device that works as a partner-assisted myofascial and/or self-myofascial release tool and stretching tool; the device is operated by either lying on the ground, maintaining a seated position and/or standing position; the high density polyethylene foam roper hollowed-out core allows insertion of a mechanical core comprised of a pair of bearings, a pvc pipe and a steel tube that allow the mechanical foam rollers cylinder shape to perform work in a multi-angled circular rotation in the forward, sideways and reverse direction; the mechanical foam roller works for entire musculoskeletal system including the neck, back, spine, buttocks, hips, legs, feet, and limbs, chest, shoulders of the axial and appendicular muscloskeletal framework; the technique for myofascial release includes lying, seated and standing positions on ail solid structured X and Y planes; the unit is stabilized by supporting metal washers, collars and vinyl tubing. 
     
     
         2 . The mechanical foam roper contains a hollowed out core according to  claim 1  allows mechanical components to be inserted for functional use. 
     
     
         3 . According to  claim 2  of the mechanical foam roller components inserted reside in a 0.75 inch×12-18 inch long hollow lumen core. 
     
     
         4 . According to  claim 3  a 10-16″ long, ¾″ ID PVC-pipe is inserted in the center of the 0.75 inch ID polyethylene hollow lumen core. 
     
     
         5 . The Mechanical Foam Roller according to  claim 4 , contains a 24-28″ long and 0.625″ OD steel tube that fits into the center of the PVC-pipe, situated within the hollow lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanical foam roper as it relates to  claim 5  has two ball bearing components, 0.75″ ID, situated at the opening of the hollow foam core allowing the steel tube to rest within both bail bearings while also resting against the two ends of the pvc-pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The mechanical foam roller as it relates to  claim 6  is entirely secured with a pair steel ¾ ID steel washer pieces that rest on the outside of the polyethylene foam securing both the tube and ball bearings. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanical foam roller as it relates to  claim 7  is finally secured with a metal collar with a ID and progressively advancing screw that tightens and secures the metal collar to the steel tube. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanical foam roller as it relates to  claim 8  contains two vinyl sleeves that offer more support to the metal collars. 
     
     
         10 . The mechanical foam roller as it relates to  claim 9  ultimately contains a vinyl-rubber hybrid hand grip offers comfort and extra grip support.