The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 24, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 28, 2000
Naoto Shiba, Fukuoka, JP;
Takashi Maeda, Fukuoka, JP;
Yoshihiko Tagawa, Fukuoka, JP;
Toshiyasu Yamamoto, Toyama, JP;
Kurume University, Fukuoka, JP;
Abstract
An improved muscle strengthening apparatus is disclosed which causes “eccentric contraction” of an antagonist muscle of a limb through electrical stimulation so as to apply so-called “closed-kinetic-chain exercises” for the muscles involved to thereby increase the strength thereof. Flexing or extending motion of a knee joint is sensed by a sensor to indicate contraction of the agonist muscle. Upon contraction of the agonist muscle, electrodes placed over the antagonist muscle are energized to cause the eccentric contraction thereof. The invention provides a portable home gymnasium in that it is relatively small, light-weight, cost effective and easy to transport and also relatively simple in construction.