# US 12,109,451 B2 · Low friction rehabilitation board with an integral band retaining feature and methods of rehabilitation

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- Number: US 12,109,451 B2
- Document ID: US12109451B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/527,354
- Filed: 2023-12-03
- Published: 2024-03-21
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-09-02
- Assignees: P.T. Rom and Associates LLC
- Applicants: P.T. ROM and Associates LLC
- Inventors: Randall F. Chapman; Daniel L. Rosman; Frank M. Chapman; Matthew Lippmann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109451B2

## CPC

- A63B 21/0407: {Anchored at two end points, e.g. installed within an apparatus}
- A63B 21/4037: {Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises (mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00)}
- A63B 1/00: Horizontal bars
- A63B 21/0414: {with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations}
- A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user}
- A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands}
- A63B 21/0555: {Details of the rope or band, e.g. shape or colour coding}
- A63B 21/0557: {Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps}
- A63B 21/0618: {moving in a horizontal plane without substantial friction, i.e. using inertial forces}
- A63B 21/16: Supports for anchoring force-resisters
- A63B 21/4011: {to the lower limbs (means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057)}
- A63B 21/4013: {to the ankle}
- A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms}
- A63B 21/4034: {for operation by feet}
- A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand}
- A63B 21/4045: {Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide (weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201)}
- A63B 23/03508: {For a single arm or leg, (A63B21/0726 takes precedence)}
- A63B 23/0355: {A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs}
- A63B 23/0405: {involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously (A63B23/0476 takes precedence)}
- A63B 23/0482: {primarily by articulating the hip joints (A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence)}
- A63B 23/0494: {primarily by articulating the knee joints (A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence)}
- A63B 21/0004: {Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise (bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20)}
- A63B 21/4015: {to the foot}
- A63B 21/4021: {to the wrist}
- A63B 21/4043: {Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance (A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence)}
- A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane}
- A63B 23/1245: {Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint (A63B23/129 takes precedence)}
- A63B 23/1281: {primarily by articulating the elbow joint}
- A63B 71/023: {Supports, e.g. poles}
- A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user}
- A63B 2022/0094: {for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices}
- A63B 2023/006: {for stretching exercises}
- A63B 2023/0411: {Squatting exercises}
- A63B 2071/027: {using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform}
- A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music}
- A63B 2071/0633: {without electronic means}
- A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia}
- A63B 2208/0238: with stretched legs, like on a bed
- A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials
- A63B 2209/08: magnetic
- A63B 2209/10: with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
- A63B 2210/00: Space saving
- A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
- A63B 2220/20: Distances or displacements
- A63B 2220/51: Force
- A63B 2225/055: used for fixing
- A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

A low friction rehabilitation board having an integral band retaining feature is described. The rehabilitation board may have a coefficient of static friction of no more than about 0.5 and in some embodiments no more than about 0.06. The rehabilitation board has a plurality of band retaining feature configured along one or both ends and may be an integral band retaining features being formed in the board. Additionally, the rehabilitation may include one or more band retaining features on one or both sides of the board. The unique configuration of the band retaining features enables rehabilitation method heretofore not possible with a single board. Resistance bands may be retained in the band retaining features and coupled to a users limb, such as a foot or ankle, to resist motion, such as sliding or extending the foot along the low friction surface of the rehabilitation board.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A portable rehabilitation board system comprising:
an interface material;
a rehabilitation board comprising:
a width from a first side to a second side;
a thickness;
a top working surface of the rehabilitation board having a static coefficient of friction with the interface material of no more than about 0.25 according to ASTM 1894;
wherein the static coefficient of friction is effectively low to enable a user's limb to slide easily across the working surface;
a band plug retainer in the rehabilitation board and comprising a tapered aperture through the thickness of the rehabilitation board from a larger bottom surface opening, on the bottom surface of the rehabilitation board, to a smaller working surface opening, on the working surface of the rehabilitation board,
a resistance band assembly comprising:
an elastomeric resistance band having a length from a fixed end to an extended end;
a tapered band-plug having an enlarged plug dimension at a plug-end that tapers to a smaller dimension at a band-end of the tapered band-plug;
wherein the fixed end of the resistance band is coupled to the tapered band-plug; and
wherein the tapered band-plug is retained in the tapered aperture of the band plug retainer with the band end proximal the working surface and the resistance band extending from the tapered plug toward the working surface of the rehabilitation board.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the portable rehabilitation board is a composite rehabilitation board comprising
a slide portion that comprises said a top working surface of the rehabilitation board; and
a base portion that is attached to the slide portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 2, wherein the base portion comprises a non-slip material on a base of said base portion to prevent the rehabilitation board from sliding during use and wherein the non-slip material has a static coefficient of friction against itself of 0.75 or more.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 2, wherein the base portion comprises an interior with hollow areas to reduce weight.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 4, wherein the base portion comprises ribs extending within the interior to increase stiffness of the base portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 5, wherein the slide portion comprises an interior with hollow areas to reduce weight.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 6, wherein the slide portion comprises ribs extending within the interior to increase stiffness of the slide portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 2, wherein the slide portion comprises an interior with hollow areas to reduce weight.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 8, wherein the slide portion comprises ribs extending within the interior to increase stiffness of the slide portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the interface material is a sock.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the interface material is a fabric.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the interface material is a polymeric pad.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the tapered aperture of the band plug retainer is conical in shape.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein the tapered aperture of the band plug retainer has a plurality of planar surfaces.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, comprising at least two resistance band assemblies configured on opposing sides of the rehabilitation board.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 1, wherein a slot extends in from the first end of the rehabilitation board to the band plug retainer.

### Claim 17

A portable rehabilitation board system comprising:
an interface material;
a composite rehabilitation board comprising:
a width from a first side to a second side;
a thickness;
a slide portion comprising a top working surface of the rehabilitation board having a static coefficient of friction with the interface material of no more than about 0.25 according to ASTM 1894;
wherein the static coefficient of friction is effectively low to enable a user's limb to slide easily across the working surface;
a base portion attached to the slide portion;
an integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends outward from the rehabilitation board;
a resistance band assembly comprising:
an elastomeric resistance band having a length from a fixed end to an extended end;
wherein the fixed end of the resistance band is coupled to the integral band retaining feature; and
wherein the extended end is configured to be coupled with a limb of a person.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 17, further comprising a second-end integral band retaining feature comprising a nodule that extends in said length direction from the second end of the rehabilitation board.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 18, further comprising a resistance band that is coupled to the nodule of the first integral band retainer feature, wherein the resistance band is looped around the nodule to retain the resistance band to the nodule.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The portable rehabilitation board system of claim 17, wherein the rehabilitation board has a length from a first end to a second end, and comprising a plurality of integral band retaining features including a first integral band retaining feature extending from said first end of the rehabilitation board and a second integral band retaining feature extending from said second end of the rehabilitation board
wherein a slot extends in from the first end of the rehabilitation board to the band plug retainer; and
wherein the first-end integral band retaining feature is a dual retainer feature that enables two modes attachment of a resistance band, whereby the resistance band can be coupled around the nodule or the tapered plug of a resistance band can be inserted and coupled to the band plug retainer.