Methods for Adjusting Stiffness and Flexibility in Devices, Apparatus and Equipment

Abstract

A resilient rod that provides adjustable directional resistance is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod and a position of an applied force with respect to a fulcrum point. In another aspect of the invention, at least one spine may be attached to the beam to increase a diameter of the beam along one axis. A resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod, a position of an applied force and an orientation of the at least one spine with regard to the direction of the applied force. In other aspects of the invention, the resilient rods may be incorporated into various equipment that provide for adjustable resistance levels. In still other aspects of the invention, the resilient rod may be incorporated into medical devices that provide adjustable support for injured limbs or joints.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resistance rod for producing a variable resistance orientable in a direction in any x, y, z plane or combination of planes in 360 degrees of rotation or bending movement, said resistance rod including a plurality of zones of graduated indicia, each zone being a known distance from at least one fulcrum point, said graduated indicia indicating a resistance to an applied force at said known distance 
     
     
         2 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein the resistance rod may be one selected from a group consisting of: solid, semi-solid or hollow rods 
     
     
         3 . The resistance rod accordingly to  claim 1 , wherein said resistance rod is anchored, fixed or held at at least at one point by one of: an anchoring mechanism, a friction fit, a strap, and a handle. 
     
     
         4 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spine extending substantially a length of said rod. 
     
     
         5 . The resistance rod according to  claim 2 , wherein said rod has different wall thicknesses to provide a wide range of flexural resistances proportionate to the tensile strength of the beam material. 
     
     
         6 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein a material of said rod may be enhanced by adding additives selected from a group consisting of: fiberglass, metal, polymeric fibers, graphite fibers, carbon fibers, boron fibers, Nano-composite additives and carbon nano tubes. 
     
     
         7 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein said rod is manufactured based on a method selected from a group consisting of: rapid prototyping, stereolithography, fused deposition molding, injection molding, casting, extrusion and/or pultrusion. 
     
     
         8 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein said variable-resistance is achieved by one of: shortening and lengthening an arc length from said at least one fulcrum point. 
     
     
         9 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein said variable resistance is achieved by anchoring or holding the rod at different distances. 
     
     
         10 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein increasing or decreasing resistance is achieved by anchoring or holding the beam at at least one or more points. 
     
     
         11 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein said variable resistance is achieved through at least one of: a wall thickness, a length, a material of solid, semi-solid, or hollow rod, an attachment point and an arc length during bending. 
     
     
         12 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein said zones of said graduated indica are indicated by at least one of: graphics, colors and tactile physical ridges. 
     
     
         13 . The resistance rod according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross sectional geometry of said resistance rod is selected from one of: circular, rectangular, elliptical and elongated. 
     
     
         14 . The resistance rod according to  claim 13 , wherein said variable resistance is dependent upon an orientation of said resistance beam with respect to the rod's geometry and rotation. 
     
     
         15 . The resistance rod according to  claim 14 , wherein said variable resistance is maximum when said orientation of said resistance rod is parallel to a longest length of said selected cross sectional geometry to said direction of flex. 
     
     
         16 . The resistance rod according to  claim 14 , wherein said variable resistance is minimum when said orientation of said resistance rod is perpendicular to a longest length of said selected cross section geometry to said direction of flex. 
     
     
         17 . A resistance rod comprising:
 a center portion, having a substantially circular cross-section; and   at least one spine portion, extending substantially a length of said center portion, said center portion and said at least spine portion creating an elongated cross-sectional profile.   
     
     
         18 . The resistance rod according to  claim 17 , wherein each of said center portion and said at least one spine is selected from the group consisting of: solid, semi-solid and hollow. 
     
     
         19 . The resistance rod according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a plurality of graduated indicia, each being a known distance from at least one fulcrum point, said graduated indicia indicating a resistance to an applied force at said known distance.   
     
     
         20 . The resistance rod according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein said graduated indicia being indicated by at least one of: graphics, color and tactile physical ridges.   
     
     
         21 . The resistance rod according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one spline portion is one of: internal and external to said center portion. 
     
     
         22 . The resistance rod according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one spline is one of:
 internal and external to said rod.   
     
     
         23 . An equipment comprising:
 a hollow shaft,   a rod inserted within said hollow shaft, said rod being positionable within said hollow shaft to alter a flex of said hollow shaft, wherein said variable resistance rod alters said flex of said hollow shaft, by altering a position of said rod within said shaft.   
     
     
         24 . The equipment of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a flexible material in communication with said rod at a first end of said rod; and   means for positioning said rod within said hollow shaft wherein said position of said rod is incrementally lowered within the hollow shaft by compressing the flexible material.   
     
     
         25 . The equipment of  claim 23 , wherein said rod comprises:
 a center portion, having a substantially circular cross-section.   
     
     
         26 . The equipment of  claim 25 , wherein said rod further comprises:
 at least one spine portion, and extending substantially a length of said center portion, said center portion and said at least spine portion creating an elongated cross-sectional profile.   
     
     
         27 . The equipment of  claim 25 , wherein center portion is selected from the group consisting of: solid, semi-solid and hollow. 
     
     
         28 . The equipment of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one spine portion is selected from the group consisting of: solid, semi-solid and hollow. 
     
     
         29 . The equipment of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one spline is external to the center portion. 
     
     
         30 . The equipment of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one spline is internal to the center portion. 
     
     
         31 . The equipment of  claim 23 , wherein said rod is raised within said hollow shaft by uncompressing said flexible material.