Myofascial stretching apparatus and method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for increasing a person's thoracic and pelvic flexibility including the muscles, ligaments and related connective tissues of the spine, ribs and sternal region, and the sacro-illiac joints of the pelvis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Stretching and/or elongating myofascia, i.e., the muscles and connective tissues, is believed to have a number of benefits. Besides improved flexibility, such stretching is believed to reduce the risk of muscle and spinal injury, for example strains, sprains and herniations, improve the removal of metabolic waste from the muscles and to improve the articulation of the relevant joints.

[0003] Numerous attempts have been made to achieve the benefits of stretching and/or elongating muscles. These include the methods and/or apparatus reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,603; 4,785,800; 4,345,757; 4,207,878; 3,750,654; 3,705,579; 1,608,598; French Patent No. 1,127,127 and PCT application WO89/03667. Typically, these prior art devices and are not adjustable.

[0004] In an alternative approach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,1070,778 to Jamis reports an adjustable massage instrument in which the spacing between the peaks of the massage instrument can be increased or decreased. This device is used by rolling the body over it, although this patent reports that the rounded end elements may be placed on the floor to massage specific muscles, stress points and the feet.

[0005] Yet another alternative is described in Dutch Patent No. 7504998 where it is reported that the massage roller of the invention of that patent can be made in various sizes and shapes to suit different users. However, again, this device is used by rolling it along the part of the body to be massaged.

[0006] Despite the fact that these prior art devices and their reporting patents recommend that they be implemented by rolling the body over a massage instrument, doing so can be painful and potentially injurious to the person using such treatments. In addition, the above referenced patents restrict themselves to the stretching of the muscles, only. Thus, there is a need for a more effective means of stretching the thoracic and pelvic regions (including the sacrum and sacro-illiac joints) and the associated myofascia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention, in various embodiments, provides a torso and pelvic stretching apparatus comprised of a pair or several pairs of cylindrical and/or beveled stretching devices of the same or slightly different diameters and widths, which in some cases may be called fulcrums, and which are adjustable along a bolt with a retaining device. In most embodiments, the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus is not used by rolling a person's body or back over the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus. Rather, the apparatus is used by allowing the person's weight to rest on the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus at a fixed position for a period of time, lifting off the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus, moving the apparatus to another fixed position, and then resting the person's weight on the apparatus for a period of time on a new location of the body. The fulcrums of the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus are adjustable with respect to the bolt so that the distance between a first peak on the left fulcrum and a second peak on the right fulcrum can varied to accommodate both the width of an person's torso and pelvis and the various myofascial structures of the person being addressed.

[0008] The torso and pelvic stretching apparatus may be comprised of a left fulcrum and a right fulcrum of varying dimensions. Each of the left and right fulcrums may be comprised of a rounded portion and a smaller diameter cylindrical or conical portion. The retaining device may be comprised of a left spacer tube, a left elastic sleeve, a central tube, a right elastic sleeve, a right spacer tube, and left and right end pieces. The left end piece may be fixed to the bolt and the right end piece may be capable of being attached or detached from the bolt. In one embodiment, the left and right elastic sleeves may be made of rubber and may be used to hold the left- and right-fulcrums in place along the bolt. The bolt may have a threaded circular end and one end piece may be attached and detached to and from the bolt by screwing or unscrewing the end piece onto the threaded circular end of the bolt.

[0009] The left spacer tube, the central tube, and the right spacer tube, may each have an inner diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the bolt so that the bolt can be inserted through the left spacer tube, the central tube and the right spacer tube. The left and right elastic sleeves each may have an “at rest” or non-compressed opening having an inner diameter which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the bolt.

[0010] The present invention, in one embodiment, includes a method comprising the steps of placing a torso and pelvic stretching apparatus on a flat surface; placing an individual's back against the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus so that a portion of the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus contacts a first area on the back of the individual; resting on that first area for a period of time to allow the fascia to lengthen; lifting up the individual's back so that torso and pelvic stretching apparatus no longer contacts the individual's back; moving the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus with respect to the individual's back; and placing the individual's back against the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus so that a portion of the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus contacts a second area on the back of the individual. The first area and the second area differ. The steps concerning placing an individual's back on the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus, resting on that area for a period of time, lifting off of the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus and moving the torso and pelvic stretching apparatus with respect to the individual's back, can be repeated for a plurality of areas of an individual's back and pelvis. The torso and pelvic stretching apparatus may be adjusted by changing the spacing of the fulcrums with respect to the bolt to accommodate the various widths of the vertebrae, other bony structures or other related soft tissues.

[0011] The present invention increases flexibility and range of motion of the joint spaces and articulations of the vertebrae, the ribs, and the pelvis, as well as the intra-costal spaces of both the anterior and posterior regions of the rib cage and the costal cartilage. The posterior spinal processes of the person can be placed between left and right fulcrums. By resting on the apparatus in this manner, the left and right fulcrums focus the forces upon the soft tissues between the boney structures causing the myofascial structures of that and related areas to lengthen.

[0012] The present invention in its various embodiments provides a progressive training apparatus that can be modified to accommodate various spinal conditions and configurations, e.g., scoliosis, an individual's degree of flexibility. In one embodiment, a pair or pairs of left and right fulcrums are provided in increasing diameters. The diameters can be mixed and combined when needed to achieve the desired results. A progressive course of training may be comprised of sequentially moving the apparatus along the individual's spine from caudal to cranial, and increasing the diameter of the left and right fulcrums over time as the body adapts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a front view of an apparatus comprising left and right fulcrums, with the left and right fulcrums placed in a first configuration;

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a right end piece separated from the rest of the apparatus;

[0015]FIG. 3 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a right spacer tube and the right end piece separated from the rest of the apparatus;

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken apart;.

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the left and right fulcrums placed in a second configuration;

[0018]FIG. 6 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the left and right fulcrums placed in a third configuration;

[0019]FIG. 7 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the left and right fulcrums placed in a fourth configuration;

[0020]FIG. 8A shows a right side view of a left end piece that is part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 8B shows a left side view of the left end piece;

[0022]FIG. 9A shows a right side view of a right end piece which is part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 9B shows a left side view of the right end piece;

[0024]FIG. 10 shows left side view of a left fulcrum shown in FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 11 shows a right side view of the left fulcrum shown in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 12A shows a side view of a left spacer tube that is part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 12B shows a side view of a left elastic sleeve that is part of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

[0028]FIG. 12C shows a right side view of a central tube that is part of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a front view of an apparatus <b>10</b> in which the apparatus <b>10</b> is assembled in a first configuration. The apparatus <b>10</b> is comprised of a left end piece <b>12</b> and a right end piece <b>32</b>, a left spacer tube <b>16</b> and a right spacer tube <b>36</b>, a left fulcrum <b>20</b> and a right fulcrum <b>40</b>, and a central tube <b>26</b>. The left and right end pieces <b>12</b> and <b>32</b> are rounded but could be replaced by differently shaped pieces, for example, square blocks.

[0030]FIGS. 2 and 3 show front views of the apparatus <b>10</b> partially disassembled. These figures will be described following the detailed description of FIG. 12C.

[0031]FIG. 4 shows a front view of the apparatus <b>10</b> taken apart. The apparatus <b>10</b> is also comprised of a central bolt <b>25</b>, a left end piece <b>12</b>, a left o-ring <b>14</b>, a left spacer tube, <b>16</b>, a left elastic sleeve <b>17</b>, a left fulcrum <b>20</b>, a central tube, a right elastic sleeve <b>37</b>, a right fulcrum <b>40</b>, a right spacer tube <b>36</b>, a right o-ring <b>34</b>, a right end piece <b>32</b>, and a hex nut <b>33</b>. The left and right spacer tubes <b>16</b> and <b>36</b>, the left and right elastic sleeves <b>17</b> and <b>37</b>, the central tube <b>26</b>, and the left and right end pieces <b>12</b> and <b>32</b> together can be thought of as making up a retaining device.

[0032] The central bolt <b>25</b> has two ends, <b>25</b><i>a </i>and <b>25</b><i>b</i>, shown in FIG. 4. One end <b>25</b><i>b </i>may be threaded to be screwed into a hex nut <b>33</b>.

[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 4, the left end assembly <b>12</b> is comprised of round end piece <b>19</b>, and a resilient rim <b>14</b>. The resilient rim <b>14</b> may be made of rubber or a suitable material to prevent scratching a hard floor. The left end piece <b>19</b> has a right shoulder <b>19</b><i>a </i>and a left shoulder <b>19</b><i>b</i>, shown in FIG. 4. The left end piece <b>19</b> has a small circular opening <b>50</b> on its right side, the location of which is shown in FIG. 8A and a larger opening <b>15</b> shown on its left side shown in FIG. 8B. Opening <b>15</b> may be sized and shaped to accommodate the left end of the central bolt <b>25</b> so that it remains fixed in relationship to the end piece <b>19</b> when rotated.

[0034] The left end piece <b>19</b> of the apparatus <b>10</b> is, in one embodiment, fixed to the central bolt <b>25</b> at the end <b>25</b><i>b</i>. The left end <b>25</b><i>b </i>or head of bolt <b>25</b> may be inserted into the opening <b>15</b> in FIG. 8B and may be secured using an adhesive to the left end piece so that the central bolt <b>25</b> cannot rotate with respect to the left end piece <b>19</b>. In one embodiment, the head <b>25</b><i>b </i>of the central bolt <b>25</b> shown in FIG. 4, cannot be removed or rotated with respect to the left end assembly <b>12</b>, but rather is permanently fixed to the left end piece <b>19</b>.

[0035]FIG. 9A shows a left side view of the right end assembly <b>32</b>. FIG. 9B shows a right side view of the right end assembly <b>32</b>. The right end assembly <b>32</b> includes a round end piece <b>39</b> and a resilient rim <b>34</b>. The right end piece <b>39</b> also includes a hole <b>80</b> on the left side of the right end piece <b>39</b> as shown in FIG. 9A. The right end piece <b>39</b> also includes a hole <b>35</b> on the right side of the right end piece <b>39</b> as shown in FIG. 9B. The right end assembly <b>32</b> includes a hex nut <b>33</b> that is fixed, such as by adhesive <b>31</b>, to the round end piece <b>39</b> of the right end assembly <b>32</b>.

[0036]FIGS. 10 and 11 show left and right side views, respectively, of the left fulcrum <b>20</b>. The left fulcrum <b>20</b> has a cylindrical opening <b>21</b> that runs through its entire length, a surface <b>20</b><i>a</i>, a cylindrical and/or conical portion <b>22</b>, and a peak <b>24</b> as shown in FIG. 10. The left fulcrum <b>20</b> also includes a surface <b>20</b><i>b </i>shown in FIG. 11. The right fulcrum <b>40</b> is identical to the left fulcrum <b>20</b>.

[0037]FIG. 12A shows a side view of a spacer tube <b>16</b>. The left and right spacer tubes <b>16</b> and <b>36</b> are identical. The left spacer tube <b>16</b> includes a surface at end <b>16</b><i>a</i>. The left side view of the left spacer tube <b>16</b> would be identical to FIG. 12A, with the exception that the surface at end <b>16</b><i>a </i>would be replaced by the surface at end <b>16</b><i>b </i>identified in FIG. 4. The left spacer tube <b>16</b> may be identical to the right spacer tube <b>36</b>. The left spacer tubes <b>16</b> and <b>36</b> have an inner diameter of D<b>6</b>, which may be ½ of an inch and an outer diameter D<b>3</b> which may be ⅝ of an inch. s

[0038]FIG. 12B shows a right side view of a left elastic sleeve <b>17</b>. The left elastic tube <b>17</b> includes a surface at end <b>17</b><i>a</i>. The left side view of the left elastic sleeve <b>17</b> would be identical to FIG. 12B, with the exception that the surface at end <b>17</b><i>a </i>would be replaced by the surface at end <b>17</b><i>b </i>identified in FIG. 4. The left elastic sleeve <b>17</b> may be identical to the right elastic sleeve <b>37</b>. The left elastic sleeve may have an inner diameter of D<b>7</b> and an outer diameter of D<b>4</b> which may be equal to the inner diameter and outer diameter D<b>6</b> and D<b>3</b>, respectively, of left spacer tube <b>16</b>.

[0039]FIG. 12C shows a right side view of a central tube <b>26</b>. The central tube <b>26</b> includes a surface at end <b>26</b><i>a</i>. The left side view of the central tube <b>26</b> would be identical to FIG. 12C, with the exception that the surface at end <b>26</b><i>a </i>would be replaced by the surface at end <b>26</b><i>b </i>identified in FIG. 4. The central tube <b>26</b> may have an inner diameter D<b>8</b> and an outer diameter D<b>5</b> which may be equal to the inner diameter and the outer diameter D<b>6</b> and D<b>3</b>, respectively, of left spacer tube <b>16</b>. The wall thickness of the left and right spacer tubes <b>16</b> and <b>36</b> are identical to the wall thickness of the central tube, which is nearly identical to the wall thickness of the elastic sleeves <b>17</b> and <b>37</b>.

[0040]FIG. 1 shows a first assembled configuration of the apparatus <b>10</b>. The apparatus <b>10</b> can be changed to a different configuration by first unscrewing the right end assembly <b>32</b> from the right end <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the bolt <b>25</b>, as shown by FIG. 2. When the right end assembly <b>32</b> has been loosened from the threaded end <b>25</b><i>a</i>, the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> will be able to slide horizontally to either the left or the right. More specifically, the left fulcrum <b>20</b> will be able to slide to the left over the left spacer tube <b>16</b> until the left fulcrum <b>20</b> comes in contact with the left end piece <b>12</b> as shown in FIG. 6. The right fulcrum <b>40</b> will be able to slide to the right over the right spacer tube <b>36</b> until the right fulcrum <b>40</b> comes in contact with the right end piece <b>32</b> or until the right fulcrum <b>40</b> has been removed from the bolt <b>25</b> as shown in FIG. 4. The left fulcrum <b>20</b> also can slide to the right until the left fulcrum <b>20</b> comes in contact with the right fulcrum <b>40</b> as shown in FIG. 7, or until the left fulcrum <b>20</b> has been removed from the bolt <b>25</b> as shown in FIG. 4 [assuming right fulcrum <b>40</b> has already been removed off of the bolt <b>25</b>]. The right fulcrum <b>40</b> can slide to the left, until the right fulcrum <b>40</b> contacts the left fulcrum <b>20</b>, as in FIG. 7. The configuration of FIG. 6 could also be modified to slide the right fulcrum <b>40</b> to the right until the right fulcrum <b>40</b> is contacting the left fulcrum <b>20</b>.

[0041]FIGS. 1, 5, <b>6</b>, and <b>7</b> show four possible example configurations in which the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> may be placed to comprise an assembled apparatus <b>10</b>. There are a plurality of further configurations which may be obtained simply by sliding the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> horizontally along the bolt <b>25</b> and/or by flipping, or rotating by 180 degrees the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. In FIG. 1 the peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> of the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> respectively, face each other, while in FIG. 5, the peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> face away from each other.

[0042] The fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> each have a cylindrical hole, like hole <b>21</b>, of fulcrum <b>20</b>, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left and right spacer tubes <b>16</b> and <b>36</b>, central tube <b>26</b>, and the left and right elastic sleeves <b>17</b> and <b>37</b> so that they may easily slide over the length of the apparatus. Each fulcrum may also have a total length of three and seven-eighths (3 and ⅞) inches, and may have a peak <b>24</b> or <b>44</b> having a width of ⅞ of an inch. The diameters of the rounded portions <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> may each be three inches, which may be slightly less than the diameter of the left and right end pieces <b>12</b> and <b>32</b>. The cylindrical hole <b>21</b> has a large enough diameter so that the fulcrum <b>20</b> can slide over the left spacer tube <b>16</b> [whose location is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6], the left elastic sleeve <b>17</b> [whose location is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6], the central tube <b>26</b>, the right elastic sleeve <b>37</b> [whose location is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6], the right spacer tube <b>36</b> [whose location is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6], and generally over the bolt <b>25</b>.

[0043] The outer diameter of the left spacer tube <b>16</b>, D<b>3</b>, shown in FIG. 12A, the outer diameter D<b>4</b> of the left elastic sleeve <b>17</b> shown in FIG. 12B, and the outer diameter D<b>5</b> of the central tube <b>26</b>, shown in FIG. 12C, can be the same [at least when elastic sleeve <b>17</b> is at rest, i.e., not compressed] and should be slightly less than the diameter of the cylindrical hole <b>21</b>, so that the left spacer tube <b>16</b>, the left elastic sleeve <b>17</b>, and the central tube <b>26</b> [as well as the right elastic sleeve <b>37</b> and the right spacer tube <b>36</b>] can pass through cylindrical hole <b>21</b>. The inner diameters D<b>6</b>, D<b>7</b>, and D<b>8</b> of the left spacer tube <b>16</b>, shown in FIG. 12A; the left elastic sleeve <b>17</b>, shown in FIG. 12B; and the central tube <b>26</b>, shown in FIG. 12C; respectively, should be the same and should be slightly greater than the outer diameter of the bolt <b>25</b>, so that the bolt <b>25</b> can pass through openings <b>16</b><i>c</i>, <b>17</b><i>c</i>, and <b>26</b><i>c </i>and similar openings in the right elastic sleeve <b>37</b>, and the right spacer tube <b>36</b>.

[0044] When the right end piece <b>32</b> is tightened on bolt <b>25</b>, for example as in FIGS. 1, 5, <b>6</b>, and <b>7</b>, the left side of the right end assembly <b>32</b> presses against the right spacer tube <b>36</b>, which in turn presses against the elastic sleeve <b>37</b> as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The elastic sleeve <b>37</b> also presses against the central tube <b>26</b> which presses against the left elastic sleeve <b>17</b> which presses against the left spacer tube <b>16</b> which presses against the right side of the left end piece <b>12</b>. In this manner, the elastic sleeves <b>17</b> and <b>37</b> are compressed or squeezed horizontally, causing the outer diameter D<b>4</b> of the elastic sleeves <b>17</b> and <b>37</b> to enlarge. The elastic sleeve <b>17</b> expands into the opening <b>21</b> of fulcrum <b>20</b>. The elastic sleeve <b>37</b> similarly expands in a similar opening of fulcrum <b>40</b>. This expansion makes it difficult, if not impossible, to slide the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> to the left or right. Thus, the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> remain fixed so they cannot slide when the right end piece <b>32</b> has been tightened. It is important that, whatever the configuration, the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> are placed so that some portion of the elastic sleeves <b>17</b> and <b>37</b> remain in the cylindrical opening of the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b>, respectively, such as cylindrical opening <b>21</b> of the left fulcrum <b>20</b>. For example in FIG. 7, a portion <b>17</b><i>a </i>of the elastic sleeve <b>17</b> is shown outside of the cylindrical opening <b>21</b> of left fulcrum <b>20</b> and a portion <b>17</b><i>b </i>is shown inside the circular opening <b>21</b> of the left fulcrum <b>20</b>. Similarly a portion <b>37</b><i>a </i>of the elastic sleeve <b>37</b> is shown outside of the cylindrical opening <b>31</b> of right fulcrum <b>20</b> and a portion <b>37</b><i>b </i>is shown inside the cylindrical opening <b>31</b> of right fulcrum <b>20</b>. When the right end piece <b>32</b> is tightened the portions <b>17</b><i>b </i>and <b>37</b><i>b </i>hold the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> fixed in place.

[0045]FIG. 4 shows a front view of the apparatus <b>10</b> in a disassembled state. The left end piece <b>12</b> is shown fixed to the bolt <b>25</b> at the head. The left spacer tube may be placed over the bolt <b>25</b> at end <b>25</b><i>a</i>. The left elastic sleeve <b>17</b> may be placed over the bolt <b>25</b>. The fulcrum <b>20</b> may be placed over the bolt <b>25</b>. The central tube <b>26</b> may be placed over the bolt <b>25</b>. The right elastic sleeve <b>37</b>, the right fulcrum <b>40</b> and the right spacer tube <b>36</b> are similar to their left counterparts and may be placed over the bolt <b>25</b> in a similar manner. The right end piece <b>32</b> has an internally threaded opening <b>33</b>, shown in FIG. 9B, which can be screwed onto the threaded right end of the bolt <b>25</b>.

[0046] In operation, in accordance with a method for using the apparatus <b>10</b>, an individual would fix the fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b> in a configuration appropriate to dimensions of the area of the individual's body being addressed, for example, in a configuration such as in FIGS. 1, 5, <b>6</b>, or <b>7</b>, or some other configuration. The individual would then place the apparatus <b>10</b> on a flat surface such as a floor. The individual would lie down on the apparatus <b>10</b> so that the person's back would come into contact with peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> of fulcrums <b>20</b> and <b>40</b>, respectively. Peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> would be placed so that they press between two vertebrae of a person's spine through the clothing and skin. In one embodiment of the present invention, the peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> are first placed so that they are in the lumbar or lower back region between the first two vertebrae. The individual would rest on peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> and on the apparatus <b>10</b> until the myofascial structures within the area of contact with peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> lengthen. The individual may wait until the area of his or her back being stretched is lengthened. Then the individual lifts that portion of his or her body up so that his or her back is no longer contacting the apparatus <b>10</b>. The apparatus <b>10</b> is then moved up approximately one to two vertebrae and the person's body weight is again lowered onto the apparatus <b>10</b>, so that peaks <b>24</b> and <b>44</b> are again contacting the back. The second area is then slowly stretched. In one embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention this process is continued for different areas of the spine, for the entire spine, up to the base of the skull.

[0047] The apparatus <b>10</b> and method in accordance with the present invention improves the flexibility of the tissues as well as improves the general health and well being of the tissues by improving circulation in the affected tissues. While the training apparatus <b>10</b> and method of the present invention has its greatest effect on the area against which it is placed, such as the posterior surface of the body; it is designed to also affect the anterior portions of the rib cage including the sternal regions. This anterior stretch can be increased by raising the individual's arms over his or her head while lying on the training apparatus <b>10</b>.

[0048] Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.