Abstract:
A multimode exerciser for muscles and muscle-groups stretch exercises has three horizontal platforms disposed along a horizontal rigid frame or bar elevated above ground. One platform near one end of the frame serves as a seat, while another platform near the foot-end services as a foot/ankle rest. An intermediate platform serves also as a 10 foot rest for certain, different, exercises other than those using the foot-end rest.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is filed as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/222,300, entitled “Multi-Mode Exerciser” and filed Aug. 16, 2002. 
     
    
     
       SCOPE OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a stretching and exercise apparatus in general, and in particular to a multi-mode personal exerciser. More particularly still, it relates to an apparatus suitable for stretch exercises for different bodily muscles and muscle groups.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Prior art apparatii for exercising individual muscle groups are well known. Recently an apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles of a user enjoyed widespread use. Other devices are known for exercising (primarily strengthening) targeted muscles or muscle groups. Such apparatii are mostly useful for increasing muscle strength and mass of the targeted muscles.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The benefits of stretching are well known, in fact, it is one of the three essential components of fitness, namely strength, endurance and flexibility. It is also well known that most people are not spending enough time stretching, which results in increased injuries and reduced range of motion. Gyms everywhere provide users with mats so that they may stretch on the floor. An objective of the present invention is to allow a user to perform all the basic stretches he/she normally does on the floor, in a comfortable position elevated above the ground. Although there are other machines that are used for stretching, the present exerciser is unique in that its main focus is to promote the proper techniques for stretching. Existing products force the user into positions they normally would not perform; or that may be harmful to them.  
           [0005]    A need also exists for a compact unit that will allow gyms to conserve valuable space. Existing products are often large and bulky, limiting their use in to health clubs and the consumer market.  
           [0006]    The present invention endeavors to provide a multi-mode stretching or exercise apparatus for stretch exercising of several of an individual&#39;s muscles and muscle groups.  
           [0007]    To overcome at least some of the difficulties associated with prior art devices, the present invention provides an exercise or stretching apparatus for use by an individual user which includes an elongated generally horizontal frame which is positioned above the ground and which extends longitudinally from a first foot-end to a second opposite end. A seating platform is positioned near the opposite end of the horizontal support. The seating platform is mounted for swiveling movement by up to 360° in a horizontal plane relative to the rigid horizontal support. A foot/ankle support is provided near the 6 foot-end and which is adapted to support the feet or ankles of a user when seated on the seating platform in stretch exercising.  
           [0008]    Conveniently, the rigid horizontal support is elevated above ground approximately between 30 and 40 cm. Its length, which should be somewhat adjustable to suit the user&#39;s height, is between 120 and 180 cm. Of course, it is possible to manufacture different versions for different age/height groups, while still using the same components.  
           [0009]    Handles may further be provided at the foot-end and/or adjacent to the opposite end of the horizontal support for gripping by the user when in a seated position on the seating platform. The handles are provided for gripping by the user to increase the intensity of the stretch as a user would pull himself forward thereagainst and assist in maintaining the user&#39;s balance in operation of the apparatus.  
           [0010]    Preferably, the foot/ankle support and/or the seating platform are mounted for horizontal movement relative to each other along the horizontal support, enabling the apparatus to be adjusted for use by a number of different users of different body size and type. A foot rest member may also be provided above the foot/ankle support in a position so as to be engageable by the user&#39;s feet when in the seated position on the platform.  
           [0011]    A leg support may also be provided along the horizontal frame in a position intermediate the foot/ankle support and the seating platform. Most preferably, the leg platform includes a knee support and/or additional foot pad sized to support a user&#39;s support. The leg support similarly may be configured for sliding movement relative to the horizontal support to provide enhanced adjustability of the apparatus.  
           [0012]    Optionally, a back rest may also be provided for assisting in supporting the user in the seated position on the apparatus. The back rest is movable to support the user&#39;s back in a number of positions reclined thereagainst during stretching exercise.  
           [0013]    Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in a stretching apparatus for use by an individual, comprising:  
           [0014]    a rigid generally horizontal support elevated above ground having a foot-end and an opposite end;  
           [0015]    a seating platform near said opposite end;  
           [0016]    a foot/ankle support near said foot-end;  
           [0017]    said seating platform being adapted to support said user in a position seated thereon, said seating platform further being mounted for swiveling movement in a horizontal plane relative to said rigid horizontal support by up to 360°;  
           [0018]    said foot/ankle support and said seating platform being mounted for horizontal movement relative to each other along said horizontal support.  
           [0019]    In another aspect, the present invention resides in a multi-mode stretch exercising apparatus for use by an individual in stretch exercising several muscle groups, comprising:  
           [0020]    a rigid generally horizontal support elevated above ground having a foot-end and an opposite end;  
           [0021]    a seating platform near said opposite end;  
           [0022]    a foot/ankle support near said foot-end;  
           [0023]    a foot-rest member spaced vertically above said foot/ankle support platform, for engaging a foot of said user when seated in said position on said seating platform;  
           [0024]    said seating platform being adapted to support said user in a position seated thereon, said seating platform further being mounted for swiveling movement in a horizontal plane relative to said rigid horizontal support by up to 360°;  
           [0025]    said foot/ankle support being mounted for horizontal movement sliding movement relative to said horizontal support.  
           [0026]    In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a stretching apparatus for use by an individual in stretch exercising various muscle groups, comprising:  
           [0027]    a rigid generally horizontal support elevated above ground having a foot-end and an opposite end;  
           [0028]    a seating platform near said opposite end;  
           [0029]    a foot/ankle support near said foot-end;  
           [0030]    a handle disposed generally above the foot/ankle support for gripping by said user when in a position seated on said seating platform, the handle being coupled to the foot/ankle support for movement therewith;  
           [0031]    said seating platform being adapted to support said user in said position seated thereon, said seating platform further being mounted for swiveling movement in a horizontal plane relative to said rigid horizontal support by up to 360°;  
           [0032]    said foot/ankle support and/or said seating platform being mounted for movement relative to each other along said horizontal support.  
           [0033]    An advantage of the present exercise apparatus is its versatility in spite of structural simplicity. It allows a user to perform various stretching exercises in a comfortable seated position elevated above the ground.  
           [0034]    As would be seen from the detailed description to follow, the present exercise apparatus is particularly suitable for stretch exercises of several muscles and muscle groups of users. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]    The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretch exercise apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 is a side-elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 perspective view of a stretch exercise apparatus in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of FIG. 3. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]    Reference may be made to FIG. 1 which illustrates best a multi-mode stretching exercise apparatus  8  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  8  includes a rigid horizontal metal support  80  which extends longitudinally from a first foot-end  100  to a second opposite end  102 . The horizontal support frame  80  is mounted towards each end  100 , 102  to a respective vertically extending T-shaped frame member  45 , 46 . Although not essential, the horizontal frame  80  is optionally adjustable along its longitudinal length. More preferably, the frame  80  is provided with an adjustable length of between about 120 and 180 cm between the ends  100 , 102 . The frame  80  is preferably positioned elevated approximately 30 to 40 cm above the ground.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 1 and 2 show the key components of the stretching exercise apparatus  8  and which are coupled to the horizontal frame  80 . In particular, the apparatus  8  further includes a pivoted seat  10 , which as will be described is mounted for swiveling movement relative to the frame  80  around its pivot  10 A in the horizontal plane by from a few degrees up to 360°. The seat  10  is mounted on a seat support  16  which is fixedly coupled to the frame  80 .  
         [0042]    The apparatus  8  further includes a gripping handle  30  provided at the foot-end  100  and which is coupled to a slider  86  so as to adapt for sliding along the horizontal frame  80  and relative to the seat  10 . A tightening pin or mechanism  87  is also provided to permit or prevent sliding movement of the slider  86  and handle  30  along the frame  80 . As shown best in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the handle  30  is curved so as to be grippable by a user when seated on the pivoted seat  10  in the operation of the apparatus  8 . The gripping handle  30  further includes a horizontal base portion  88  which, as will be described, is engageable by the user&#39;s foot when seated in position on the seat  10 .  
         [0043]    A pair of foot-end foot pads (or pads)  40 A, 40 B, are secured to a lower portion of the handle  30  for sliding movement therewith relative to the frame  10 .  
         [0044]    A leg support platform  48  is coupled to the frame  80  in an intermediate position between the pivoted seat  10  and foot pads  40 A, 40 B and handle  30 . The support platform  48  preferably includes both a center foot pad  20  and a pair of foam or rubber knee supporting cushion rollers  50   a,   50   b.  The leg support platform  48  is slidable along the horizontal frame  80  by means of a slider  85 . A further tensioning pin or mechanism  90  is provided and which is actuatable by the user to frictionally engage the horizontal frame  80  to permit or secure the slider  85  against relative sliding movement along the frame  80 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 further shows best the apparatus  8  as including an optional reclinable back-rest  69 . The back-rest  69  is positioned behind the seat  10  and includes a foam or rubber roller  70  that is attached to a reclinable metal arm  71 . The arm  71  is in turn coupled to the end  102  of the main body or frame  80  by means of a hinge mechanism  73 . As shown in FIG. 2, the arm  71  pivots up and down by hinge mechanism  73  to pivotally move either towards or away from the seat  10 , enabling a user seated thereon to select a desired reclining position in use of the apparatus  8 .  
         [0046]    A pair of gripping handles  72   a  and  72   b  are positioned at the head-end  102  of the horizontal frame  80 . The gripping handles  72   a,   72   b  extend laterally outward from the seat support  16 , beyond each longitudinal side of the frame  80 , and further assist in maintaining a user&#39;s balance on the apparatus  8  during stretching exercise. Most preferably, the gripping handles  72   a,   72   b  are secured to the seat support  16  and extend therefrom to a distal most portion which is substantially co-planar to the horizontal plane of swiveling movement of the seat  10 .  
         [0047]    Optionally foam, rubber or other like rollers or cushions  60   a,   60   b  may be mounted to the support  46  at a position spaced below the horizontal frame  80  and seat  10 . The rollers  60   a,   60   b  function to support the leg and/or knee of the user in stretching.  
         [0048]    Although not essential, the center foot pad  20  and front foot pads  40   a,   40   b  are preferably also provided in a generally co-planar relationship with the horizontal plane of swiveling movement of the seating platform  10 .  
         [0049]    The attachment of the center footpad  20  to the metal slider  85  which travels along a main frame  80 , and the two smaller foot pads  40 A and  40 B to the slider  86  enables adjustment in the positioning of the foot pads  20 , 40 A, 40 B. The handle  30  is attached to the slider  86  and permits its movement with the foot pads  40 A, 40 B thereby enabling full adjustment in the apparatus  8 . Following adjustment, the sliders  85  and  86  are locked into position by the user engaging or disengaging the pins or tightening mechanisms  90  and  87 , respectively.  
         [0050]    Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the leg support platform  48  as including a center footpad  20  and a pair of individual cushioning rollers  50 A, 50 B, the invention is not so limited. Reference may be had to FIGS. 3 and 4 which illustrate a further embodiment of the stretching exercise apparatus  8  in which like reference numerals are used to identify like components.  
         [0051]    The exercise apparatus  8  of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a rigid horizontal support  80  along which sliders  85 , 86  are slidably mounted in the same manner as with the embodiment of FIG. 1. A pivoted seat  10  is coupled to the support  80  towards the end  102  so as to be pivotal in a horizontal plane up to 360° by means of pivot  10   a  and which is mounted to seat support  16 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 4 shows best the apparatus as including a leg support platform  48  mounted on the slider  85  for sliding movement relative to the seat  10  therewith. The leg support platform  48  includes a foam rubber leg support  110  which is generally cylindrical and oriented with its cylindrical axis A-A 1  extending in a generally horizontal orientation transversely to the direction of elongation of the support  80 . As shown best in FIG. 4, the leg support  110  is coupled to the slider  85  by way of a telescoping support member  112 . The support member  12  is co-operable with a locking pin  114  to permit vertical adjustment in the height of the leg support  110  relative to the frame  80 . Most preferably, the telescoping support member  112  extends vertically from a position directly above the support member  80  and has a length selected to enable positioning of the rubber leg support  110  in a variety of orientations spaced both vertically above, parallel to and vertically below the horizontal plane of rotation of the seat  10 .  
         [0053]    Although not essential, the apparatus  8  of FIG. 3 is further provided with a gripping handle  30  which is open along its upper portion. An instruction book or magazine support  120  is optionally provided, coupled to the handle  30  for sliding movement together with the slider  86 . The magazine support  120  is positioned in a location to permit a user seated on the seat  10  to read instructions and/or other printed materials positioned on the support  120  during stretch exercising.  
         [0054]    The apparatus  8  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may further be provided with an inclined ankle stretch platform  122 . The ankle stretch platform  122  is in a simplified construction coupled to the frame member  45  so as to enable a user to stretch his or her calf muscles by standing on the support  122  while leaning forward and gripping the handles  30 .  
         [0055]    In the apparatus of FIG. 3, the backrest  69  is provided with a generally planar back pad  124  in place of the foam or rubber roller  70 . In such a construction, the back pad  124  is pivotally coupled to the reclinable metal arm  71  by means of a pivot joint  126 . Other backrest configurations, however, also remain possible.  
         [0056]    Further details of the structure and operation of the apparatus  8  will be better understood in conjunction with the following description of the several modes of use to exercise and stretch the identified muscles and muscle groups.  
         [0057]    The Groin Stretch:—This stretch stretches the groin or inner thigh muscles. The user is seated on the seat  10 . Both his/her feet are placed on the center foot pads  20  with the soles of the feet touching each other. The slider  85  is slid to move the support platform  48  closer or further away from the seat  10  depending on the size of the user. The pin  90  is used to lock the center footpad  20  into a desired position. The user holds on to the handle  30  by leaning forward and pulling himself closer to the handle  30  until a stretch on the groin is felt. The user may have to adjust the distance the handle  30  is away from him/her by moving the slider  86  along the body or frame  80  either towards him/her or away from him/her. Again the pin  87  is use to lock the frame  86  into position.  
         [0058]    The Straddle Stretch:—This stretch stretches the hamstring and quadriceps muscles. The user is seated on the seat  10 . One leg is straight so that the ankle rests on one of the smaller foot pads  40 A or  40 B. The ball of the user&#39;s foot is pushed against the lower horizontal bar  88  of the handle  30 . The slider  86  is adjusted away or towards the seat  10  and user until the ball of the foot rests comfortably against the handle  30  when the leg is fully extended. The other leg is bent at the knee and the top of the foot is placed on the roller  60   a  or  60   b  under the seat  10 . The knee or thigh (whichever is more comfortable for the user) of the bent leg is under the center foot pad  20  and rests against the roller  50   a  or  50   b.  When the hamstring of the straight leg is to be stretched, the user would hold the handle  30  and pull himself forward. When the quadriceps of the bent leg is to be stretched, the user would hold on to the handles  72   a  and  72   b  and lean backwards. The users back would be resting against the roller  70 .  
         [0059]    The Back Extension:—This stretch stretches the abdominal muscles and the chest muscles. The user is seated on the seat  10  with both feet on the floor. The user would lean back on the roller  70 . The arm  71  would pivot at the pivot  73  and the roller  70  would move downward for about  45 %. The arm  71  would then lock into place and the user is not able to recline any further. The user would lift his/her arms over his/her head and reach backward until he feels the stretch in his/her abdominal muscles and chest muscle.  
         [0060]    The Pectoral Stretch:—The user is seated on the seat  10  with both feet on the floor. The user would hold the handle  30  with one hand and with the arm extended. He would rotate the seat  10  outward about the pivot  10 A until he feels a stretch of his/her pectoral muscles.  
         [0061]    The Lat Stretch:—The user is seated on the seat  10  with both feet on the floor. The user would hold the handle  30  with one hand and with the arm extended. He would rotate the seat  10  inward about the pivot  10 A until he feels a stretch of his/her pectoral muscles.  
         [0062]    The Individual Leg Groin Stretch:—The user is seated on the seat  10  with on leg extended straight and the other on the floor. The foot of the extended leg is on the other side of the base  88  of the handle  30  so that the top of the foot is pressed against the base  88 . The user would rotate the seat  10  about the pivot  10 A away from the body until a stretch in the inner thigh or the groin is felt. The user would hold on to the handles  72   a  and  72   b  to keep his/her balance.  
         [0063]    The Glute Stretch:—This stretch stretches the glute muscles and the external hip rotators. The user is seated on the seat  10 . One leg is extended straight and the ankle rests on the foot pads  40 A or  40 B, with the ball of the same foot resting against the horizontal base portion  88  of the handle  30  to stop the user&#39;s foot from moving therebeyond. The slider  86  is adjusted away or towards the body depending upon the size of the user. The other leg is bent and the knee and crossed over the straight leg the foot resting on the center foot pad  20 . The user would hold the knee of the bent leg and move it towards the chest which would stretch the glute muscle. With the other hand the user would hold handle  72   a  or  72   b  and rotate at the hips. This would stretch the hip rotator muscles.  
         [0064]    The user, by using a combination of the above positions can develop a large variety of stretching positions. As he/she gains flexibility and body awareness his/her level of sophistication and the degree of difficulty of the stretching positions may be increased a will.  
         [0065]    Although the detailed description describes and illustrates various preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and variations will now occur to a person skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the appended claims.