Muscle stretching device and method for using the same

A device and method for stretching, toning and strengthening the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient thereby relieving pain and improving posture. Typically the patient is suffering from tension related muscle problems. The device and method are used to facilitate therapeutic treatment of the muscle problems by progressively stretching the muscles and thereby relieving the muscle problems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and methods, and more particularly, to equipment and methods for stretching muscles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of therapeutic equipment used to stretch and exercise certain muscle groups. In particular the device and method of the present invention is directed to treatment of persons who are suffering from stress related muscle problems in the neck, shoulders and upper back.

Persons who suffer from these stress related problems typically appear to walk or stand in a slumped forward position which results in short and tight chest muscles. Further, their shoulder muscles are sagging and the upper back muscles between the shoulder blades are long, atrophied and very sore. When the head is carried forward, the muscles in the upper back and lower neck are significantly strained just keeping the head erect. This medical condition is known as “anterior translation” and is the single largest cause of upper back and neck pain as well as tension headaches in the skull. Typically, these conditions result in spinal misalignment of the neck and upper back. The spinal misalignment problems usually start early in life and progress to more serious conditions such as disc problems and hump back.

In the past, one of the therapies for the aforementioned problems has been various exercises intended to stretch the muscles without the use of any device to facilitate the exercise. However, patients performing such exercises have generally been unable to precisely and consistently repeat the particular motions associated with the exercises, resulting in a diminished therapeutic effect. The device and method of the present invention is adapted to facilitate and improve upon the muscle stretching exercises which relieves the problems mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a platform comprising a device for stretching the muscles in the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back to relieve tension related muscles problems. The device comprises a generally flat longitudinally extending area comprising a top surface and a bottom surface wherein preferably the top surface is padded for a user's comfort, a plurality of legs attached to the bottom surface of the platform for positioning the device at an angle to a horizontal surface and a rotating handle bar slidingly attached to the bottom of the platform and adapted to allow the user to stretch his or her muscles through sliding movement of the bar in a direction generally parallel to the top of the platform.

The present invention is also directed to providing a method for stretching chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient to relieve tension related muscle problems. The method comprises providing a device comprising a platform comprising a generally flat longitudinally extending area comprising a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the top surface is padded for the patient's comfort, a plurality of legs attached to the bottom surface of the platform for positioning the device at an angle to a horizontal surface and a rotating handle bar slidingly attached to the bottom of the platform and adapted to allow the patient to stretch his or her muscles through sliding movement of the bar in a direction generally parallel to the top of the platform, positioning the patient on the platform of the device, engaging the patient in stretching exercises by setting the rotating handle bar to a position relative to the top of the platform and directing the patient to slidingly move the rotating handle bar a plurality of times to stretch out muscles.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a muscle stretching device comprising a platform assembly, a base assembly and a handlebar assembly connected to the platform assembly is provided. The platform assembly preferably comprises a first section, a second section and a concave transition between the first and second sections. In preferred embodiments, the platform assembly has a compact position and an expanded position.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a muscle stretching device is provided which comprises a base assembly mounted to a platform and a handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly is preferably adapted for sliding movement with respect to the platform in a direction parallel to a plane defined by a surface of the platform. In preferred embodiments, the handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar that is adapted to rotate with respect to the plane. In additional preferred embodiments, the handlebar is adapted to rotate to a plurality of pre-selected positions with respect to the plane, more preferably, three preselected positions. In other preferred embodiments, the handlebar is adapted to rotate above and below the platform plane.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a muscle stretching device comprising a platform assembly, a handlebar assembly, and a guide assembly is provided. The platform assembly comprises a platform mounted to a base assembly. The guide assembly is attached to the platform and includes a frame having a pair of sidewalls. At least one roller assembly is attached to each sidewall. The handlebar assembly comprises a sliding engagement member connected to a handlebar, and the sliding engagement member slidingly engages the guide assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the guide assembly is attached to the lower surface of the platform. In other preferred embodiments, the sliding engagement member slidingly engages the guide assembly between the roller assembly and the lower surface of the platform. In still other preferred embodiments, three roller assemblies are provided.

In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, a method of stretching the muscles for use by a person is provided. According to the method, a platform assembly comprising a platform mounted to a base assembly is provided. The platform has surface that defines a plane. A handlebar assembly is provided which comprises a handlebar adapted for sliding movement with respect to the platform in a direction parallel to the platform plane. To perform the method, the person lies on the platform, grips the handlebar, and extends the handlebar away from the platform in a direction parallel to the plane.

In a preferred embodiment, the person rotates the handlebar to a pre-selected position with respect to the plane before extending it. In accordance with other preferred embodiments, the position is about 10 degrees below the plane. In further preferred embodiments, the position is about 40 degrees above the plane, in still other preferred embodiments, the position is about 90 degrees above the plane. In still other preferred embodiments, the platform comprises a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between the first and second sections and the person extends the handlebar such that her shoulders extend beneath the top surface of the platform. In yet additional preferred embodiments, the handlebar defines a plurality of fixed handlebar locations, and the user grips the handlebar at one of those fixed locations. It is particularly preferred that the person repeat the extension step while gripping three different fixed locations

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in the context of its presently preferred embodiment as illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto with departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring toFIGS. 1-9, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, exercise device10comprises a platform12on which a user of the device will lay. The platform12is padded and covered with a vinyl material for the comfort of the users. A rotating handle bar14is slidingly connected to the bottom of the platform12at its top end13. The device10further comprises a plurality of legs16. The legs16are fixed to the bottom of platform12in a conventional manner near its top end13. The legs16are sized to provide the proper angle to the horizontal for the stretching exercises described below.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the bottom of platform12is provided with a first set of elongated tracks18. As shown inFIG. 3, the rotating handle bar14is connected to a second set of elongated metal tracks20. The tracks20are adapted to be slidingly received in tracks18. As described below, when the user moves the bar14, the tracks20will be extended in a longitudinal direction into and out of tracks18.

A ring pin15on the rotating handle bar14allows the user to rotate the handle bar14to different positions with respect to the top of the platform12. As explained below, changing the angle of the rotating handle bar14with respect to the platform12allows the user to set the difficulty level for the stretching exercises.

The method of using the device10will now be described. First, the user sets the rotating handle bar14to the position with respect to platform12that provides the easiest movement. This is accomplished by removing the ring pin15, turning the bar14to a first mark17, and reinserting the ring pin15.

As partially illustrated inFIG. 8, the user lies on the platform12on her back with her head at the top end13of the platform12. She flexes her knees to the chest and positions the feet directly under her buttocks. The user then does three stretches each of which is progressively more strenuous. The stretches target the muscle groups from the outer edge of the body to progressively closer to the midline of the spine. For the easiest stretch, the user places her or his hands on outer stripes19on rotating handle bar14. She extends the arms above the head and then repeats the exercise and thereby extends rotating handle bar14by means of the tracks20extending out of the tracks18. The user then locks the elbows, slowly counts to about 60 or more, and then retracts the bar14into the original position.

This position—with the hands on the outer stripes19—stretches and tones the muscles of the chest as well as the muscles along the outer sides of the body which including the chest, trunk and arms. Next, she places her hands on middle stripes21and repeats the same exercise. This stretches and tones the muscle groups between the outer edge of the body and midline of the spine including the muscle around the shoulder blades and shoulder joints. Finally, the user places both hands on inner stripe22. This stretches the key muscle groups along the spine itself including those in the mid and upper back, the lower neck, and across the traps.

The user is able to completely stretch and tone all of the joints and muscle groups across the chest, in the shoulders and rotator cuff, the traps and upper shoulders, the lower neck, the upper and mid back, as well as the key groups between the shoulder blades in a relatively short period of time. Thus, the key muscle groups that cause stress, back pain, neck pain, and tension headaches are stretched out. Consequently, the user's stress related symptoms will be lessened and/or preferably alleviated through repetition of these exercises.

Once the user is comfortable using the device10of the present invention in the easiest setting, she or he can set the handle bar14through the adjustment of the ring pin15to a setting which causes more stretching by rotating bar14further from the top of platform12. The increased setting puts more external rotation into the shoulder girdle which dramatically increases the stretch benefit when extending overhead. After the user is comfortable with an increase, she or he can progress to a more advanced setting by rotating the bar14further from the top of platform12. This is the most challenging and therapeutic of all.

When the user has reached the point of maximum stretch and flexibility, which will be different for everyone, she or he can gain more benefit by adding resistance to the regimen described above. Resistance adds the benefits of increased muscle tone, stamina, and strength. As illustrated inFIG. 9, resistance is added by attaching a stretchable band24between the rotating bar14and the bottom of the platform12. After the resistance is added, the same exercises as described above are repeated. More bands or stronger bands may be added to further increase resistance. The resistance bands take the user to a new level by giving strength and endurance, as well as flexibility.

A muscle stretching device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment is depicted generally inFIG. 10. As shown in the Figure, the device of this embodiment comprises a platform assembly100comprising a platform110, a base assembly200, and a handlebar assembly280.

Platform110preferably includes a padded material and a vinyl covering for user comfort. Platform110includes a first section112where the user places his head and a second section116, where the user places his torso and legs. Concave transition114connects first section112and second section116. Concave transition114is best seen inFIG. 10A, which is a top plan view of the exercise device of the second embodiment. AsFIG. 10Aindicates, first section112comprises straight side portions of platform110as does second section116. As shown inFIG. 10A, first section112is generally wider than second section116. Concave transition114comprises two concave side portions of platform110, each of which connect the first section112and second section116on each side of platform110. In use, the user places his shoulders at concave transition114, such that they roll back and dip below the top surface of platform110when extending handlebar290away from platform110. The ability to roll back and dip the shoulders in this manner provides a more therapeutically effective stretch. However, concave transition114can have a number of different specific curvatures that provide this functionality.

Base assembly200is collapsible and comprises two legs210, which are attached at an end of platform110near second section116and away from handlebar assembly280. Legs210are connected by cross-member240. As best seen inFIG. 11, legs210are pivotally connected to the lower surface of platform110by a bracket assembly220. The pivotal connection allows legs210to open and close, enabling the user to collapse the device for ease of storage.

Handlebar assembly280comprises a handlebar290attached to a pair of handle brackets300. Handle brackets300are connected to a handlebar housing310which is adapted to rotate to a plurality of preselected positions, as will be described in greater detail below. Handlebar assembly280also includes a sliding engagement member350, preferably a rectangular metal glide, which allows the user to slide handlebar290away from platform110in a direction parallel to the surface of platform110. Sliding engagement member350has upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface (not shown) is preferably smooth. However, the lower surface can be smooth, as inFIG. 11, or corrugated, as inFIG. 12.

As best seen inFIG. 11, the device of the second embodiment includes a guide assembly400which cooperates with sliding engagement member350to enable handlebar290to slidably move with respect to platform110. Guide assembly400comprises a frame410having a pair of sidewalls420. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the sidewalls420are connected by an integral flat portion422that is secured to the lower surface of platform110by suitable fasteners. A plurality of roller assemblies430are connected to each side wall. Each roller assembly comprises two rollers432connected by a roller shaft434. Rollers432are spaced apart from integral flat portion422and rotate freely within frame410.

Sliding engagement member350is disposed within frame410such that its lower surface rests on rollers432beneath the integral flat portion422and the lower surface of platform110. The engagement of sliding engagement member350with rollers432enables the handlebar assembly280to slide in and out of frame410, and thereby slideably move with respect to platform110. Thus, handlebar290can be extended from platform110in a controlled manner, as it is restrained by the sliding engagement member350and roller assemblies430such that it can only move in a direction that is parallel to platform110.

FIG. 13depicts the device of the second embodiment with the handlebar assembly280and cross-member240removed. As shown in the figure, the device of the second embodiment further comprises a handlebar extension restraint460for restraining the movement of handlebar assembly280as the user slides it away from platform110. Handlebar extension restraint460prevents the user from sliding handlebar assembly280entirely out of guide assembly400. Preferably, handlebar extension restraint460comprises two rectangular blocks secured to integral flat portion422and the lower surface of platform110by suitable fasteners such as t-nuts. Handlebar restraint460has two faces460a(one of which is shown) which are used to abuttingly restrain the movement of sliding engagement member350. A variety of materials can be used for the handlebar restraint, however, an acetyl copolymer such as DELRIN®, a registered trademark of DuPont Corporation, is especially preferred.

To prevent it from being pulled out of guide assembly400, sliding engagement member350includes an extension restraining piece352on its free end away from handlebar assembly280. Preferably, restraining piece352is a rectangular block of DELRIN®, secured at the end of sliding engagement member350and facing towards the lower surface of platform110. Restraining piece352and handlebar extension restraint460are preferably of sufficient thickness that when the user slides handlebar assembly280away from platform110, restraining piece352will eventually abut handlebar restraint460at face460a, thereby preventing further movement of handlebar assembly280away from platform110. At this point, handlebar assembly280is fully extended from platform110, as depicted inFIG. 14. In like fashion, handlebar retraction restraint450is attached to lower surface of platform110away from handlebar assembly280. Retraction restraint is preferably a rectangular block of DELRIN®. Restraining piece352and retraction restraint450are preferably of sufficient thickness that when the user retracts handlebar assembly280, restraining piece352abuts against retraction restraint450, thereby preventing further retraction. At this point, handlebar assembly280is in its fully retracted position.

According to the second embodiment, the exercise device is collapsible. To provide collapsibility, base assembly200includes a pair of arms250, each of which is pivotally connected at one end to frame410of guide assembly400located on the lower surface of the platform110. Any known connector which provides a pivotal connection between arms250and frame410can be used, such as bolts245. Arms250are also connected to bearing carrier260via nipples270, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 13. Arms250include an aperture designed to accommodate nipples270attached to bearing carriers260. Arms250are thereby able to rotate about nipples270. Each leg210of base assembly200is inserted through a corresponding bearing carrier260, such that each bearing carrier260can slide along its corresponding leg210. Each nipple270is secured within a corresponding end of cross-member240by a known connector, such as a nut and bolt or a clevis pin and retainer. The free end of each leg210is also provided with a foot212which restrains the movement of bearing carrier260.

As a result of the foregoing configuration, when the user pushes cross-member240away from handlebar assembly280, bearing carriers260slide along their respective legs210in the same direction. As a result, arms250rotate away from handlebar assembly280and eventually abut the lower surface of platform. Frame410includes notch412which is sized to accommodate cross-member240. Once arms250have fully rotated away from handlebar assembly280, cross-member240is positioned within notch412, at which point the device is in its compact position and ready for storage.

When in use, platform110is preferably angled with respect to the legs210and the surface on which the device is placed such that the first section112is elevated above second section116. A variety of angles (θ) between platform110and legs210can be used. An angle of 0 to 20 degrees is preferred. An angle of 5 to 15 degrees is especially preferred and an angle of 10 degrees is most preferred. The angle is also preferably adjustable between angles of 0 to 20 degrees, and more preferably between 0 and 15 degrees, with an adjustable angle of 0 to 10 degrees being especially preferred.

As mentioned previously, the device of the second embodiment is designed to enable the user to rotate handlebar290to several pre-selected positions with respect to the plane defined by the lower surface of platform110. An exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the handlebar assembly is provided inFIG. 12. Handlebar290comprises three pieces, a center piece294aand right and left pieces293aand295a(not shown inFIG. 12) which are coupled to center piece294a, preferably by screwing or snapping thereto. Handle brackets300are attached at one end to handle bar center piece294aand at an opposite end to an inner tube330by fastener331.

It is especially preferred that center piece294ahave internally threaded ends which are configured for threaded engagement with complementary external threads on right and left pieces293aand295a. Center piece294aalso includes a pair of hubs298on each of its ends. Bracket apertures301are positioned on hubs298such that brackets300are fixed between right piece293aand center piece294aand between left piece295aand center piece294awhen the right and left pieces are coupled to center piece294a. Center piece294ais inserted into foam grip294, and right and left pieces293aand295aare inserted into foam grip pairs292and293and295and296and296, respectively.

A hollow outer tube320is fixedly attached to an outer tube bracket284connected to the bottom surface of sliding engagement member350. The outer tube320has three aperture pairs322a-c(only one pair of which is shown inFIG. 12). The apertures comprising each pair are axially spaced apart from one another proximate opposite ends of outer tube320. Each aperture pair322a-cis spaced apart from the other pairs around the circumference of outer tube320. The positions of the three aperture pairs322a-cdefine the pre-selected rotational positions of the handlebar290.

Again referring toFIG. 12, inner tube320is disposed in the hollow outer tube320. Inner tube320contains a single pair of apertures332which are alignable with each of the aperture pairs322a-cof outer tube320. Inner tube320has a longitudinal axis which is the axis of rotation of handlebar290.

Handlebar housing320comprises upper half320band lower half320a, which are secured to one another, preferably by screws, so as to partially contain handle brackets300, and the apertured portions of outer tube320. A locking member340, preferably a spring lock, is provided for releasable insertion through apertures332and aperture pairs322a-c. Locking member340has a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, locking member340is inserted through apertures332and one of aperture pairs322a-c. In the release position, it is withdrawn from apertures332and aperture pairs322a-c. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 12, locking member340has a c-shape with a pair of ends344connected by a center portion343. Springs342are provided to bias locking member340in a locking position towards outer tube320. Upper half320band lower half320aof handlebar housing320each include complementary pairs of molded in spring retainer guides341for retaining locking member340and springs340within housing320.

FIGS. 10,10aand11show the handlebar assembly in its assembled state. Aperture pairs322a-cdefine three rotational positions located at about 10 degrees below, 40 degrees above and 90 degrees above the plane defined by the lower surface of platform110. To adjust the position of handlebar290, the user grips center portion343of locking member340thereby pulling ends344out of inner tube aperture pair332and one of outer tube aperture pairs322a-c. While gripping locking member340, the user rotates handlebar290, handle brackets300, locking member340, housing310and inner tube330about the longitudinal axis of inner tube330. Because it is fixedly attached to the bottom of sliding engagement member350, outer tube320remains stationary during this rotation. Once the user reaches the desired rotation corresponding to one pair of aperture pairs322a, borc, he releases locking member340. The biasing action of springs342then inserts ends344through one of the aperture pairs322a, borcof outer tube320and through aperture pair332of inner tube330, thereby locking the handlebar290into place at the desired rotational position.

The muscle stretching device of this embodiment is preferably designed to facilitate stretching with the hands positioned at multiple widths from one another on handlebar290. Stretching at wider hand spacings focuses on the most lateral muscles, including the triceps, latissimus, and lateral rotator cuff muscles. Stretching at narrower hand spacings focuses on the spinal and para-spinal muscles of the lower cervical spine and the entire thoracic spine. Intermediate spacings focus on muscles lying between the foregoing positions along the posterior of the body, including the trapezius and the scapular muscles, as well as muscles located along the anterior of the body such as the pectoralis and the anterior chest muscles.

The muscle stretching device of this embodiment is more preferably designed to facilitate stretching with the hands placed at three widths from one another. Referring again toFIG. 10, handlebar290is provided with a plurality of foam segments292-296. The foam segments allow the user to repeatably space his hands at fixed distances from the center of handlebar290when using the device, thereby providing for more consistent stretching and enhanced therapeutic effect. For example, the user can use foam segments292and296to position the hands for a wide stretch, foam segments293and295for an intermediate stretch, and foam segment294for a narrow stretch. The widths and positions of the foam segments292-296are preferably designed to focus the user's stretching on the three sets of muscle groups identified above for wider, narrower and intermediate hand spacings.

A preferred embodiment of a method for stretching muscles using the device of the second embodiment will now be described. According to this embodiment, the user first adjusts handlebar290to the desired rotational position as described above. If more strenuous stretching is desired, handlebar290is rotated below the plane defined by the lower surface of platform110. Referring toFIG. 1, this corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation of handlebar290. If less strenuous exercise is desired, handlebar290is rotated above the plane. The user then lies on platform110with her head positioned in first section112and her feet located at the opposite end in second section116. The user's shoulders should be positioned at concave transition section114such that they can roll back and dip below the plane of the top surface of platform110when extending handlebar290. As with the embodiment of the method described previously, the user flexes her knees to her chest and positions her feet directly below her buttocks to take the forward lumbar curve out of the lower back.

The user then grips the foam segments292-296to obtain the desired spacing of the hands with respect to the center of handlebar290. For easier stretching, the outermost foam segments292and296are gripped. For the most difficult stretching, center foam segment294is gripped with both hands. It is especially preferred that the user perform three sets of progressively more strenuous stretches, starting from the outside of handlebar290and working inward. The particular muscles that are targeted by using the various positions defined by foam segments292-296on handlebar290are described above.

While gripping handlebar290, the user extends her arms away from platform110until fully extended and preferably holds them in the fully extended position for at least 60 seconds. She then retracts her arms to the starting position. It is especially preferred to hold the stretch for at least 60 seconds at each of the three hand spacings defined by foam segments292-296.

The user can optionally add additional resistance to the stretching device of the second embodiment by attaching a resistance increasing device such as a stretchable band, an elongated spring or a bungee cord to it. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 13, two-cross bars440a(not visible inFIG. 11) and 440bare preferably provided and attached to sidewalls420of frame410. The user can attach the ends of such a resistance increasing device to one of the cross-bars440aand440band to mounting bar353which is secured to the bottom of glide350proximate handlebar housing310. In addition, the user can wrap a resistance increasing device around cross-bar440aor440band attach both ends of the resistance increasing device to mounting bar353. It is especially preferred to connect a linear resistance spring to mounting bar353and cross-bar440b. If further increased resistance is desired, it is particularly preferred to wrap a linear resistance spring around cross-bar440aand connect both ends of the spring to mounting bar353.

The device and method described above stretches the chest muscles, tightens the mid back muscles, lifts the chest and pulls the shoulders up and back. The result is preferably improved posture. By straightening the posture, the head is balanced over the shoulders, as it should be and thereby taking all the aggravating stress of the neck and upper back muscles away from the person.

The embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses of, and departures from, the above-described embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely by the scope of the following claims.