Stretching device for therapy

A stretching device is provided. The stretching device includes a base. The base includes at least one frame extending forward and being in contact with an upright member extending upwardly from a front end thereof. The frame secures an inclined foot platform. The inclined foot platform tilts upward in the direction toward the upright member. The stretching device includes at least one gripping device. The gripping device includes at least one handlebar or handle loops mounted on the upright member and configured at a height that is between the shoulders and thighs of a user. The stretching device is configured such that the hands of the user are located in close proximity to the upright member when the device is in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stretching device, and more particularly to a stretching device for training and therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional stretching device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,456,649, 4,419,990, 864,188, yet it cannot cure muscle tension. Another conventional stretching device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,841,973, 6,705,974, 4,819,936 so as to stretch muscle groups, such as hamstrings, calves and Achilles tendons, but it cannot stretch muscles of an upper body.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,069 discloses a ‘Back Stretcher’ device which is used to stretch the spine but it is only applied to stretch abdominal muscles, so the back muscles cannot be stretched effectively.

Also, a traction exercise apparatus is disclosed in U.S. patent Ser. No. 12/729,016 and US Publication No. 2011/0230808, yet the user's legs have to be tied and the body is hanged upside down, having an unsafe and impractical operation. Furthermore, the user must use much force to grip the handle bars thus not allowing his shoulders to relax, the position of the users head tilting backward is contrary to the position needed to fully stretch the back and neck, the position of the user's feet are not flexed to stretch the calves and hamstrings, thus the therapeutic stretching is insufficient and incomplete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a stretching device for therapy which in operation, the base is placed on the ground, and the inclined foot platform is sloped 30 to 40 degrees relative to the ground, then the frame abuts against the upright member, and frame is adjusted to match various users' body sizes and flexibility levels, thereafter a user stands on the inclined foot platform, stoops down and places his/her hands through and grips the two handle loops while keeping legs straight and leaning backward to stretch his/her body, hence the user is capable of stretching calves, hamstring, lower back, upper back, shoulder and neck, also to provide traction to the spine.

To obtain the above objectives, a stretching device is provided.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stretching device includes a base. The base includes at least one frame extending forward and being in contact with an upright member extending upwardly from a front end thereof. The frame secures an inclined foot platform. The inclined foot platform tilts upward in the direction toward the upright member. The stretching device includes at least one gripping device. The gripping device includes at least one handlebar or handle loops mounted on the upright member and configured at a height that is between the shoulders and thighs of a user. The stretching device is configured such that the hands of the user are located in close proximity to the upright member when the device is in use.

In another aspect of the present invention, the stretching device includes a base. The base includes a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame. The first frame secures an inclined foot platform. The base extends forward and is in contact with an upright member extending, upwardly from a front end thereof. The stretching device also includes at least one gripping device. The gripping device includes at least one handlebar or handle loops mounted on the upright member. The second frame is axially connected with the front end of the first frame. The third frame is coupled with the rear end of the second frame. The inclined foot platform is axially connected with a rear end of the first frame by a plurality of first hinges. At least one adjustable support is operatively associated with the foot platform such that the inclined foot platform may be pivoted from a flat position to a plurality of incline positions. The second frame is extended and located at a flat plane with the first frame or may be folded to overlap with the first frame. The third frame includes two legs that are inserted into two grooves of the second frame. The legs may be inserted into the grooves and fixed by a fixing mechanism at a plurality of depths thereby adjusting the length of the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference toFIG. 1, a stretching device for therapy according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a base1, placed on the ground, connecting to or abutting against an upright member2(such as a closed door in a doorway), and including a first frame11disposed on a rear end thereof; and two handle loops3mounted on the upright member2. A user may choose a closed door which is appropriate to perform stretching using the invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the base1further includes the first frame11, a second frame12, and a third frame13, wherein the first frame11has an outer rack111, two adjustable supports112, and an inclined foot platform113, the inclined foot platform113is axially connected with the rear end of the first frame11by way of a plurality of first hinges114, such that the inclined foot platform113is folded on or tilted relative to the outer rack111.

It is preferable that the two adjustable supports112are positioned at a plurality of positions so that a slope of the inclined foot platform113is adjustable.

The second frame12is axially connected with the front end of the first frame11by ways of a plurality of second hinges116, so it is extended and located at a flat plane with the first frame11or is folded to overlapped with the first frame11.

The third frame13is coupled with the second frame12. The second frame12has two parallel grooves121a,121bdefined therein, and the third frame13is formed in a U shape and has two legs131a,131binserted into the two grooves121a,121b. A fixing mechanism is defined between the second frame12and the third frame13. As shown inFIG. 2, the fixing mechanism includes a plurality of holes122a,122bformed in the two grooves121a,121band two movable balls132a,132bfixed on the legs131a,131b. When the third frame13slides inwardly or outwardly, one of the plurality of holes122a,122bretains with one of the two movable balls132a,132bso that the third frame13is fixed. In other words, a length of the second frame12and the third frame13is defined between the plurality of holes122a,122band the two movable balls132a,132b, thus adjusting the second frame12and the third frame13.

Referring further toFIG. 3, the two handle loops3are fixed on an adjusting belt31, and the adjusting belt31has a cam buckle32mounted on one end thereof and an adjustment fastener33so that the adjusting belt31is tied on the upright member2(as illustrated inFIG. 1). Accordingly, a user places one of his/her hands through each handle loop3and grips his/her fingers around the handle loop3on the other side to prevent his/her hands from slipping out. Each handle loop3has a rigid ring34fitted thereon so as to lessen the mouth of each handle loop3, such that the user pulls the rigid ring around the handle loops closer to his/her hands to make the handle loop size smaller and easier to grip. Each handle loop3also has a foam sleeve35covered thereon so as to hold the user's hands in each handle loop3comfortably and securely. Preferably, the belt with handle loops is to be used with the frame and foot pedestal, and it can be also used independently. For example, when traveling, it may not be convenient to carry the inclined foot pedestal; however, the belt may be easily carried and used on any door or upright member for the user to stretch his back and shoulders in a similar way.

The belt with handle loops can be also used independently without the frame and foot pedestal.

With reference toFIG. 4, in operation, the base1is placed on the ground, and the inclined foot platform113is sloped 30 to 40 degrees relative to the ground, then the third frame13abuts against the upright member2, and the third frame13is adjusted to match various users' body sizes and flexibility levels, thereafter a user stands on the inclined foot platform113, stoops down and places his/her hands through and grips the two handle loops22while keeping legs straight and leaning backward to stretch his/her body, hence the user is capable of stretching calves, hamstring, lower back, upper back, shoulder and neck, also to stretch the spine. It is to be noted that the two handle loops3are fixed at a height of the upright member2approximately relative to the user's waist, and a width between the two handle loops3is equal to a width of the user's shoulder.

As shown inFIG. 5, when the stretching device is not used, the base1is folded to be more compact. In detail, the first frame11or the second frame12is turned to superpose each other. This makes the stretching device easy to be stored.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, a stretching device for therapy according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a base1, the base1matches with an upright member of a fitness device4, and the fitness device4includes a horizontal rod41mounted on one side thereof and facing to the base1, the horizontal rod41has two handle loops5disposed on two fitting seats51, and each fitting seat51is fitted on the horizontal rod41and has a fixing element52for fixing the each fitting seat51on the horizontal rod41. The horizontal rod41has plural orifices411for inserting two fixing elements52therein so as to adjust a width between the two handle loops5.

Referring toFIG. 7, a stretching device for therapy according to a third embodiment of the present invention matches with an upright member of a fitness device4, and the fitness device4is integrally connected with a base6, and the base6includes an adjustable mount61and a inclined foot platform62. The inclined foot platform62is connected with a rear end of the adjustable mount61by ways of plural hinges63, and between the inclined foot platform62and the adjustable mount61are defined two posts64. Thereby, the inclined foot platform62is overlapped or obliquely fixed on the adjustable mount61so that the inclined foot platform62is lifted to be used as an oblique platform.

Referring toFIG. 8, a stretching device for therapy according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a base7, and the base7includes a frame71and an inclined foot platform72. The inclined foot platform72has a rear end coupled with a rear end of the frame71, and the frame71and the inclined foot platform72are supported by a supporting rack73so as to form a beveled angle between the frame71and the inclined foot platform72, the frame71extends outward from a front end of the inclined foot platform72so as to abut against an upright member2.

With reference toFIG. 9, a stretching device for therapy according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises a base8, the base8includes a frame81, a inclined foot platform82, two adjustable supports83, and a fixed pedestal84. The inclined foot platform82is connected with a rear end of the frame81by means of plural hinges85, and the frame81is mounted on the fixed pedestal84, the two adjustable supports83are fixed between the inclined foot platform82and the frame81, and the two adjustable supports83are positioned at a plurality of positions so that the inclined foot platform82is lifted to be used as an oblique platform. The fixed pedestal84has a front end coupling with an upright member9, and the upright member9has a column91on which a movable stem92is disposed, and the movable stem92has two handle loops93.

As shown inFIG. 10, the frame81has a slot811defined therein so as to fit an extension841of the fixed pedestal84, such that the fixed pedestal84is moved and fixed on the frame81, wherein the slot811is defined in a tube812of the frame81, and two ends of the tube812extend out of the frame81, wherein the tube812has a first fix knob86mounted thereon, and the extension841has a plurality of apertures842defined thereon relative to the first fix knob86.

The movable stem92of the upright member9has a sheath921arranged on a central position thereof so as to fit the column91, and the sheath921has a second fix knob922disposed thereon so that the movable stem92is positioned on the column91. The column91has a plurality of openings911defined thereon so as to insert the second fix knob922.

The two handle loops93are mounted on a locking holder94, and the locking holder94is fitted on the movable stem92and has a third fix knob95for fixing the locking holder94on the movable stem92, the movable stem92has a plurality of pores923formed thereof so as to insert the fix knob95.

Thereby, the base1is moved and fixed on the extension841of the fixed pedestal84, the plurality of openings911of the column91are served to adjust the movable stem92at a suitable height of the column91, and the two handle loops93are moved on the horizontal rod41by means of the locking holder94and are fixed in two of the plurality of pores923so as to adjust a distance between the two handle loops93.