Portable and adjustable stretching device

The invention is directed to an exercise apparatus for use in stretching. The exercise apparatus includes a compact construction that is mechanically easy to operate and allows users to gently stretch, without assistance from others. The exercise apparatus includes a tubular member and a shaft member that is sized to slidably insert into the tubular member to form a telescoping structure that extends in a longitudinal direction. A base is provided having a substantially planar shape that includes an upper surface adapted to receive a force applied in a downward direction. The force is provided to supplement an initial force received through the connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to stretching and muscle lengthening devices. More specifically, the invention relates to portable stretching and muscle lengthening devices that are configured to isolate various muscle groups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As people age, ligaments, tendons and muscles lose flexibility. A sedentary lifestyle and/or lack of exercise may accelerate this loss of flexibility and increases one's chances of injury. Injuries may include cramped muscles, circulation problems, aches and pains. An area of particular sensitivity and discomfort is one's back. Studies have found that poor spinal health is a common contributor to overall pain and discomfort.

Stretching has proven to be effective in returning flexibility to stiffened ligaments, tendons and muscles. As one ages, one's ability to stretch decreases and there become fewer exercises one can perform alone to obtain maximum stretching of ligaments, tendons and muscles in the back. At this point, stretching aides become necessary. While one may hire a personal trainer or rely on a partner to assist with back stretching exercises, this arrangement becomes challenging and expensive, especially for individuals that travel. Alternatively, known stretching devices may be employed to perform back stretching exercises.

While known stationary back stretching machines may be effective, they are bulky. These stationary devices have limited appeal to individuals that reside in confined spaces that do not accommodate fitness equipment. Known portable back stretching devices do not enable users to stretch a wide variety of muscle groups in the back region or provide limited support and are unsafe. For example, known portable back stretching devices target only limited areas of the back, such as the lumbar region. Other portable stretching devices are severe in their traction effect, rendering them uncomfortable or even painful to use. Further still, some known stationary and portable back stretching machines and devices are complicated and require sophisticated technical expertise.

Therefore, what is needed is a portable stretching device that is easy to use, occupies limited space and allows users to target a variety of body regions for stretching, including the back, shoulders, arms, neck, legs and hips. In particular, what is needed is a portable stretching device that stretches all major sections of the back, including the upper, middle, and lower back. Furthermore, what is needed is a portable stretching device that enables users to gently stretch without assistance from others. Still further, what is needed is a portable stretching device that allows users to perform simple stretching motions while applying minimal technical expertise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention advantageously provides a portable exercise apparatus having a compact construction that is mechanically easy to operate and allows users to target a variety of body regions for stretching, including the back, shoulders, arms, neck, legs and hips. The exercise apparatus allows users to isolate major sections of the back for stretching, including the upper, middle, and lower back. The exercise device allows users to gently stretch, without assistance from others, and to perform simple stretching motions while applying minimal technical expertise.

According to one embodiment, an exercise apparatus is provided for use in stretching. The exercise apparatus includes a tubular member having a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior, the second end being opposite the first end. A shaft member is sized to slidably insert into the tubular member at the first end, the shaft member and the tubular member defining a telescoping structure that extends in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of apertures is provided in the shaft member along the longitudinal direction. A projection located at the tubular structure is provided to engage one of the plurality of apertures and to maintain a relative position between the tubular member and the shaft member. A bracket is coupled to a top surface of the shaft member and a handle is coupled to the bracket. The handle is configured to form an angle with respect to the shaft member. A connector is coupled to the second end of the tubular member and a base is coupled to the connector. The base has a substantially planar shape that includes an upper surface that is adapted to receive a force in a downward direction, the force supplementing an initial downward force received through the connector. According to another embodiment, a connector is provided having a three-dimensional range of movement. According to yet another embodiment, a detachable connector is provided having a three-dimensional range of movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description discloses the presently contemplated best modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles for embodiments of the invention. Additionally, unless mention is made herein to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings herein, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims

Back pain may originate from several factors including, for example, decreased elasticity or tightness in the back's muscles, ligaments and tendons, among other factors. The spinal column and its contiguous muscles, ligaments, and tendons are all designed to move freely. Any limitations in the motion of these elements may lead to back pain. The invention provides an apparatus for gently stretching the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back to relieve strain on the spine and reduce pain caused by tightness in the region of the back.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to an apparatus for stretching and strengthening body regions, including the back, shoulders, arms, neck, trunk, legs and hips, among other body regions. The stretching apparatus is configured and designed for use in a standing or sitting position. For example, users may select standing or sitting positions to obtain different stretching depths, among providing other differences.

According to one embodiment, users may perform omni-directional stretching by using the apparatus while situated in various positions, including a standing position, a seated position with legs bent and a seated position with legs extended, among other positions. Advantageously, the stretching apparatus provides users with multiple degrees of freedom for stretching and strengthening body regions. For example, the stretching apparatus enables users to stretch in forward, backward and sideway directions while permitting users to perform unrestricted twisting motions. According to one embodiment, the stretching apparatus extends a user's stretching range by pushing out a user's tipping point. The stretching apparatus increases a user's stretching range by providing resistance through the user's tipping point resistance. In other words, the exercise apparatus provides a counterbalance effect. Over time, the stretching apparatus continues to extend a user's stretching range as the user's tipping point adjusts.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the stretching apparatus100includes a tubular member102, a shaft member110, a plurality of apertures120provided in the shaft member110, a projection located at the tubular structure (see element426inFIG. 4), a bracket132, a handle134coupled to the bracket132, a connector150coupled to the second end106of the tubular member102and a base142coupled to the connector150. WhileFIGS. 1 and 2illustrate two telescoping members102and110, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that three or more telescoping members may be used without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, three or more telescoping members may be used to reduce the size of the stretching apparatus during storage, among providing other benefits.

Together, the tubular member102(or outer column) and the shaft member110(or inner column), form an elongated telescoping structure that extends, or is adjustable, in a longitudinal direction. The shaft member110slides within the tubular member102and telescopes in a longitudinal direction to create a combined desired height during use or a combined minimal height for storage. For example, during use in a standing position, the stretching apparatus100may be adjusted to elbow height, among other heights. While seated, the stretching apparatus100may be adjusted to shoulder height, among other heights. Additionally, the stretching apparatus100may be adjusted to a desired height based on a user's height and/or preference. It will be readily appreciated that the stretching apparatus100may be adjusted to a desired height based up on a user's preference.

According to one embodiment, the shaft member110is configured to slide within the tubular member102. Alternatively, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the stretching apparatus100may be designed so that the tubular member102is configured to slide within the shaft member110without departing from the principles of the invention.

Returning toFIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular member102includes a hollow interior103for receiving a leading end114of the shaft member110. The leading end114of the shaft member110may be inserted into the hollow interior103of the tubular member102through open first end104. The tubular member102includes a second end106that is opposite to the first end104. The second end106of the tubular member may be configured to abut the leading end114. Once a desired height is selected, a locking mechanism130may be employed to maintain this desired height. For example, the stretching apparatus100may be adjusted to a height of 44 inches or more during use. The locking mechanism130may be positioned at the first end104of the tubular member102to maintain a relative position between the tubular member102and the shaft member110. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the locking mechanism130may be positioned at other locations on the tubular member102and the shaft member110.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the locking mechanism130may include a projection426that engages one of the apertures120provided along the longitudinal direction of the shaft member110. The locking mechanism130may include a button122that is biased by spring424. When the button122is pressed, the projection426is configured to pivot about pin423, thereby extracting the projection from a corresponding aperture120. Upon removal of projection426from the corresponding aperture120, the tubular member102and the shaft member110are free to slide relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. When a desired height is selected, the button122may be released causing the projection426to contact an outer surface of the shaft member110until the projection426engages the appropriate aperture120. When the projection426is received by the appropriate aperture120, the tubular member102and the shaft member110are locked in the longitudinal direction relative to each other. In this configuration, the tubular member102and the shaft member110do not rotate relative to each other. This process may be repeated to again select a desired height. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other locking mechanisms may be used. For example, an alternative locking mechanism may be provided to permit the shaft member110to rotate inside of the tubular member102while maintaining a desired height between the shaft member110and the tubular member102.

According to one embodiment, the tubular member102, the shaft member110and the locking mechanism30, including the projection426, may be made from any sturdy material, including for example wood, metal, plastic, or a combination thereof, among other sturdy materials. Lightweight materials are desirable. While the tubular member102, the shaft member110and the projection426are illustrated to include circular cross-sectional shapes, one of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the tubular member102, the shaft member110and the projection426may be formed to include any desired cross-sectional shape, including for example circular, oval, polygonal, X-shaped, U-shaped, among other cross-sectional shapes. According to one embodiment, the tubular member102and the shaft member110may be dimensioned to be 30 inches or more in length, for example. Smaller dimensions may be used. Furthermore, the tubular member102and the shaft member110may include a diameter of 2 inches or more. Smaller dimensions may be used. For example, shaft member110may be dimensioned to be 32 inches in length and may have an outer diameter measuring 3⅜ inches. Smaller or larger dimensions may be used. The tubular member102may be dimensioned to be 31 inches in length and may have an inner diameter measuring 3½ inches, for example. Smaller or larger dimensions may be used. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other dimensions may be used.

The stretching apparatus100may include a bracket132that is secured to a top surface112of the shaft member110. The bracket132may be fixedly secured to the shaft member110using one or more of a plurality of securing techniques, including welding or adhesive, among other securing techniques. Alternatively, the bracket132may be removably secured to the shaft member110using one or more of a plurality of securing techniques, including using screws, bolts or pins, among other securing techniques. A combination of securing techniques also may be employed.

The bracket132may include securing mechanisms133that pivotally couple handles134to each side of the bracket132. For example, the securing mechanisms may include pins or bolts, among other securing mechanisms. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other handle configurations may be used.

According to one embodiment, the handles134may be positioned to form an angle with respect to the shaft member110. During use, the handles134may be positioned to form a substantially right angle with respect to the shaft member110. Alternatively, during use, the handles134may be positioned to form acute angles with respect to the shaft member110. To minimize use of space during non-use, the handles134may be positioned to be substantially parallel with respect to the shaft member110. The handles134may include apertures (not shown) that receive the securing mechanisms133and a locking structure (not shown) to maintain a handle position relative to the shaft member110. According to one embodiment, the shaft member110may be configured to structurally support to the handles134.

FIGS. 1,2and6illustrate that the handles134may be shaped as a long, thin cylindrical handles having a circular cross section. One of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the handles134may be formed to include any desired cross-sectional shape, including for example circular, oval, polygonal, among other cross-sectional shapes. According to one embodiment, the handles134may be dimensioned to be 36 inches or more in length, for example. Smaller dimensions may be used. Furthermore, the handles134may include a diameter of 2 inches or more. Smaller dimensions may be used. For example, the handles134may be dimensioned to be 15 inches in length and may have an outer diameter measuring 1¼ inches. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that smaller or larger dimensions may be used.

The handles134may be configured to include a plurality of sections for gripping. For example, the handles may include three gripping sections A, B and C that allow for at least three different gripping positions. Section A may provide a wide gripping position, section B may provide an intermediate gripping position and section C may provide a tight gripping position. The various gripping sections may be used to target stretching of different regions of the body, including back, shoulders, arms, neck, trunk, legs and hips, among other body regions. In other words, users may grip the handles134at different distances relative to the bracket132to isolate different regions of the body, including different muscle groups.

The handles134may be constructed from any sturdy materials, including for example wood, metal, plastic, or a combination thereof, among other sturdy materials. Lightweight materials are desirable. The handles134may be covered with soft padding materials, including for example foam, rubber, plastic, gel, fluid, cloth, soft textile, synthetic material, among other padding materials. The covering may be shaped for comfort and may include various configurations that are comfortable to grip. According to one embodiment, the covering may extend over an entire length of the handles134. Alternatively, the covering may extend over less than the entire length of the handles134. Further, the covering may have a different grip shapes for left hands and right hands.

The stretching apparatus100may include a base142that is coupled to the second end106of the tubular member102through a connector150. The base142is provided support the stretching apparatus100while vertically oriented. The base142may be coupled to a plurality of pedals140having a substantially planar shape. Alternatively, the base142may be coupled to a pedal having a single structure, such as a disc, rectangle, square or other single structure. The pedals140may be formed from a sturdy material, including for example wood, metal, plastic, hard rubber or a combination thereof, among other materials. The pedals140may be coated with a tacky material to resist slipping, including for example rubber or gritty paper, among other materials. The pedals140may be formed in a rectilinear shape, curvilinear shape, disc shape or U-shape, among other shapes, to permit users to step or sit upon the pedals140. According to one embodiment, the pedals140may be sized to accommodate an average sized human foot. For example, the pedals140may be dimensioned to be of 5 inches by 7 inches. Smaller or larger dimensions may be used. According to a one embodiment, the span of a base142and pedals140are configured to be smaller than the span of the handles134. The pedals140may be coupled to the base142using hinges144. The hinges144permit the pedals140to fold up for easy storage during non-use. Alternatively, the pedal140may be non-hinged and thus not capable of folding.

The pedals140include an upper surface143having grooves that provide a friction pattern. The pedals140are sized to enable users to apply weight thereon, including by stepping, sitting or otherwise depressing the pedals140. The weight applied on the pedals140generates a force in a downward direction that supplements an initial downward force transferred to the base142through the handles134, the telescoping members102,110and the connector150. The weight that is applied to the pedals140by stepping, sitting, or otherwise depressing the pedals140causes a bottom surface147of the pedals140to frictionally grip an underlying surface or foundation beneath the stretching apparatus100. In other words, the supplemental force applied in the downward direction to the pedals140prevents the stretching apparatus100from slipping when the stretching apparatus100is subjected to lateral forces during use. Additionally, if the user loses her balance during use and steps off the pedals and away from the device, the supplemental force applied to the pedals140will be alleviated and the stretching apparatus100will be permitted to safely fall, preventing injury to the user.

According to one embodiment, the pedals140may form a substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the tubular member102. Alternatively, the pedals140may rest flat on an underlying surface or foundation and may form an acute or obtuse angle with respect to the tubular member102.

The connector150is provided to couple the base142to the second end106of the tubular member102. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the connector150may include a ball502and socket504structure. The ball502and socket504structure may include a securing clip506and spring508. The ball502may be secured to a support510through a shaft512. The shaft512may be threaded and screwed into the support510. Alternatively, other securing techniques may be used to fixedly secure the ball502to the support510. The ball502and socket504structure enables users to perform omni-directional stretching using the stretching apparatus100. In other words, the ball502and socket504structure provide the stretching apparatus100with multiple degrees of freedom for stretching and strengthening a plurality of body regions. The ball502and socket504structure allows the tubular member102, the shaft member110and the handles134to rotate and tilt freely relative to an axis passing orthogonally through the base142.

The connector150allows the stretching apparatus100to pivot in three dimensions by tilting forward, backward, and sideways. The stretching apparatus is designed to form various angles relative to a longitudinal axis defined perpendicular to the base142positioned on the ground. The connector150further permits the stretching apparatus to rotate 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis defined perpendicular to the base142. The connector150allows the pedals140to remain stationary while the tubular member102, the shaft member110and the handles134move, pivot and rotate in three dimensional space. The connector150is configured to allow the tubular member102and the shaft member110to rotate and move freely relative to a longitudinal axis defined perpendicular to the base142.

According to another embodiment, the connector150may include a detachable connector. For example, the connector150may include a detachable ball and socket structure. The base142having the socket504may be permanently or detachably affixed to a surface, including planar or convex surface, among other surfaces. The surface may include a recess, or concave portion, for receiving the base142and socket504. Alternatively, the surface may include a convex portion for receiving the base142and socket504. The exercise apparatus100having the affixed ball structure502may be detachably coupled to the socket504in the base142during use. However, during non-use, the exercise apparatus100having the ball502may be released from the base142and socket504and stored separately. One of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the base142may be configured to receive the ball502and the exercise apparatus may be configured to receive the socket504. Alternatively, one of ordinary skill will readily appreciate other detachable structures may be used.

According to another embodiment, the stretching apparatus100may rest upon a blunt end cap (not shown) that is affixed to the second end106of the tubular member102. The blunt end cap may be configured to resist slipping and may be made from tacky materials, including for example rubber or coated wood, metal, plastic, or a combination thereof, among other materials. The blunt end cap may be configured to allow the device to rotate and/or tilt along a longitudinal axis defined by the tubular member102and the shaft member110.

FIG. 7illustrates an alternate embodiment of the stretching apparatus100having a hinged connector701. The hinged connector701may include a support structure702anchored to the base142. A shaft is positioned within the support structure702and receives a pivot pin704. The hinged connector701is configured to pivot 180 degrees about a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the base142. Additionally, the hinged connector701may be configured to rotate 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the base142. The hinged connector701enables the stretching apparatus100to tilt in forward and backward directions while rotating. The hinged connector701does not facilitate movement of the stretching apparatus100in the sideways directions.

FIGS. 8 to 12illustrate exemplary embodiments of the stretching apparatus100in use.FIG. 8illustrates preparing the stretching apparatus100for use. With the stretching apparatus100adjusted to a desired height, the pedals are placed flat on the ground and the user's feet are placed over the pedals. The handles are positioned parallel to the ground and the exercise apparatus100is positioned perpendicular to the ground.

FIG. 9illustrates a user grasping the stretching apparatus100in a standing position while leaning in a forward direction and extending their arms accordingly. The stretch position may be held for approximately 30 seconds at a time and may be repeated approximately 3-5 times or more per set. Fewer repetitions may be used.

FIG. 10illustrates an alternative embodiment with the user grasping the stretching apparatus100in a sitting position with legs bent while leaning in a forward direction and extending their arms accordingly. The user steps on the pedals and extends their arms in a forward direction. The stretch position may be held for approximately 30 seconds at a time and may be repeated approximately 3-5 times or more per set. Fewer repetitions may be used.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the stretching apparatus100may be adapted to perform lateral, trunk and abdominal stretching. A user may orient the stretching apparatus100to one side and may step on one pedal140. The user may push the stretching apparatus100away from their body in a sideways direction using different hand positions to isolate different muscle groups.

Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the stretching apparatus100may be placed behind a user. In this position, the user may place their heels on the pedals140. The user may extend their arms behind and away from their body to engage in an abdominal, arm, and shoulder stretches.