Abstract:
A device for allowing a person to perform one or more leg stretch exercises. In one embodiment, the device comprises first and second bracket members. Each of the first and second bracket members comprise first and second support members and an upper support member. The upper support member of said first bracket member is connected to the first and second support members of the first bracket member. The upper support member of the second bracket member is connected to the first and second support members of the second bracket members. The upper support member of the first bracket member is engageable with the upper support member of the second bracket member to a use position where the first bracket member is substantially perpendicular to the second bracket member. First and second leg support members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the first bracket member to support the leg of the person. Third and fourth leg support members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the second bracket member to support the leg of the person. First and second handle members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the first bracket member, respectively, to provide a structure for the person&#39;s hand to grasp and/or hold. Third and fourth handle members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the second bracket member, respectively, to provide a structure for the person&#39;s hand to grasp and/or hold.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application of and claims priority to application Ser. No. 09/391,645, filed Sep. 7, 1999 now, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,448 which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 08/906,667, filed on Aug. 7, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,451, which claims benefit to provisional application Ser. No. 60/022,447 filed on Aug. 7, 1996. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to field of exercise equipment. 
     Stretching of the major leg muscles such as the quadriceps, inner thighs, and calves are important for many reasons. Stretching of such muscles increases flexibility and reduces the risk of injury during strenuous use of the muscles, incurred, for example, while playing sports or lifting weights. Conventional stretching devices do not allow a person to stretch all of the major muscles on a single device that can be used by a person in an easy, comfortable, and efficient manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A device for allowing a person to perform one or more leg stretch exercises. In one embodiment, the device comprises first and second bracket members. Each of the first and second bracket members comprise first and second support members and an upper support member. The upper support member of said first bracket member is connected to the first and second support members of the first bracket member. The upper support member of the second bracket member is connected to the first and second support members of the second bracket members. The upper support member of the first bracket member is engageable with the upper support member of the second bracket member to a use position where the first bracket member is substantially perpendicular to the second bracket member. First and second leg support members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the first bracket member to support the leg of the person. Third and fourth leg support members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the second bracket member to support the leg of the person. First and second handle members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the first bracket member, respectively, to provide a structure for the person&#39;s hand to grasp and/or hold. Third and fourth handle members are removably engaged with the first and second support members of the second bracket member, respectively, to provide a structure for the person&#39;s hand to grasp and/or hold. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following detailed description of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a first embodiment of the stretching device; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base member; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base member; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base member; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention engaged with a secondary piece of exercise equipment such as a tread mill; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adjustable handle support; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adjustable foot support; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a leg support; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base support; 
     FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a second embodiment of the stretching device; 
     FIG. 11 is partial top view of the second embodiment of the stretching device; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fixed foot support; 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a third embodiment of the stretching device; 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 are elevation views of the angle brackets of the third embodiment; and 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 are various views showing a person performing various exercises in connection with the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 19 and 20 are color copies of photographs of additional embodiments of the stretching device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1 wherein a first embodiment of the leg stretching device  12  is shown disposed on a support surface or floor  10 . The first embodiment of the leg stretching device  12  is intended for use by a single person. The first embodiment of the stretching device  10  generally comprises a support member  14  which is vertically supported on the floor  12  by a base member  22 , a plurality of leg support members  72 , a plurality of handle members  56 , a and a for support member  86 . 
     The support member  14  comprises a first end portion  16  and a second end portion  18 , and a plurality of spaced mounting holes  24 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the base member  22  comprises a first leg  24 , a second leg  26  a third leg  28  and a mounting bracket  30  integrally formed into a tripod configuration. Each of the legs  24 ,  26 , and  28  have a first and portion  29  connected to the mounting bracket  30  and a second end portion  31  which is contact with the floor  10 . The base member  22  may be takes a variety of forms and configurations. By way of example only, FIG. 2 shows the base member  22  in the form of a circular shaped housing  31  having a bottom surface  32  a top surface  34  and a mounting bracket  30 . FIG. 3 shows the base member  22  in the form of a U-shaped housing  37  having a vertical support member  38 , a mounting bracket  40 , a first leg portion  42  and a second leg portion  44 . FIG. 4 shows the base member  22  in the form a T-shaped housing  45  having a vertical support member  46 , a mounting bracket  48 , a first leg portion  50 , a second leg portion  52 , and a third leg portion  54 . In this embodiment, the base member  22  allows the stretching device  10  to be attached to a secondary exercise apparatus  55  such as tread mill by attaching the third leg  54  to a platform or mounting bracket  57  of the secondary exercise apparatus  55 . 
     The handle members  56  comprises a rigid support or extension member  58  having a first end securely connected by conventional means to the first end portion  16  of the support member  14 . The handle members  56  each further comprise a handle portion  60  preferably of a comfortable polymer material which disposed about the opposite end of the rigid support of extension member  58 . Handle members  56  are adapted to be easily and comfortable grasped by the person. The handle members  56  may take a variety of forms and configurations. By way of example only, and although show in FIG. 1 as being fixed to the support member  14 , the handle member  56  s shown in FIG. 6 may be adjustable mounted at various portion of the support member  14 . In this embodiment, the handle member  56  comprises a bracket member  62 , a rigid support  64 , a handle portion  66 , mounting openings  68  and a pin  70 . The handle member  56  is adjustable selected at various positions along the support member  14  by passing pin  70  through mounting openings  68  and through any one of the mounting openings  20  of the support member  14 . With this embodiment, the user may selected a comfortable height for the handle members  56 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the foot support member  86  generally comprises a first end portion  88 , a second end portion  90 , and a foot mounting portion  89 . The first and second end portions  88  and  90  are attached to and spans across legs  26  and  24  of the base member  22 , respectively. The leg support member  86  is adapted to support the weight of a person using the stretching device  10 .The handle members  56  may take a variety of forms and configurations. By way of example only, and although show in FIG. 1 as being fixed to the base member  22 , the foot support member  86  as shown in FIG. 7 may be adjustable mounted at various portions along the support member  14 . In this embodiment, the foot support member  86  comprises a bracket member  92 , a mounting openings  94 , a pin  96 , a extension portion  98  and a foot mounting portion  100 . The foot support member  86  is adjustable selected at various positions along the support member  14  by passing pin  96  through mounting openings  94  and through any one of the mounting openings  20  of the support member  14 . With this embodiment, the user may selected a comfortable height for the foot support member  86 . 
     Each of leg support members  72  may be selectively position along the vertical height of the support member  14  at any one of the openings  20 . Each of the leg support members  72  generally comprise a collar or bracket portion  72  encircling the support member  14 , an arm or extension portion  76  connected securely to and extending outward from the bracket  72 , and a leg support portion  78  connected securely to and extending outward from the extension portion  76 . Each of the leg support portion  78  are preferably of arcuate shape opening upwardly open such that a persons leg may be securely supported therein. Each of the leg support portions  78  are preferably provided with pad or cushion material  83  for comfort. Each of the leg supports  78  may be secured at a selected position along the support member  14  by use of a pin  74  which is passed through openings  75  in the bracket  73  and one of selected mounting holes  20 . 
     The leg support member  72  may take a variety of forms and configurations. By way of example only, the leg support member  72  may comprise a one or mor retention members  80  which are adapted to prevent the leg support member  72  on the support member  14  while the user removes to the pin  74  top re-position the leg support member and to allow the leg support member  72  to easily roll or slide along the support member  14 . The retention member  80  is preferably of a cylindrical hollow shape and is freely mounted to the bracket  73  by conventional means such as a bolt  82  passing through the internal cylindrical cavity of the retention member  80  and being secured by nut  84 . With the is design, the retention member  80  is free to rotate as the leg support member  72  is moved along the support member  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the stretching device  10  of the first embodiment may further comprise a base support member  102  securely engageable with the legs  24 ,  26 , and  28  of the base member  22  to thereby provide increased stability for the stretching device  10  during use. Each of the base support members  102  comprise a bottom surface  104 , a top surface  106  and a mounting bracket  108  extending upward from the top surface  106  and adapted to securely receive the second end portions  31  of legs  24 ,  26 , and  28 . Second end portions  31  of the legs  24 .  26 , and  28  and mounting bracket  108  may be mutually designed such that the second end portions  31  of legs  24 ,  26 , and  28  encase the outer surface  11  of the mounting bracket member  108  or such that the second end portions  31  of legs  24 ,  26 , and  28  slide within a channel recess  110  formed within the mounting bracket  108 . The bottom surface  104  is preferably substantially planar to provide a stable support on the floor  10 . Each of the base supports  102  may further comprise a mounting hole  112  which is adapted to allow a fastener such as a bolt or screw to secure the base support  102  to the floor  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, wherein a second embodiment of the stretching device  10  is shown having a three (3) support members  114 , 116 , and  118 . Each of the support members  114 ,  116 , and  118  have a upper end portion  120  and a lower end portion  122  and a plurality of mounting holes disposed along the support member  114 ,  116 , and  118 . In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the upper end portions  120  of support member  114 ,  116  and  118  are securely connected together to provide a non-collapsible structure. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the stretching device may further comprise three (3) foot support members  126  (only one is shown) having an upper mounting portion  130  and first and second end portions  132  and  134 . Each of the first and second end portions  132  and  134  are connected securely and fixed to the lower end portions  122  of support members  114  and  116 , support members  116  and  118  (not shown), and support members  118  and  114  (not shown). The foot support is adapted to allow the user to support his weight and to provide additional stability to the support members  114 ,  116 , and  118 . 
     The stretching device  12  of the second embodiment (FIG. 10) may be designed in a variety of ways. By way of example only, the stretching device  12  may be designed such that the user can easily fold or collapse the stretching device  12  for storage and unfold or extend the stretching device  12  when use is desired. As shown in FIG. 11, the stretching device  10  may further comprise a fixed mounting bracket  140  having a central housing portion  142  and three (3) bracket members  144  extending outward therefrom. The upper end portions  120  of support members  114 ,  116 , and  118  are rotatably connected to the bracket member  144  from an inward or storage position (not shown) to an outward or use position (FIG.  10 ). As shown in FIG. 11, the foot support member  126  may alternatively be removably attached to the support members  114  and  166 . In this embodiment, the foot support member  126  further comprises engagement members or protrusions  136  and  138  extending downward from the first and second end portions  132  and  134 , respectively. The engagement members  136  and  138  are adapted to removably and securely engagement with mounting brackets  139  provided at the lower portion  122  and on both sides of the support members  114 ,  116 , and  118  (mounting bracket  139  is shown on only one side of support members  114 ,  116 , and  118 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 13-16, wherein a third embodiment of the stretching device  12  is shown. In this embodiment, the stretching device  12  generally comprises first and second angle brackets  146  and  180  which when connected together form the basic structure of the stretching device  12 . As in the other embodiments, the stretching device  12  also comprises handle members  58  and leg support members  72 , and foot support members  126 . 
     The first angle bracket  146  generally comprises a first support member  148 , a second support member  158 , an upper support bracket  168  and a lower support bracket  174 . The first support member  148  generally comprises an upper end portion  150 , a lower end portion  152 , a plurality of mounting holes  154  disposed along the support member  148 , and a mounting bracket  156  (only one shown) disposed on both sides of the lower end portion  152  of the first support member  148 . The second support member  158  generally comprises an upper end portion  160 , a lower end portion  162 , a plurality of mounting holes  164  disposed along the support member  158 , and a mounting bracket  166  (only one shown) disposed on both sides of the lower end portion  152  of the first support member  158 . The upper support bracket  168  generally comprises a first end portion  170  and a second end portion  172 . The end portion  170  is securely connected by conventional means (such as welding) to the upper end portion  160  of the support member  160 , while the second end portion  172  is connected by conventional means (such as welding) to the upper end portion  150  of the support member  148 . The upper support bracket  168  comprises a through hole  169  which as will be hereinafter describe dis used to connect angle brackets  146  and  180 . The lower support bracket  174  generally comprises a first end portion  176  and a second end portion  178 . The end portion  176  is securely connected by conventional means (such as welding) to the lower end portion  162  of the support member  160 , while the second end portion  178  is connected by conventional means (such as welding) to the lower end portion  152  of the support member  148 . The lower support bracket  174  comprises a through hole  175  which as will be hereinafter describe dis used to connect angle brackets  146  and  180 . 
     The second angle bracket  180  generally comprises a first support member  182 , a second support member  200 , an upper support bracket  210  and a lower support bracket  216 . The first support member  182  generally comprises an upper end portion  184 , a lower end portion  186 , a plurality of mounting holes  188  disposed along the support member  182 , and a mounting bracket  190  (only one shown) disposed on both sides of the lower end portion  186  of the first support member  182 . The second support member  200  generally comprises an upper end portion  202 , a lower end portion  204 , a plurality of mounting holes  206  disposed along the support member  200 , and a mounting bracket  208  (only one shown) disposed on both sides of the lower end portion  204  of the support member  200 . The upper support bracket  210  generally comprises a first end portion  212  and a second end portion  214 . The end portion  212  is removebaly connected by conventional means (such as bolts and nuts) to the upper end portion  202  of the support member  200 , while the second end portion  214  is removeably connected by conventional means (such as nuts and bolts) to the upper end portion  184  of the support member  182 . The upper support bracket  210  comprises a through hole  211  which as will be hereinafter describe dis used to connect angle brackets  146  and  180 . The lower support bracket  216  generally comprises a first end portion  218  and a second end portion  220 . The end portion  216  is securely connected by conventional means (such as welding) to the lower end portion  204  of the support member  200 , while the second end portion  220  is connected by conventional means (such as welding) to the lower end portion  186  of the support member  182 . The lower support bracket  216  comprises a through hole  217  which as will be hereinafter describe dis used to connect angle brackets  146  and  180 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, four (4) foot support members  126  (FIG. 12) are used to removably attached and secure the first angle bracket  146  and the second angle bracket  180  to provide a stable structure as well as to provide a mounting portion for the foot of the user. 
     A first foot support member  126  removeably connects the lower end portion  162  of support member  158  of angle bracket  146  to the lower end portion  204  of support member  200  of angle bracket  180  by engagement members  136  and  138  be engaged with the mounting brackets  167  of support member  158  and mounting bracket  191  of support member  182 , respectively. 
     A second foot support member  126  removeably connects the lower end portion  162  of support member  158  of angle bracket  146  to the lower end portion  186  of support member  182  of angle bracket  180  by engagement members  136  and  138  be engaged with the mounting brackets  190  of support member  182  and mounting bracket  157  of support member  148 , respectively. 
     A third foot support member  126  removeably connects the lower end portion  186  of support member  182  of angle bracket  180  to the lower end portion  152  of support member  148  of angle bracket  148  by engagement members  136  and  138  be engaged with the mounting brackets  156  of support member  148  and mounting bracket  208  of support member  180 , respectively. 
     A fourth support member  126  removeably connects the lower end portion  152  of support member  14  of angle bracket  146  to the lower end portion  204  of support member  200  of angle bracket  180  by engagement members  136  and  138  be engaged with the mounting brackets  209  of support member  180  and mounting bracket  166  of support member  158 , respectively. 
     To assemble the stretching device  10  of the third embodiment (FIGS.  13 - 16 ), the upper support bracket  210  is removed from the second angle bracket  180 . Thereafter, the second angle bracket  180  is inserted into the first angle bracket  146  such the lower mounting bracket  216  and disposed above and in contact with the lower mounting bracket  174  of the first angle bracket  146 . Thereafter, a bolt (not shown) is passed through openings  175  and  217  of lower support brackets  174  and  216 , respectively, to thereby partially secure the first angle bracket  146  to the second angle bracket  180 . Thereafter, the upper support bracket  210  of the second angle bracket  180  is re-installed to the support members  182  and  200  whereby the upper support bracket  210  disposed above and in contact with the upper mounting bracket  168  of the first angle bracket  146 . Thereafter, a bolt (not shown) is passed through openings  169  and  211  of upper support brackets  168  and  210 , respectively, to thereby secure the first angle bracket  146  to the second angle bracket  180 : Thereafter, connect of the four foot support members  126  as previously described will provide for a secure and stable structure. 
     With general reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, a person may stretch various muscles of the leg using any one of the embodiments of the stretching device  12  heretofore described. In use of any of the various embodiments of the stretching device  12 , the person may adjust the leg support  72  and/or the hand support  58  (if adjustable version is provided) to a desired height above the floor  12 . As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a person may perform multiple leg stretching exercises and multiple upper body stretching exercises. While the first embodiment of stretching device  12  (FIG. 1) is intended for a single person, the stretching device  12  of the second embodiment (FIG. 10) and of the third embodiment (FIGS. 13 and 14) enables several people to exercise simultaneously. 
     Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, wherein another embodiment of the stretching device  10  is shown comprising a first support member  250 , a second support member  252 , a third support member  254 , and a fourth support member  256 . Each of the first, second, third and fourth support members  250 ,  252 ,  254 , and  256  further comprise first and second mounting portions  258  and  260 . Each of the first, second, third, and fourth support members  250 ,  252 ,  254 , and  256  further comprise a leg support member  262  moveable by the person from the first mounting portion  258  to the second mounting portion  260 . The first support member  250  is engaged to the second support member  252 . The second support member  252  is engaged to the third support member  254 . The third support member  254  is engaged to the fourth support member  256 . The fourth support member  256  is engaged to the first support member  250 . 
     The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes of illustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Modifications and variations still falling within the spirit or the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.