Patent Publication Number: US-9421412-B2

Title: Back stretching machine

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/466,603 filed May 8, 2012. This application is also a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/235,183, filed Sep. 11, 2011. Both U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/466,603 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/235,183 are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates generally to back stretching machines. 
     II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Back stretching machines have been introduced to help a person stretch their back, typically focused on the lower back, to alleviate pain and provide therapy. As understood herein, many such machines suffer from the drawback of imposing a one-size-fits-all stretching regime on users. For example, inclined or vertical boards on which a person hangs to allow gravity to pull the upper body down away from the elevated lower back places the entire weight of the upper body at the stretching point, and moreover can deleteriously cause higher blood pressure in the person&#39;s head. Moreover, a person typically must accept that the stretching force is imposed straight along the spine, when a person&#39;s particular back malady may be better treated by allowing the person to establish the force off-axis from the spine and to vary both the magnitude and direction of the stretching force. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a back stretching apparatus includes a foot bar assembly configured for being stationarily mounted as described herein. The foot bar assembly defines left and right rigid foot surfaces spaced laterally from each other such that a person lying supine can place his left and right feet respectively against the left and right rigid foot surfaces. The apparatus also includes elongated left and right elastic members that each have respective foot ends attachable to the foot bar assembly respectively at or adjacent to the left and right foot surfaces. Furthermore, the left and right elastic members each define a respective waist end opposite the respective foot end. Each of the left and right elastic members are materially biased to a short configuration in which the elastic member defines a first length, and are stretchable to an elongated configuration in which the elastic member defines a second length longer than the first length. In addition, the apparatus includes a waist belt connectable to the respective waist ends of left and right elastic members at left and right locations on the waist belt. The waist belt is configured for snug placement around the waist of a person such that a person wearing the waist belt around his waist and lying supine with the left and right elastic members interconnecting the waist belt and the foot bar assembly can place his left and right feet against the left and right foot surfaces, respectively, and push his feet against the left and right foot surfaces to urge the elastic members toward the second configuration to thereby place a stretching force on the person&#39;s lower back. 
     If desired, the elastic members may include a respective foot eyelet engaged with the foot end of each elastic member and a respective waist eyelet engaged with the waist end of each elastic member. Thus, the left and right foot eyelets may be respectively arranged on the foot bar assembly. Additionally, the left and right foot eyelets of the elastic members may be engageable with respective foot eyelets of the foot bar assembly using respective left and right foot connectors. 
     Furthermore, left and right belt eyelets may be arranged on the waist belt at substantially diametrically opposed portions of the waist belt, and the waist eyelets of the elastic members may thus be engageable with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt. Even further, if desired the waist eyelets of the elastic members may be engaged with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt using respective left and right belt connectors, which may be S-shaped in some embodiments. 
     Moreover, if desired the foot bar assembly may include a horizontal foot bar connectable to opposed door jambs. Even further, a padded surface may be used by the person to lie supine thereon and push against the horizontal foot bar between the door jambs. 
     Also, in some embodiments the foot bar assembly may be comprised of first and second bars slidably engageable with each other to at least partially stationarily mount the foot bar assembly (e.g., between opposed door jambs). The first bar may at least partially define the left rigid foot surface and the second bar may at least partially define the right rigid foot surface. Furthermore, a materially biased element may engage respective portions of the first and second bars such that the materially biased element exerts lateral (e.g., outward) force toward respective first ends of the first and second bars, where the first ends of the first and second bars are opposite respective second ends of the first and second bars that are slideably engageable with each other. Thus, the first ends may be engageable with opposed door jambs under material bias. 
     In another aspect, a method includes instructing a person to lie supine on a substantially horizontally-oriented surface with at least one foot positioned against a foot bar assembly above the surface. The method then includes instructing the person to don a waist belt positioned around the person&#39;s waist, and instructing the person to connect respective first ends of left and right elastic members to respective left and right portions of the foot bar assembly. In addition, the method includes instructing the person to connect left and right segments of the waist belt to respective second ends of the left and right elastic members. Thereafter, the method includes instructing the person to push his feet against the foot bar assembly to thereby push his head away from the foot bar assembly to provide a force on the person&#39;s back. 
     In still another aspect, an apparatus for stretching the lower back includes a waist garment configured for placement around a person&#39;s waist. The apparatus also includes at least one stretchable elastic element for interconnecting the waist garment with a surface. The elastic element is stretchable when interconnecting the waist garment with the surface from a materially biased configuration by a person wearing the waist garment and tensioning the stretchable elastic element by pushing away from the surface to thereby apply force to the person&#39;s back via the waist garment. The apparatus also includes at least one foot support element against which a person can push his foot to push away from the surface, thus imposing a therapeutic force on his lower back. 
     The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the present back stretching machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section taken along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of one of the elastic bands with S-clips in an exploded relationship with respective eyes; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another example embodiment of the present back stretching machine. 
         FIG. 5  shows the back stretching machine in accordance with another embodiment wherein the back stretching machine is positioned within a doorway. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a back stretching apparatus  10  includes a base  12  on which a person can lie. The base  12  is generally parallelepiped-shaped and may be made of a suitable preferably rigid material such as Aluminum, Carbon fiber material, or plastic. 
     As shown, the base  12  includes a rectangular periphery  14  and in one implementation an upper padded surface  16  is bounded by the periphery  14 . In other embodiments the upper padded surface  16  can extend completely to the edges of the base  12 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 2 , an example upper padded surface  16  can include upper and lower layers  18 ,  20  of foam material covered by a protective vinyl cover  22 , with the lower layer  20  being positioned against a bottom plate  24  of the base  12  and with the vinyl cover being substantially co-planar with the top surface of the periphery  14  of the base  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     If desired, the base  12  may include left and right portions  12   a ,  12   b  that can be connected at a hinge joint  26  and that can be folded away from each other as shown in  FIG. 1  into a therapy orientation in which the base  12  is oriented horizontally relative to the ground, upper padded surface  16  facing up. The portions  12   a ,  12   b  can be folded toward each other as indicated by the arrow  28  with the first portion  12   a  being folded flat against the second portion  12   b  for compact stowage. The portions  12   a ,  12   b  may be the same size as each other or one portion may be smaller than the other portion. 
     To raise the upper padded surface  16  higher above the ground for the convenience of the user than it otherwise would be, four rigid vertical legs  30  can be provided at each corner of the base  12  to support the base  12  above the ground in the therapy orientation. If desired, as illustrated by the arrows  32  the legs can be hinged to the base  12  so that the legs  30  are foldable between the vertical configuration shown, in which the legs  30  are perpendicular to the upper padded surface  16  of the base  12 , and a horizontal configuration, in which the legs  30  are folded flat against the bottom  24  of the base. 
       FIG. 1  shows that left and right rigid foot bars  34 ,  36  are arranged at a first end of the base  12  and are and oriented vertically to extend above the upper padded surface  16  when the base  12  is in the therapy orientation. The foot bars  34 ,  36  may also be hingedly joined to the base if desired to fold down against the base for compact stowage, or may be removably joined to the base for the same purpose. In any case, the left and right foot bars  34 ,  36  are located along the first end and spaced laterally from each other (preferably at each left and right edge of the base). A cross-bar  37  may connect the foot bars  34 ,  36  and may be oriented perpendicular to the foot bars  34 ,  36  as shown. The cross-bar  37  can be made integrally with the foot bars  34 ,  36  or it can be made separately and then joined to the foot bars by, e.g., welding. While  FIG. 1  shows that the cross-bar  37  is connected at the top of the foot bars, in other implementations the cross-bar  37  may be connected lower on the foot bars, e.g., at the midpoints of the foot bars. In any case, a person lying supine on the upper padded surface of the base can place his left and right feet respectively against the cross-bar  37  and/or against the left and right rigid foot bars  34 ,  36 . The foot bars  34 ,  36  may be separate structures as shown or may be left and right portions of a single plate-like structure. 
     Cross-referencing  FIGS. 1 and 3 , elongated left and right elastic plastic or rubber members  38 ,  40  such as bands each have respective foot ends  38   a ,  40   a  attached respectively to the left and right foot bars  34 ,  36 . The left and right elastic members  38 ,  40  each define a respective waist end  38   b ,  40   b  opposite the respective foot end  38   a ,  40   a , with each left and right elastic member  38 ,  40  being materially biased to a short configuration in which the elastic member  38 ,  40  defines a first length and being stretchable to an elongated configuration in which the elastic member  38 ,  40  defines a second length longer than the first length. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , a waist belt  42  is connectable to the left and right elastic members  38 ,  40  at substantially diametrically opposite locations  44 ,  46  on the waist belt. By “substantially diametrically opposite” is meant between an angular difference of ninety degrees and two hundred seventy degrees, although locations other than substantially diametrically opposite may be used. The waist belt  42  is configured for snug placement around the waist of a person, and may include a detaching mechanism  48  such as a buckle to join and unjoin the ends of the waist belt at the buckle. 
     It may now be appreciated that a person wearing the waist belt  42  around his waist and lying supine on the upper padded surface  16  of the base  12  when the base  12  is in the therapy orientation with the left and right elastic members  38 ,  40  interconnecting the waist belt  42  and the left and right foot bars  34 ,  36  can place his left and right feet against the left and right foot bars  34 ,  36 , respectively, and push his feet against the left and right foot bars  34 ,  36  to urge the elastic members  38 ,  40  toward the second (stretched) configuration, thereby placing a force on the person&#39;s lower back. 
     In example embodiments, as best illustrated in  FIG. 3  a respective foot eyelet  50  is engaged with the foot end of each elastic member and a respective waist eyelet  52  is engaged with the waist end of each elastic member. The eyelets may be metal posts terminating in closed rings, with the posts being embedded in the elastic member, although other eyelet structure may be used. Also, right and left belt eyelets  54 ,  56  (in the example shown, loops of cord passed through the belt) can be arranged on the waist belt  42 , and the waist eyelets  52  of the elastic members are engageable with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt using respective left and right belt connectors  58 ,  60 . In the non-limiting example shown the belt connectors are S-shaped, it being understood that other connectors such as but not limited carabiner-type clips or other clipping or connecting structure such as detent and cavity connectors may be used, preferably so long as connection and disconnection is rendered simple and easy. 
     For completeness, note that although in some embodiments the belt eyelets  54 ,  56  may be at substantially diametrically opposed portions of the belt  42 , it is to be understood that plural (e.g., five) belt eyelets may be positioned along each side of the belt  42  for selectively engaging the elastic members  38 ,  40 , each one respective corresponding to similarly positioned eyelet on the other side of the belt  42 , such that, e.g., the elastic members  38 ,  40  may be engaged with the belt  42  using the eyelets at positions not necessarily diametrically opposed to engage in a desired stretch such as, e.g., respective belt positions more in front of an individual and/or more behind an individual than at the side of the individual. Furthermore, it is noted that having corresponding sets of eyelets spaced laterally along respective sides of the belt  42 , the belt  42  may be suitable for use as a one size fits all belt accommodating varying waist sizes. 
     Also, left and right foot eyelets  62 ,  64  may be arranged on the left and right foot bars  34 ,  36 . The foot eyelets  62 ,  64  may be metal posts terminating in closed rings, with the posts being threaded into a respective opening  66  in the foot bar  34 / 36 . If desired, each foot bar may include plural openings  66  spaced vertically from each other along the foot bar as shown, with each of the openings being engageable with a foot eyelet of the foot bar, such that a person can selectively engage a foot eyelet of each foot bar at a desired opening of the foot bar to thereby establish the elevation of the foot end of the respective elastic member. Or, each opening  66  may be provided with a respective eyelet  66   a  as shown. In any case, the foot eyelets  50  of the elastic members  38 ,  40  are engageable with respective foot eyelets  62 ,  64  of the foot bars  34 ,  36 , in the non-limiting example shown using respective left and right foot connectors  68 ,  70  that, like the other connectors, may be S-shaped connectors or other appropriate connectors. 
     To instruct a person how to use the apparatus  10 , a substrate  72  may be provided bearing instructions which instruct a person to lie flat on the upper surface  16  of the horizontally-oriented base  12 , don the waist belt  42  by fastening it around the person&#39;s waist, and connect respective first ends of the left and right elastic members  38 ,  40  to the respective left and right foot bars  34 ,  36  above the upper surface of the base. The instructions may also instruct the person to connect left and right segments (e.g., the loops  54 ,  56 ) of the waist belt  42  to respective second ends of the left and right elastic members  38 ,  40 , and then push his feet against the foot bars to thereby push his head away from the foot bars to provide a force on the person&#39;s back. In some embodiments the instructions may further advise the person to select a vertical location on the foot bars at which to attach the first end of each respective elastic member by means of the spaced openings  66  and eyelets  62 / 66   a . The person may also be instructed to vary a force applied to the foot bars from leg to leg to thereby move an axis of stretch against the person&#39;s back. 
     Now in reference to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of another example embodiment of the present back stretching machine is shown.  FIG. 4  shows the waist belt  42  described above, as well as the left and right elastic members  38  and  40  also described above. However, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , a foot bar assembly  74  is disposed in a doorway  76  in a wall  78  such that the foot assembly  74  abuts opposing door jambs  80  of the doorway  76 . It is to be understood that the foot bar assembly  74  may be positioned between the door jambs  80  such that portions  74   a ,  74   b  of the foot bar assembly  74  form a structure that is substantially horizontal and, e.g., parallel to the floor  82  also shown in  FIG. 4 . For completeness, note that as also shown, a door  84  with a door knob  86  is hingedly connected to a left side of the doorway  76  that is able to open and close (e.g., close completely) with or without the foot bar assembly  74  stationarily mounted in the door jambs  80  as described herein, and/or able to open and close with or without the brackets described below mounted in the jambs  80 /doorway  76 . 
     It is to be understood, as may be appreciated from  FIG. 4 , that the foot bar assembly  74  is configured for being stationarily mounted in the doorway  76 , e.g., at a lower portion of the doorway  76  between the jambs  80  so that a person may lie down on the floor  82 , or alternatively lie on a mat  88  (e.g., including the padded surface  16  described above, a yoga mat, and/or any other suitable or comfortable surface on which to lie, etc.) placed on the floor, and then place their feet against the foot bar assembly  74  while lying supine to exert force as described herein to stretch the person&#39;s back. Thus, it is to be understood that the foot bar assembly  74  includes and/or at least partially defines a left portion  74   a  that may be a bar and at least partially establishes a left rigid foot surface, as well as a right portion  74   b  that may be a bar and at least partially establishes a right rigid foot. Thus, the left and right rigid surfaces are spaced laterally from each other such that a person lying supine can place his left and right feet respectively against the left and right rigid foot surfaces. 
     In addition, in some embodiments the left and right portions  74   a ,  74   b  may be slidably engagable with each other to form a foot bar extending across the doorway  76  that is adjustable for varying widths of, e.g., various door jambs so that, e.g., the back stretching apparatus may be inserted into any given doorway and/or easily used at different locations. Thus, regardless of the particular doorway which a person wishes to use to stretch their back in accordance with present principles, the foot bar assembly  74  may nonetheless be stationarily mounted therein. However, it is to be understood that in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, a unitary bar (as opposed to the portions  74   a ,  74   b ) may form part of the foot bar assembly  74  that extends between the door jambs  80 . 
     Regardless, it is to be understood that in some example embodiments, the left and right portions  74   a ,  74   b  may be slidably engageable such that a materially biased element  90 , such as, e.g., a spring, that is, e.g., inside the foot bar assembly  74  and extending between the left and right portions  74   a ,  74   b  can engage, e.g., an inner portion of each of the first and second portions  74   a ,  74   b  such that the materially biased element  90  can exert force on each of the portions  74   a ,  74   b  by pushing the left and right portions  74   a ,  74   b  away from their junction and toward their respective opposing door jambs  80 , thereby at least partially engaging and/or stationarily mounting the foot bar assembly  74  within the doorway  76 . Note, however, that the element  90  need not necessarily be engaged in an inner portion of each of the portions  74   a ,  74   b  and may be, e.g., a spring connector or other materially biased element residing outside the portions  74   a ,  74   b  but still engaged with them. 
     Nonetheless, it is to be further understood that the portions  74   a ,  74   b  may be engageable with each other in still other ways, such as using another type of sleeved configuration, and/or using a peg and hole configuration where, e.g., one of the portions  74   a ,  74   b  has at least one peg (e.g., a retractable peg extending orthogonal to and/or outward from the portion  74   a  or  74   b  under spring bias), while and the other of the portions  74   a ,  74   b  has a few holes spaced laterally thereon such that the peg may be depressed on one of the portions to thus allow the portions to slide together or apart to selectively establish a desired length, and the peg may then be released such that it is selectively inserted into one of the holes depending on a desired length of the foot bar assembly  74  to then engage and be secured to a doorway in accordance with present principles. 
     As yet another example, the portions  74   a ,  74   b  may have threaded portions such that they are threadably engageable with each other by e.g., screwing an end of one of the portions  74   a ,  74   b , into an end of the other portion to establish a desired length to engage a doorway. Thus, in some embodiments the portions  74   a ,  74   b  may be telescoped and rotatable relative to each other (e.g., using a threaded structure) such that they can be turned relative to each other to establish a desired length and then be locked into place using, e.g., one of the methods described above such that the portions  74   a ,  74   b  are stationary relative to each other when, e.g., secured into a door jamb so that a person can place their feet against it to stretch their back without having the foot bar assembly  74  slip out of the doorway or otherwise become dislodged. 
     Still in reference to  FIG. 4 , note that left and right foot eyelets  62 ,  64  described above of the elastic members  38 ,  40  are engageable with respective openings  92  in the respective portions  74   a ,  74   b . In addition to or in lieu of the eyelets  62 ,  64  being inserted directly into the openings  92 , the eyelets  62 ,  64  may be engageable e.g., with respective foot eyelets on the foot bar assembly  74  not shown for clarity (e.g., protruding from the openings  92 ) using structures similar to the foot connectors  68 ,  70  described above. 
     Furthermore, to accommodate individuals of varying sizes and physical characteristics, plural sets of brackets  94  are spaced vertically on respective door jambs  80 , e.g., all the way down to or substantially at the floor  82 , such that each set is configured to receive the foot bar assembly  74  in a given substantially horizontal configuration. Thus, the foot bar assembly  74  may be selectively moved to a desired length by, e.g., compressing the (e.g., sleeved) portions  74   a ,  74   b  together under (e.g., spring) bias of the materially biased element  90 , moving the bar up or down and into a desired set of brackets  94 , and then allowing the portions  74   a ,  74   b  to extend outward toward their respective door jambs  80 , e.g., under material bias to thereby respectively engage a bracket of a respective set of brackets  94 . Thus, the foot bar assembly  74  may be positioned in any of the sets of brackets  94  spaced vertically along the door jambs  80  to accommodate a desired foot position of the individual using the back stretching apparatus described herein. Even further, it is to be understood that in addition to the three exemplary vacant sets of brackets  94  shown, a set of brackets  94  is also understood to exist, be occupied by, and be engaging the foot bar assembly  94  in the configuration of  FIG. 4  (though not shown for clarity). 
     Moreover, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, respective vertical tracks along the door jambs  80  may be used rather than the sets of brackets  94  such that the foot bar assembly  74  may be slid therein and secured at a desired height for an even more refined height adjustment. 
     Still further, note that in some embodiments, openings for the left and right foot eyelets  62 ,  64  may be formed adjacent to the portions  74   a ,  74   b  in the respective door jambs  80 . The foot bar assembly  74  extending across the doorway  76  may then be used to position an individual&#39;s feet to engage in back stretching in accordance with present principles, though it is to be understood that the user may also or alternatively position their feet on the respective door jambs  80  to stretch their back with the left and right foot eyelets  62 ,  64  engaged with either the door jambs  80 , and/or the portions  74   a ,  74   b , and/or another portion of the foot bar assembly  74 . 
     Also in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, it is to be understood that, with the eyelets  62 ,  64  engaged with openings in the door jambs  80 , the foot bar assembly  74 , the foot pedals described immediately below, or any other suitable structure on which to position one or more feet to engage in back stretching in accordance with present principles may be used as a foot support. E.g., a person may lie substantially on one side of the doorway  76 , extend their feet through the doorway  76 , and position their feet against a bed post on the other side of the doorway  76  to engage in back stretching. 
     Thus, it is to be understood that in some embodiments, the eyelets  62 ,  64  may be engaged with one surface (e.g., the foot bar assembly  74 ), while the individual&#39;s feet may be positioned on another surface (e.g., separate foot support of the back stretching apparatus) to engage in back stretching in accordance with present principles. However, it is to also be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, the surface of the foot bar assembly  74  with which the eyelets  62 ,  64  are engageable may also at least partially define foot supports in accordance with present principles. 
     Also in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, left and right foot pedals for feet positioning may extend from the door jambs  80  toward the inner portion of the doorway  76  but not connect to each other at any point as the portions  74   a ,  74   b  do, and may be adjustable using any of the exemplary ways described above (e.g., brackets). In such an embodiment, openings for the eyelets  62 ,  64  may be formed in the pedals, and/or may be formed in the door jambs  80 . Still further, any other suitable surface around or adjacent to the area where the person wishes to engage in back stretching may include openings for the eyelets  62 ,  64  to be secured to stretch one&#39;s back in accordance with present principles. 
     Accordingly, it may now be appreciated that the waist belt  42  as shown in  FIG. 4  may be configured for snug placement around the waist of a person such that a person wearing the waist belt around his waist and lying supine with the left and right elastic members  38 ,  40  interconnecting the waist belt  42  and the foot bar assembly  74  can place his left and right feet against the portions  74   a ,  74   b , respectively, and push his feet against the portions  74   a ,  74   b  to urge the elastic members  38 ,  40  toward an extending configuration to thereby place a stretching force on the person&#39;s lower back. 
     Furthermore, it is to be understood that instructions may be provided to instruct a person on how to use the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , as well as any of the other configurations and/or embodiments described herein. Accordingly, the instructions may include instructing a person to lie supine on a substantially horizontally-oriented surface with at least one foot positioned against a foot bar assembly above the surface. The instructions may also include instructing the person to don a waist belt positioned around the person&#39;s waist, then instructing the person to connect respective first ends of left and right elastic members to respective left and right portions of the foot bar assembly. In addition, the instructions may include instructing the person to connect left and right segments of the waist belt to respective second ends of the left and right elastic members. Also, the instructions may include instructing the person to push his feet against the foot bar assembly to thereby push his head away from the foot bar assembly to provide a force on the person&#39;s back. Even further, in some embodiments the instructions may include instructing the person to select a vertical location of the foot bar assembly, and/or instructing the person to vary a force applied to the foot bar assembly from leg to leg to thereby move an axis of stretch against the person&#39;s back. 
       FIG. 5  shows a back stretching machine positioned within a doorway. The back stretching machine includes: a first vertical bar  34  extending from a first bottom end  34   a  to a first top end  34   b  and having at least two first openings  66   a  each disposed between said first bottom end and said first top end; a second vertical bar  36  extending from a second bottom end to a second top end  36   b  and having at least two second openings  66   b  each disposed between said second bottom end and said second top end; a waist belt  44  comprising: a loop configured to extend around a user&#39;s waist, and a pair of belt eyelets  56   a ;  56   b , wherein said pair of belt eyelets includes a right belt eyelet  56   b  positioned on a right side of the belt and a left belt eyelet  56   a  positioned on a left side of the belt; and a pair of elastic members  38 ;  40 , each of the elastic members comprising a first connector  38   b  positioned at a first end and a second connector  38   a  positioned at a second end opposite of the first end, wherein the first connector  38   b  is configured to attach with one of: the right or left belt eyelets  56   a ;  56   b , and wherein the second connector is configured to attach with one of the openings  66   a ;  66   b  of the first and second vertical bars; wherein the first vertical bar  34 , second vertical bar  36 , and the openings  66   a ;  66   b  disposed thereon, are each disposed within a doorway; the back stretching machine further comprising: a foot bar assembly  74 , said foot bar assembly comprising a bar configured for placement between the first and second vertical bars  34 ;  36  within the doorway at a height between said openings  66   a ;  66   b , wherein the foot bar assembly is configured to extend horizontally within the doorway and engage each of the first and second vertical bars, and wherein the foot bar assembly is adjustable in length between the first and second vertical bars for securing the foot bar assembly within the doorway. The foot bar assembly can include a first portion  74   a  slideably engaged with a second portion, and a materially biased element  90  as described above. 
     For completeness, note that a kit may be manufactured and provided to a user of the back stretching apparatus including at least some of the elements described above. E.g., the kit may include one of more of the belt  42 , elastic members  38 ,  40 , and/or the foot bar assembly  42  for use as foot supports, but note that an individual may still be required to drill holes in door jambs for placement of the eyelets  62 ,  64  in some embodiments. 
     Also for completeness, note that an individual need not necessarily be lying supine to stretch their back using the waist band and elastic members described above. For instance, the belts, elastic members, etc. may be used in a standing position such that the elastic members interconnect the waist belt to the floor or another surface, and the user may, e.g., engage in squatting to stretch their back. Other positions may be engaged in by an individual as well when donning the waist belt, such as, e.g., hanging upside down and pressing against a board or a ceiling with one&#39;s feet in accordance with present principles, or even lying face down or in the push-up position e.g., with feet positioned against foot supports protruding from door jambs. 
     Even further, note that bars forming all or part of the foot bar assembly need not necessarily be horizontal to a floor or other surface in all embodiments in order to undertake present principles. For example, a bar(s) forming an upright or upside down V may be used, an A frame formation, an X formation, and/or plural parallel horizontal bars. In addition, any of the bars and/or foot bar assemblies described herein may be, e.g., mounted and/or otherwise engaged with a wall rather than door jambs of a doorway, may be secured to a floor rather than a doorway (e.g., such that they protrude upward similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  but are secured to the floor rather than to the base  12 ), may be suspended from and/or secured to a ceiling or underside of a table, etc. 
     Last, note that in some embodiments, a board or other structure besides a bar may be used in accordance with present principles. For instance, a wooden board may be positioned across a doorway. The board may even be rotatable angularly as desired with pivot points in respective door jambs to facilitate different back stretching while still secured in the doorway. Moreover, present principles recognize that such a board need not necessarily be positioned in a doorway, but may be secured to a wall and/or not secured to any building structure, instead only being connected to the waist belt itself (via the elastic members) such that a person can lie in the middle of a room with the elastic members connecting the belt on the person to the board, and then push their feet against the board (or bar) until the point of the person&#39;s full leg extension in order to engage in back stretching. 
     It is to be understood that the figures described herein generally show methods steps in conjunction with the devices, apparatuses, and elements disclosed herein. 
     While the particular BACK STRETCHING MACHINE is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.