Patent Publication Number: US-7223212-B2

Title: Device and kit for body stretching

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a device in a kit for stretching the body. 
   A regular program of physical exercise is important to the physical and mental health of persons. Many people exercise at health and exercise facilities under the guidance and instruction of a trained exercise director. Other persons exercise alone or at home. Exercise takes on a variety of routines, including, but not limited to, yoga, martial arts, aerobics, swimming, running, cross-training, and gymnastics. 
   The stretching of the muscles, ligaments and other body tissues improves flexibility, reduces muscle cramping and strains or other forms of injuries, and improves exercise performance and endurance. Safely stretching tight muscles prior to an activity may help prevent soft tissue trauma during activities. Re-stretching during the cool-down phase after the completion of the activity minimizes muscle soreness and helps to elongate tissues that may become tight during the activity. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an exercise device for use in assisting a person to stretch a targeted tissue in the body, comprising: a) a flexible, inelastic strap having a first end, and a second end, and having a fixed loop formed at the first end; b) a connector assembly comprising: i) a movable member configured for positioning along the length of the strap, and ii) a fixed member that is attached to the second end of the strap, wherein connector has a connected configuration wherein the movable member and the fixed member are releasably connected, thereby forming a second loop proximate the second end of the strap, and a disconnected configuration wherein the movable member and the fixed member are not connected. 
   The present invention also relates to a kit for use in assisting a person to stretch a targeted tissue in the body, comprising: a) the exercise device, b) instructions that inform a user of the proper use of the device to stretch a targeted tissue in the body; and c) a means for securing the device and the instructions. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exercise device of the present invention with a connector assembly in a disconnected configuration. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1  in a connected configuration. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a kit of the present invention consisting of a closed container containing an exercise device and instructions for proper use of the device for stretching. 
       FIG. 4  shows an instruction sheet for use in the kit of  FIG. 3  that informs a user of the proper use of the device. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view illustrating a person using the exercise device illustrated in  FIG. 2  to stretch muscles in the inner thighs and groin. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an exercise device  10  of the present invention. The device includes an elongated member shown as a length of a flexible strap  12  and a connector assembly  30 . The strap  12  has a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The strap is inelastic and is typically made of a polypropylene, nylon or other thermoplastic, resilient woven material, but could be made of cotton, hemp, or other natural fiber woven material. The strap typically has a width of at least about 1.5 inches, and up to about 4 inches, and more typically of at least about 2 inches. The strap  12  typically has a length, from the first end  14  to the second end  16 , with the connector  30  in the disconnected configuration, of about 8 feet, and up to about 12 feet, and more typically of about 10 feet. 
   The connector assembly  30  comprises a movable member   32  configured for positioning along a portion of the length of the strap  12 , and a fixed member  36  that is attached to the second end  16  of the strap. The movable member  32  has a pair of adjoining slots through which the length of strap can pass and thereby engage with the movable member  32 , thereby providing a loop-forming portion  52  of strap that extends from the movable member  32  toward the second end  16 , and a trailing portion  54  of strap that extends from the movable member  32  toward the first end  14 . The movable member  32  can be positioned along the length of the strap  12  by grasping the movable member and pulling on either the loop-forming portion  52  or trailing portion  54  of strap  12 , so that the strap passes through the slots of the movable member  32 . 
   The connector assembly  30  also comprises a fixed member  36  configured for attachment to the second end  16  of the strap. A typical attachment of the fixed member  36  is made by passing a leading portion  26  of the strap stock proximate the second end  16  through a slot in the fixed member  36 , folding the leading portion back onto the strap, and securing the leading portion  26  to the strap with a securement, such as stitching  28 . 
   A typical connector assembly is a snap buckle, such as an Airloc Side Release Buckle, available from ITW Nexus U.S, Des Plaines, Ill., or a Side Release Buckle, available from Fasnap® Corporation, Elkhart, Ind. Such snap buckles are typically made of a plastic material and are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate straps of various widths. 
   The strap has a fixed loop  20  formedproximate the end  14  by folding a leading portion  22  of the strap stock back onto mid-length portion of the strap, and securing the leading portion  22  to the mid-length portion with a securement, such as stitching  24 . The fixed loop  20  is configured for fitment over a user&#39;s foot, hand, leg, or arm during the stretch exercise. The fixed loop typically has a circumference of at least about 14 inches, and up to about 18 inches, and more typically of about 16 inches. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the connector assembly  30  has a connected configuration wherein the fixed member  36  and the movable member  32  are connected together, thereby forming a second loop  60  proximate the second end  16  of the strap. Typically, the connector assembly  30  is configured with a release button or other means for releasing the fixed member  36  from the movable member  32 , into the disconnected configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Other connectors can be used to releasably connect the second end  16  with a mid-length portion of the strap  12  to form the second loop  60  of varying circumference. Non-limiting examples of such other connectors can include a mechanical hook and loop fastener, cap and button snaps, and others. 
   The size of the second loop can be varied by grasping the connector assembly  30  and pulling on either the loop-forming portion  52  or trailing portion  54  of the strap. Pulling on the loop-forming portion  52  will cause the second loop  60  to become larger in circumference, while pulling on the trailing portion  54  will cause the second loop  60  to become smaller in circumference. 
   The connector assembly  30  is configured to resist movement along the length of the strap while the device, in its connected configuration, is in use. That is, the connector assembly  30  resists movement along the strap  12  when opposed forces are applied to the loop  60  and to the trailing portion  54  of the strap. 
   The exercise device  10  can be used in one or more configurations for use in assisting a person to stretch a targeted tissue in the body. One device configuration provides use of the device with the connection assembly in a disconnected configuration, having only a fixed loop  20 . In this configuration, the user can grasp and restrain the strap at a point along the mid-length of the device. Another device configuration provides use of the device with the connection assembly  30  in a connected configuration having both the first loop  20  and the second loop  60 . In various alternative configurations of the exercise device having both the first loop and the second loop  60 , the position of the movable member  32  can be varied to provide the second loop  60  with correspondingly varied circumferences. One such configuration provides the second loop  60  with a circumference of at least about 14 inches to about 18 inches, and more typically of about 16 inches, but can be up to nearly the entire length of the remaining part of the strap. Since the size of the second loop  60  can be adjusted, the overall length of the strap  12 , from the first end  14  of the fixed loop  20  to a distal end of the second loop  60 , can correspondingly vary. The adjustability of the size of the second loop  60  allows for fine adjustment of the overall length of the strap. The fine adjustment of the overall length of the strap  12  can provide more effective use of the device by persons of all sizes while performing a wide variety of stretching exercises. In this configuration, the user may use only the expandable second loop  60 , or may use both the fixed loop  20  and the second loop  60 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is a kit for use in assisting a person to stretch a targeted tissue in the body. The kit comprises an exercise device as described herein above, and instructions that inform a user of the proper use of the device to stretch a corresponding plurality of targeted tissues in the body. The kit also comprises a means for securing the exercise device with the instructions. 
   The instructions can be in a variety of forms that can explain or show the user the proper use of the exercise device in stretching a targeted tissue of the body. Typically, the targeted tissue is a muscle, a ligament, a tendon, and combinations thereof. More typically, the instructions inform the user of a plurality of proper uses of the device, to stretch a corresponding plurality of targeted tissues in the body. The instructions can be observed and used directly by a user of the exercise device, or can be observed by an instructor, who then directs the user in the proper use of the device. 
   A typical securement means for the kit comprises a package that encloses the exercise device and the instructions. Typically, the package is closed for shipment and storage of the kit, such as for transportation through commerce to a retail or wholesale store, or to a facility (including, but not limited to, an exercise facility, rehabilitation facility, hospital, clinic, yoga studio, martial arts training center, or a residence) where the device will be used. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a typical package is a closed transparent thermoplastic container  80  that has a backopening that is initially covered by a secured, hinged lid  81 . A set of written instructions  90  are folded and positioned within the container. The exercise device  10  is typically rolled or folded, and placed within the container  80 . The container can have a label  88  for commercial purposes that can be positioned and secured on the inside of the container, facing outward, as shown in  FIG. 3 , or on the outside of the container. The container  80  can be sized depending upon the length and width of the strap of the exercise device, and on the type and quantity of instructions. For example, when the instructions include a video tape, the container should be sized with dimensions to contain the videotape. 
   Another embodiment of a kit of the invention uses a securement means that comprises a shrink-wrap plastic film, or a plastic bag that is secured closed to contain the exercise device and instructions. 
   The instructions are selected from the group consisting of written instructions, pictorial instructions, audio instructions, video instructions, and mixtures thereof. Typically instructions include a combination of written instructions and pictorial instructions, in the form of an instruction sheet or card. 
     FIG. 4  shows an instruction as an instruction sheet  90  comprising a plurality of written exercise instructions  92  and a corresponding plurality of pictorial instructions  94 . 
   A typical written exercise instruction  92   a  includes a description heading  96  and (one or) a plurality of steps  98   a ,  98   b , and  98   c  of a method of using the exercise device in stretching a targeted tissue of the body. The written exercise instruction  92   a  is proximally associated with a pictorial instruction, shown as image  94   a , to assist in understanding the instruction for using the device. Each written exercise instruction  92  can be directed to a different targeted tissue of the body for stretching, such as calf muscles, hamstring muscles, and others. 
   The instructions can be used to direct the user in a wide variety of stretching exercises. Typical examples include a straight leg stretch or release (release is an alternative term for stretching), hip release to the outside or to the inside, groin release, full body release, arms overhead release, and chest release. One example of an exercise instruction is provided for a stretching exercise called “groin release”. The written instruction sheet includes the written exercise instructions, shown in Table A, in combination with a pictorial image, such as  FIG. 5 , to improve the understanding and proper performance of the stretch exercise. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE A 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Groin Release 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
               Step No. 
                 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
               1 
               Lie on back with both knees bent and feet flat on 
             
             
                 
               the floor. 
             
             
               2 
               Place the sewn (fixed) loop over the toes of one 
             
             
                 
               foot, and pass the expandable (second) loop under 
             
             
                 
               the trunk of the body. 
             
             
               3 
               Adjust the size of the expandable (second) loop 
             
             
                 
               to fit over the toes of the other foot. 
             
             
               4 
               Hold the belt with both hands and bring the 
             
             
                 
               knees toward the chest. 
             
             
               5 
               Straighten the knees and allow the legs to separate 
             
             
                 
               into a “V” shape, as shown in the photo 
             
             
                 
               (FIG. 5). 
             
             
               6 
               Readjust the size of the expandable loop, as 
             
             
                 
               needed, to obtain release of the muscles and 
             
             
                 
               other tissues in the inside of both thighs and the 
             
             
                 
               groin. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Another example of an exercise instruction is provided for a stretching exercise called “Straight Leg Release”, with written exercise instructions shown in Table B. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE B 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Straight Leg Release 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
               Step No. 
                 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               Lie on back with both knees bent and feet flat on 
             
             
                 
               the floor. 
             
             
               2 
               Place the sewn (fixed) loop over one foot and 
             
             
                 
               straighten that leg. 
             
             
               3 
               Inhale, and then slowly exhale while pulling the 
             
             
                 
               leg towards the chest. 
             
             
               4 
               The muscles and other tissues in the back of the 
             
             
                 
               thigh are being released. 
             
             
               5 
               Repeat on the opposite leg. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Yet another example of an exercise instruction is provided for a stretching exercise called “Chest Release”, with written exercise instructions shown in Table C. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE C 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Chest Release 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
               Step No. 
                 
             
             
                 
             
             
               1 
               Standing erect, place the length of the strap in 
             
             
                 
               both hands, with the hands extended greater 
             
             
                 
               than shoulder width apart. 
             
             
               2 
               Inhale, exhale, and then raise the extended 
             
             
                 
               hands overhead. 
             
             
               3 
               Inhale, exhale, and then allow the extended arms 
             
             
                 
               to rotate down and back behind the body. 
             
             
               4 
               The muscles and other tissues in the front of the 
             
             
                 
               chest and shoulders are being released. 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   The exercise device can be used by a user in a variety of positions, including a standing position, a seated position, a lying position, and other relaxed positions for effective stretching of the body. 
   Another example of an instruction includes an audio/video tape or DVD, which includes a video demonstration of one or more of the stretching exercises, performed by an instructor, in combination with oral instructions on the stretching technique. Another example of an instruction includes a digital file that can be provided on permanent or semi-permanent digital recording media, such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk, or can be downloaded from the Internet, and presented by displaying the digital file on a digital file player such as a computer having a video monitor and audio speakers. 
   While specific embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the metalworking arts that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.