Patent Publication Number: US-2021177684-A1

Title: Bench assembly for stretching the quadriceps femoris and/or hip flexors muscles

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a bench assembly for stretching the quadriceps femoris and or hip flexors muscle groups of a client under the direction of a therapist. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The quadriceps femoris a group of muscles located in the front of the thigh. www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/quadriceps#1. The group has four separate muscles: the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and the rectus femoris. Each of the vastus muscles originates on the femur bone and attaches to the kneecap. Id. 
     The quadriceps are used for cycling, walking, running and other physical activities, but are prone to such injuries as strains, tears and fractures. 
     A traditional quadriceps stretch, often called a “runners stretch” stretches only the smaller rectus femoris part of the quadriceps. That represents about 10% of the muscle tissue in the group. Conventional stretching methods tend to omit a significant percentage of the quadriceps muscle mass. https://www.painscience.com/articles/spot-08-quadriceps.php. 
     Combined hip and knee extension exercises (like the squat) are likely to be necessary for full quadriceps development. 
     SUMMARY 
     Against this background, a need has developed for suitable equipment each which efficiently and safely enables a trainer to apply suitable therapy to a client&#39;s quads and hip flexors. 
     Following is a simplified overview of representative embodiments and implementations. Its primary purpose is to convey a basic understanding of the subject matter for which patent protection is sought. This summary is not a detailed description of all contemplated embodiments. Nor is it intended to convey all key or critical elements of all inventive features or aspects. 
     To meet the shortcomings of conventional stretching methods described above, in one embodiment a bench assembly is provided that stretches and develops the quadriceps femoris and/or hip flexors muscle groups of a client with the help of a therapist or trainer. 
     The bench assembly has a basal subassembly with a front member that faces the therapist. Extending rearwardly from the front member is a first side member. A rear member extends laterally from the first side member. 
     Each of the front and rear members have an upwardly oriented column that extends from a bottom rail of the associated member. The columns underlie a client support pad on which the client may lie recumbent and face upwardly with his/her legs positioned towards the front member. 
     The client support pad has a front edge that faces the therapist. That edge is a knee-hinge edge which is adapted to receive the back of the client&#39;s knee. 
     In use, the therapist bends and holds a lower leg rearwardly underneath the client support pad on one side of the column according to a stretching regimen. Thereafter that leg is released and a stretching regimen is applied to the other leg according to the same or another stretching regimen. Benefits include progressive extension of the quads. 
     Optionally, while the client is lying recumbent, a hip flexure regimen is applied to either or both of the client&#39;s hips. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a quartering perspective view of a bench assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from a vantage point that is above and in front of an embodiment of the bench assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a side member with related basal connecting features extending therefrom; and 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the underside of the client support pad with related pad support features extending downwardly therefrom 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a representative embodiment of a bench assembly  10  according to this disclosure. For reference, the bench assembly is shown with three mutually orthogonal directions, forming a three-dimensional frame of reference. 
     A longitudinal direction corresponds to the “Z-axis”. This axis is oriented perpendicularly to a vertical XY-plane. Another direction, referenced as “transverse”, is perpendicular to the Z axis. This transverse direction is also referred to as “X-axis”. A respective XZ-plane is formed by the X and Z axes. It is considered to be horizontal and is the plane in which a client&#39;s upper torso and thighs may lie recumbent. The XZ-plane corresponds to a top view of the bench assembly. 
     A third direction is oriented vertically to XZ plane and is referred to as the “Y-axis”. A respective YZ plane is formed by the Y and Z axes. Together, the YZ plane is the plane in which a trainer moves the lower legs of a client who is recumbent on the bench assembly. 
     Turning first to  FIGS. 1-2 , the bench assembly  10  has a basal subassembly  12  with a front member  14  that that lies in the XY plane and faces the therapist. Extending rearwardly from the front member in the YZ plane is a first side member  16 . A rear member  18  extends laterally from the first side member  16  in the XY plane. 
     Each of the front and rear members  14 ,  16  have an upwardly oriented column  24 ,  26  in the Y direction that extends from a bottom rail  20 , 22  of the associated member. The columns  24 , 26  underlie a client support pad  36  that lies in the XZ plane on which the client may lie recumbent and face upwardly with his/her legs positioned towards the front member  14 . 
     The client support pad  36  has a front edge  38  that faces the therapist. That edge is a knee-hinge edge in the XZ plane which is adapted to receive the back of the client&#39;s knee. 
     In most embodiments, the bench assembly  10  has a basal subassembly  12  that is tubular. Usually, the first side member  16  ( FIG. 3 ) has a basal connecting feature  40  that extends towards and telescopingly engages an associated front or rear member  14 , 18 . Preferably, the upwardly oriented columns  24 ,  26  are also tubular. 
     Advantageously, the client support pad  36  has a lower surface  42  and a pad connecting feature  44 , 46  ( FIG. 4 ) that extends downwardly therefrom. The pad connecting feature  44 , 46  telescopingly engages the top portion  32 , 34  of an associated column  24 , 26 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1,2 and 4 , the client support pad  36  has a pair of lateral side edges  48 , 50  that extend rearwardly from the knee-hinge edge  38 . The pad connecting features  40  extend downwardly from the knee-hinge edge  38  and a rear edge  52  for receiving the columns  24 , 26 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the bench assembly  10  is formed from welded, brazed or otherwise joined components and is thus monolithic. Preferably, the bench assembly has component parts including the basal subassembly  12 , the front and rear members  14 , 18 , the first side member  16  and the client support pad  36  that can readily be assembled for client and therapist use and disassembled for portability. 
     The bench assembly of claim  1 , wherein the front and rear members  14 , 18  each have a brace  54 , 56  ( FIGS. 1-2 ) extending above the bottom rail  28 , 30  that supports an associated column  24 , 26  to promote stability of the bench assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the bench assembly  10  has front and rear members  14 , 18  that are provided with a pair of upper shoulders  58 , 60 , 62 , 64  ( FIG. 2 ). In such cases, an anti-slip surface  66 , 68  is mounted on at least some of the upper shoulders to facilitate safe mounting of the client on the bench assembly and dismounting therefrom. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4  the bench assembly  10  further includes one or more straps  70  mounted to an underside of the client support pad  36  to facilitate transport thereof. 
     Alternative embodiments include flanges  72 , 74 , 76 , 78  projecting from a lower surface  80 , 82  of the bottom rails of the front and rear members  14 , 18  for added stability and to provide a means for securing the bench assembly to a flooring surface  84  on which the bench assembly  10  is positioned. 
     Preferably, tubular front and rear basal members  14 , 18  the first side member  16  and the columns  24 , 26  have a quadrilateral cross-section. 
     Optionally, the bench assembly  10  further comprises a second side member (not shown) that extends between the front and rear members  14 , 18  for added stability. 
     This disclosure also includes a method of assembling a bench assembly as described above. The assembly steps include: 
     providing a basal subassembly with front and rear members and a first side member extending between the front and rear members; 
     mounting on each of the front and rear members an upwardly oriented column; and 
     securing a client support pad on which the client may lie recumbent, the client support pad being attached to the upwardly oriented columns, the client support pad having a knee-hinge edge that is adapted to receive the back of the client&#39;s knee. 
     Also included in this disclosure is a method of using the described bench assembly for stretching and/or developing the quadriceps femoris and/or hip flexors muscle groups of a client under the direction of a therapist. The method of use steps include: 
     positioning the client on the client support pad in the XZ plane so that the client faces upwardly with his/her legs positioned towards the front member;
         moving in the YZ plane a lower leg of the client rearwardly on one side of a column according to a stretching regimen; and   moving parallel to the YZ plane the other lower leg rearwardly on another side of the column according to a stretching regimen.       

     Representative stretching regimens of the quad extension and hip flexor movements will now be described. 
     Proper Position to Begin the Quad/Hip Flexor Stretch 
     The client climbs onto the bench assembly. The client sits in an upright position and slides his/her (hereinafter “his”) glutes to the front edge of the pad facing the trainer. Once the glutes are on the front edge of the pad with his legs hanging down in a relaxed position, the client will lay his upper body back and relax on the supporting pad. 
     In the description below, it is assumed that the first leg to be stretched/strengthened is the right leg. But it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited. 
     Right Leg
         1.) The client will grab his left knee with both hands and pull it into his chest as tightly as possible.   2.) The client will support his left foot on the right shoulder of the trainer. The trainer will apply downward pressure to the right thigh of the client with the left hand or left forearm of the trainer, while simultaneously applying pressure to the right shin of the client with the left knee of the trainer. Depending on the client, this position will be held for about 30-45 seconds.   3.) The client will be asked to aggressively lift his right knee up against the left hand or forearm of the trainer, while the trainer applies downward pressure into the right thigh of the client. This will create an isometric contraction of the right hip flexor that will be held for about 7 seconds. After the 7 second isometric contraction, the client will be asked to relax his right leg and continue to breathe.   4.) The trainer will continue to apply downward pressure to the right thigh of the client with the left hand or forearm of the trainer, while simultaneously applying pressure to the right shin of the client with the left knee of the trainer. Depending on the client, his position will be held for about for 10-20 seconds.   5.) The client will be asked to aggressively extend his right shin against the left knee of the trainer, while the trainer applies pressure back into the right shin of the client. This will create an isometric contraction of the right quadriceps and will be held for about 7 seconds. After the 7 second isometric contraction, the client will be asked to relax his right leg and continue to breathe.   6.) While applying downward pressure to the thigh of the client, the trainer will encourage the client to relax as the trainer airs out (moves it back and forth) the lower limb about 4-5 times. Once the airing out is complete, the right side has been fully stretched.       

     Left Leg
         1.) The client will grab his right knee with both hands and pull it into his chest as tightly as possible.   2.) The client will support his right foot on the left shoulder of the trainer. The trainer will apply downward pressure to the left thigh of the client with the right hand or right forearm of the trainer, while simultaneously applying pressure to the left shin of the client with the right knee of the trainer Depending on the client, this position will be held for about 30-45 seconds.   2.) Apply downward pressure to the left thigh of the client with the right hand or forearm of the trainer, while simultaneously applying pressure to the left shin of the client with the right knee of the trainer. Hold this position for 30-45 seconds.   3.) The client will be asked to aggressively lift his left knee up against the right hand or forearm of the trainer, while the trainer applies downward pressure into the left thigh of the client. This will create an isometric contraction of the left hip flexor that will be held for about 7 seconds. After the 7 second isometric contraction, relax the left leg and continue to breathe.   4.) The trainer will continue to apply downward pressure to the left thigh of the client with the right hand or forearm of the trainer, while simultaneously applying pressure to the left shin of the client with the right knee of the trainer. Depending on the client, his position will be held for about 10-20 seconds.   5.) The client will be asked to aggressively extend his left shin against the right knee of the trainer, while the trainer applies pressure back into the left shin of the client. This will create an isometric contraction of the left quadriceps and will be held for about 7 seconds. After the 7 second isometric contraction, the client will be asked to relax the left leg and continue to breathe.   6.) While applying downward pressure to the left thigh of the client, the trainer will encourage the client to relax as the trainer airs out (moves it back and forth) the lower limb about 4-5 times. Once this airing out is complete, the left side has been fully stretched.       

     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Reference No. 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 bench assembly 
               
               
                 12 
                 basal subassembly 
               
               
                 14 
                 front member 
               
               
                 16 
                 first side member 
               
               
                 18 
                 rear member 
               
               
                 20, 22 
                 bottom rail 
               
               
                 24, 26 
                 upwardly oriented column 
               
               
                 28, 30 
                 bottom portion 
               
               
                 32, 34 
                 top portion 
               
               
                 36 
                 client support pad 
               
               
                 38 
                 knee-hinge edge 
               
               
                 40 
                 basal connecting feature 
               
               
                 42 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 44, 46 
                 pad connecting feature 
               
               
                 48 
                 lateral side edges 
               
               
                 50 
                 lateral side edges 
               
               
                 52 
                 rear edge 
               
               
                 54, 56 
                 brace 
               
               
                 58, 60, 62, 64 
                 upper shoulders 
               
               
                 66, 68 
                 anti-slip surface 
               
               
                 70 
                 strap 
               
               
                 72, 74, 76, 78 
                 pair of flanges 
               
               
                 80, 82 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 84 
                 flooring surface 
               
               
                 86 
                 second side member