Abstract:
An apparatus and method directed to an exercise and stretching therapy bar is disclosed herein. The apparatus allows an individual to provide physical therapy treatment to himself or herself without the aid of a therapist or another individual. The apparatus helps release muscle tension helping to keep the body balanced and preventing future injuries. In an embodiment, the apparatus is generally comprised of a main body having a cylindrical bar shape. Said main body having two raised portions separated by sufficient space to allow the user&#39;s vertebral column to be positioned within those two raised portions and said main body not having any meaningful force applied to the user&#39;s vertebral column. In another embodiment the main body is also comprised of handle portions for assisting the user in gripping the apparatus while in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       INCORPORATING-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0005]    Not applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of use for directed to therapy equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of use for an exercise and stretching bar, which allows for self-massaging and self physical therapy treatment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Without limiting the scope of the disclosed apparatus and method of use, the background is described in connection with a novel device and approach to an exercise and stretching therapy bar. 
         [0008]    The field&#39;s prior art reflects many approaches and apparatuses in providing physical therapy treatment. 
         [0009]    As a first example, the most common approach for massage and physical therapy treatment is with the aid of a physical therapist. The physical therapist will work with the individual in need of treatment and work through various physical exercises and may also provide massage therapy. However, with this approach, there is a dependency in having to rely on another individual. 
         [0010]    As a second example, various exercise balls are used where an individual using their hands will roll the ball over areas to be worked on to provide self massaging and self physical therapy treatment. An individual may also position the ball under an area to be worked on and use the weight of their body to apply pressure. Drawbacks to this approach is the individual is limited to targeting areas in which their hands can reach and can only target other areas with the aid of other objects such as walls and floors. To target certain areas, the individual must be in a certain position such as laying down or sitting. If an individual is not able to get in that position, their ability to target certain areas will be limited. In addition, the areas that can be targeted and the manner that the target areas are addressed are limited as well. Further background and discussions regarding exercise balls may be found in issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,776 issued on Apr. 7, 1998 to Robert L. Sezey et al. 
         [0011]    As a third example, conventional exercise bars are utilized such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,162 issued on May 21, 1985 to William J. Oates. These are often focused on physical therapy treatment from the standpoint of exercises and fall short when they are utilized for self massaging. For example, to target the neck and back in the areas immediately adjacent to the vertebral column, it is impossible to hit these areas without hitting the vertebral column itself which could present additional problems if the vertebral column is already injured in any way. 
         [0012]    In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for an apparatus for an exercise and stretching bar, which allows for self-massaging and self physical therapy treatment, which overcomes, mitigates, or solves the above problems in the art. It is the purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art, which will become apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention, therefore, provides an apparatus and method of use for an exercise and stretching bar, which allows for self-massaging and self physical therapy treatment. 
         [0014]    The apparatus allows an individual to provide physical therapy treatment to himself or herself without the aid of a therapist or another individual and may be used in the standing, sitting, or supine position. The apparatus helps release muscle tension helping to keep the body balanced and preventing future injuries. The apparatus can target the muscles surrounding the vertebral column without applying any meaningful force to the vertebral column itself 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the apparatus is generally comprised of a main body having a cylindrical bar shape. Said main body having two raised portions separated by sufficient space to allow the user&#39;s vertebral column to be positioned within those two raised portions and said main body not having any meaningful force applied to the user&#39;s vertebral column. In another embodiment the main body is also comprised of handle portions for assisting the user in gripping the apparatus while in use. In yet another embodiment, the main body is also comprised of end stop portions. 
         [0016]    In summary, the present invention discloses an improved apparatus and method of use directed to therapy equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of use for an exercise and stretching bar, which allows for self-massaging and self physical therapy treatment. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0017]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings: 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is an environmental view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar being utilized by a user in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Disclosed herein is an improved apparatus and method of use for an exercising and stretching therapy bar. The numerous innovative teachings of the present invention will be described with particular reference to several embodiments (by way of example, and not of limitation). 
         [0024]    Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Illustrated in this figure are the different areas or portions of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of a main body, which is the entire apparatus depicted in the illustration. The main body having at least two raised portions  70 ,  80  separated by sufficient space  100  to allow the user&#39;s vertebral column to be positioned within the cavity  90  formed by at least two of those two raised portions  70 ,  80  with the main body not having any meaningful force applied to the user&#39;s vertebral column. These raised portions  70 ,  80  serve as dual pressure points for applying massaging and physical therapy treatment. On each side of the raised portions  70 ,  80  are handle portions  50 ,  60  which extend away from the raised portions  70 ,  80 . In this illustration, the top handle portion is  50  and the bottom handle portion  60 . In another embodiment the handle portions  50 ,  60  are also comprised of gripping portions  30 ,  40  for assisting the user in gripping the apparatus while in use. In this illustration, the top gripping portion is  30  and the bottom gripping portion is  40 . In an embodiment the gripping portions  30 ,  40  may be textured areas of the handle portions  50 ,  60  or be comprised of, for example but not a limitation, of a polymer, rubber, or foam overlay. In yet another embodiment, the handle portions  50 ,  60  or the gripping portions  30 ,  40  terminate with end stop portions  10 ,  20 . In this illustration, the top end stop portion is  10  and the bottom end stop portion is  20 . The purpose of the end stop portions  10 ,  20  is to further help the user in the gripping the apparatus and also helps the user from their hands slipping off of the bar.  10  and  20  also designate the top distal end and bottom distal end of the apparatus respectively. In an embodiment the apparatus is made of a rigid material such as but not limited to wood, polymers, foams, and metals or a combination thereof. In another embodiment the apparatus is made of a material which allows the apparatus to have some flex. 
         [0025]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 2 , a side view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Illustrated in this figure are the lengths associated with the various portions of the main body. Starting from top to bottom is the top end stop portion length  150 , the top gripping portion length  130 , the top handle portion length  110 , the cavity portion length  100 , the bottom handle portion length  120 , the bottom gripping portion length  140 , and the bottom end stop portion length  160 . In an embodiment, the gripping portion lengths  130 ,  140  may be positioned at various locations along the handle portion lengths  110 ,  120 . The gripping portion lengths  130 ,  140  may extend half way or all the way to the raised portions  70 ,  80 . In another embodiment, the gripping portion lengths  130 ,  140  may be swapped with their respective handle portion lengths  110 ,  120 . For example, the top gripping portion length  130  would be positioned right next to the top raised portion  70  followed by a top handle portion length  110 , and ending with the top end stop portion  10 . In an embodiment, the overall length of the apparatus from  10  to  20  is about thirty-six inches. However, one skilled in the art would appreciate that due to a user&#39;s size, the apparatus could be sized differently. 
         [0026]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , a top view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Illustrated in this figure is the apparatus as viewed from the top  10  and further illustrating an embodiment where the main body is cylindrical. 
         [0027]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 4 , a bottom view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Illustrated in this figure is the apparatus as viewed from the bottom  20  and further illustrating an embodiment where the main body is cylindrical. 
         [0028]    Reference is lastly made to  FIG. 5 , an environmental view of one example of the exercising and stretching therapy bar being utilized by a user in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. Illustrated in this figure is the apparatus being utilized by a user  200  for a back exercise or physical therapy treatment. Here the user  200  has his left hand  210  gripping the left gripping portion  40  at location  170  and his rights hand  220  gripping the right gripping portion  30  at location  180 . The apparatus is positioned so that the raised portions  70 ,  80  are aligned with the user&#39;s  200  vertebral column residing in the space  90  between the raised portions  70 ,  80 . From this position the user  200  would move the bar up and down his back. This is only an illustration of one exercise out of many that can be achieved with the apparatus. Another advantage of this apparatus is that it can be utilized by a user  200  in the standing, sitting, or supine position. This allows users  200  that may be disabled or have some kind of loss of function to be able to use the apparatus in the position they are able to achieve. In yet another embodiment as depicted at location  70  and  80  labels are rub portions which is a strip of or raised material wrapping around the top of the raised portions  70 ,  80 . This assists in the massaging and physical therapy treatment of an individual. In other embodiments, the strips may be replaced with various other massaging and physical therapy treatment structures such as nubs, semi-circles, and spikes. These structures may be made of various materials such as but not limited to rubbers, polymers, foam, and metals. 
         [0029]    In brief, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of use for an apparatus and method of use for an exercise and stretching bar, which allows for self-massaging and self exercise therapy. 
         [0030]    The disclosed apparatus and method of use is generally described, with examples incorporated as particular embodiments of the invention and to demonstrate the practice and advantages thereof. It is understood that the examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the specification or the claims in any manner. 
         [0031]    To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms may be defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a”, “an”, and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the disclosed device or method, except as may be outlined in the claims. 
         [0032]    Alternative applications for this invention include using this apparatus and method of use for obtaining other types of massaging and exercising actions on the human body. Consequently, any embodiments comprising a one piece or multi piece apparatus having the structures as herein disclosed with similar function shall fall into the coverage of claims of the present invention and shall lack the novelty and inventive step criteria. 
         [0033]    It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and method of use described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
         [0034]    All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent application are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0035]    In the claims, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases. 
         [0036]    The apparatus and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the apparatus and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. 
         [0037]    More specifically, it will be apparent that certain components, which are both shape and material related, may be substituted for the components described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.