Muscle stretching trainer system

• US 5,620,404 A
• Filed: 08/16/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gym-Trix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gym-Trix, Inc.
• Inventors: Eyman, Waldorf C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US08/515,961
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 297/423.44, 297/423.41, 108/56.3, 108/64, 108/91, 482/25, 482/35, 482/907, 482/52, 446/108, 446/112, 446/115
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0488 by spreading the legs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 Stretching

Abstract

The invention provides a system for aiding a person in stretching his or her muscles, such as a gymnast. The system comprises a trapezoid shaped base having a pair of pivot grooves formed in a top surface thereof to accommodate adjacent ends of a pair of boards. The spacing of the primary base from the floor or other support surface may be varied by using one or more secondary bases. The various components of the system may be arranged or configured to meet the stretching needs of the user or may be arranged to function as a step for step aerobics. The purpose of the muscle stretching trainer system is to allow for the isolation of muscle groups in order to develop flexibility.

Claims

1. A Kit of parts for stretching muscles of a user, said kit of parts comprising:

a primary base having an upper first surface supporting one of a pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves or a pair of adjacent feet, a lower opposed second surface being connected to said first surface by a sidewall, and said primary base having a width; and

a pair of elongate boards each including the other of said elongate pivot groove or a foot, formed in a surface thereof adjacent at least one end of each of said elongate boards, for mating with one of said pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves or said pair of adjacent feet su,ported by said first surface, each of said elongate boards having e width substantially equal to the width of said primary base, and each said foot being sized to intimately engage with one of said pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves to facilitate pivoting movement between said board and said primary base.

2. The kit of parts according to claim 1, wherein each of said elongate boards has a foot formed adjacent both opposed ends thereof, and both feet are sized to intimately engage with one of the pivot grooves provided in the primary base and facilitate pivoting movement between the board and the primary base.

3. The kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein said kit further comprises a secondary base which is interconnectable with said primary base to space said primary base a desired distance from a support surface.

4. The kit of parts according to claim 3, wherein said kit further comprises a plurality of secondary bases which are interconnectable with said primary base to space said primary base a desired distance from a support surface.

5. The kit of Darts according to claim 4, wherein said kit comprises four secondary bases which are interconnectable with said primary base to space said primary base a desired distance from a support surface.

6. The kit of parts according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of secondary bases has a recess formed in a second surface thereof which is sized to intimately engage with a first surface of another secondary base to provide a stable stacked interconnection between two adjacent secondary bases.

7. The kit of parts according to claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of secondary bases has a reinforcing internal wall to prevent each said secondary base from collapsing when subjected to a load.

8. The kit of parts according to claim 6, wherein said second surface of said primary base is provided with a locking tab and at least one of said plurality of secondary bases is provided with a tab groove in said first surface thereof, and said locking tab is located to engage with said tab groove of said at least one of said plurality of secondary bases to interconnect said primary base with said at least one secondary base.

9. The kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein a pad secured to each of said pair of elongate boards opposite on the surface of said board supporting said pivot feet.

10. The kit of parts according to claim 3, wherein said primary base is trapezoidal in transverse cross sectional shape and has a width which is smaller than a width of said at least one secondary base.

11. The kit of parts according to claim 4, wherein said pivot feet and said pair of adjacent pivot grooves are rounded to facilitate pivoting movement therebetween.

12. The kit of parts according to claim 4, wherein said pivot feet, said tab groove provided in a top surface of at least one of said secondary bases and said pair of adjacent pivot grooves have a semi-circular cross section.

13. The kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein a comforter is placed on at least one elongate board opposite on the surface of said board supporting said pivot feet.

14. An apparatus for stretching muscles of a user, said apparatus comprising:

a primary base having an upper first surface supporting one of a pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves or a pair of adjacent feet, a lower opposed second surface being connected to said first surface by a sidewall, and said primary base having a width;

a pair of elongate boards each including the other of said elongate pivot groove or a foot, formed in a surface thereof adjacent at least one end of each of said elongate boards, for mating with one of said pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves or said pair of adjacent feet supported by said first surface, each of said elongate boards having a width substantially equal to the width of said primary base, and each said foot being sized to intimately engage with one of said pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves to facilitate pivoting movement between said board and said primary base; and

a plurality of secondary bases which are interconnectable with said primary base to space said primary base a desired distance from a support surface, each of said plurality of secondary bases having a recess formed in a second surface thereof which is sized to intimately engage with a first surface of another secondary base to provide a stable stacked interconnection between two adjacent secondary bases, and each of said plurality of secondary bases having a reinforcing internal wall to prevent each said secondary base from collapsing when subjected to a load.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said second surface of said primary base is provided with a locking tab and at least one of said plurality of secondary bases is provided with a tab groove in said first surface thereof, and said locking tab is located to engage with said tab groove of said at least one of said plurality of secondary bases to interconnect said primary base with said at least one secondary base.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a pad secured to each of said pair of elongate boards opposite on the surface of said board supporting said pivot feet.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said primary base is trapezoidal in transverse cross sectional shape and has a width which is smaller than a width of said at least one secondary base.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said pivot feet, said tab groove provided in a top surface of at least one of said secondary bases and said pair of adjacent pivot grooves have a semi-circular cross section.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a comforter is supported on at least one elongate board opposite on the surface of said board supporting said pivot feet.

20. A method for stretching muscles comprising the steps of:

providing a primary base with an upper first surface including one of a pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves or a pair of adjacent feet, a lower opposed second surface being connected to said first surface by a sidewall, and said primary base having a width; and

forming, adjacent at least one end of a pair of elongate boards, the other of said elongate pivot groove or a foot, for mating with the other of said pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves or said pair of adjacent feet supported by said first surface, each of said elongate boards having a width substantially equal to the width of said primary base, and each said foot being sized to intimately engage with one of said pair of adjacent elongate pivot grooves to facilitate pivoting movement between the board and the primary base;

interconnecting at least one secondary base with said primary base to space said primary base a desired distance from a support surface; and

providing a reinforcing internal wall in said at least one secondary base to prevent said at least one secondary base from collapsing when subjected to a load.