Adjustable stretching machine

• US 7,169,098 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2000
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen H. Mcganty
• Original Assignee: Stephen H. Mcganty
• Inventors: McGanty, Stephen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amerson; Lori
• Application Number:
  US09/453,803
• Time in Patent Office: 2,528 Days
• Field of Search: 482/142, 482/907, 482/908, 482/146, 482/147, 482 79- 80, 482 71- 72, 482135-138, 482145-148, 482/34, 482/140, 482/121, 482122-126, 482/14, 482/19, D21/665, D21/668, D21/671, D21/685, D21/686, D21/688, D21/689
• US Class Current: 482/146
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0237 for the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0161 Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet

Abstract

An adjustable stretching device 6 includes a stretching surface 20 that is raised off of the floor on which the user stands, flexes, and stretches the calf and lowers the leg muscles. The stretching surface 20 can be angled along a primary longitudinal angle 26 to produce a more intense stretch. Specifically, the stretching surface 20 can be angled up to 90 degrees. Additionally, the user can put a leg up on the center pad 50 and stretch the hamstring muscles. The adjustable stretching device 6 also includes a padded framework that allows a user to put a leg up on any of the bars at different heights and further stretch the leg muscles. The padding also provides protection for the bar. The stretching surface 20 of the adjustable stretching device 6 is preferably a dual stretching surface 20 that is angled either away from or towards the longitudinal centerline of the dual stretching surface 20 along the primary longitudinal angle 26. This angle can range between 0 and 45 degrees. The angle or wedge can be either integral to the platform or removable and clipped into place at different angles or slowly molded into desired angles. The adjustable stretching device 6 has a handrail assembly 40, which is foldable in nature for storage. The handrail assembly 40 also provides leverage for a more intense stretch. The adjustable stretching device 6 also includes magnets to provide better circulation for the feet or another desired area.

Claims

1. An adjustable stretching device for static leg stretching, the device comprising:

a base platform; and

dual stretching surfaces associated with the base platform that intersect along a longitudinal central line, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are angularly adjustable along the longitudinal central line, and are also angularly adjustable transverse to the longitudinal central line, and

wherein the dual stretching surfaces and the base platform define non-moving surfaces against which to stretch, and wherein the dual stretching surfaces are free from reciprocal motion and enable non-reciprocal stretching from a standing position.

2. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are angularly adjustable from a range of 0 to 45 degrees along the longitudinal central line.

3. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein angularly adjustability of the dual stretching surfaces along the longitudinal central line facilitates a user maintaining planted heels on the stretching surfaces, while also allowing adjustability of the stretch intensity provided by the stretching device.

4. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are angularly adjustable from a range of 1 to 4 degrees transverse to the longitudinal central line.

5. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the angularly adjustability of the dual stretching surfaces transverse to the longitudinal central line facilitates more effectively stretching of the leg muscles and tendons by locking the joints of the foot to prevent bone jamming.

6. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable stretching device is ergonomically designed to facilitate stretching of the leg muscles and tendons.

7. The adjustable stretching device of claim 6, wherein the adjustable stretching device is ergonomically designed to facilitate stretching of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon.

8. The adjustable stretching device of claim 6, wherein the adjustable stretching device is ergonomically designed to facilitate stretching of the muscles in the front of the leg.

9. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are operatively associated with one another.

10. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are integral with the platform.

11. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are removable from the platform.

12. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable stretching device is portable, and further comprises hand holds to facilitate transportation of the adjustable stretching device.

13. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable stretching device is at least partially hollow, thereby facilitating housing of selected items within the stretching device.

14. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable stretching device further comprises hand rails operatively associated with the base platform of the stretching device.

15. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable stretching device further comprises magnets for increasing circulation.

16. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are clipped into angular position with respect to the base platform of the adjustable stretching device.

17. The adjustable stretching device of claim 1, wherein the dual stretching surfaces slowly molded.

18. An adjustable stretching device for static leg stretching, the device comprising:

a base platform; and

at least one stretching surface associated with the base platform, wherein the at least one stretching surface is angularly adjustable along two axes that are substantially normal to each other, the angularly adjustable along two axes facilitating effective static leg stretching by compelling a stretching user'"'"'s heel to remain planted on the stretching surface during stretching to lock the joints of the foot and thereby minimize or prevent bone jamming, and

wherein the dual stretching surfaces define non-moving surfaces against which to stretch during a stretching period, and are individually and non-reciprocally adjustable during a non-stretching period, and wherein the dual stretching surfaces enable non-coordinated, non-reciprocal stretching from a standing position.

19. An adjustable, standing user-engaging, stretching device for static leg stretching, the device comprising:

a base platform; and

dual, standing user-engaging, stretching surfaces associated with the base platform that intersect along a longitudinal central line, wherein the dual stretching surfaces are angularly adjustable along the longitudinal central line, and are also angularly adjustable transverse to the longitudinal central line, and

wherein the dual, standing user-engaging, stretching surfaces define non-moving surfaces against which to stretch during a stretching period, and are individually and non-reciprocally adjustable during a non-stretching period, and wherein the dual stretching surfaces enable non-coordinated, non-reciprocal stretching of each leg of a user independently.