Shoulder stretcher assembly

• US 7,775,949 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VQ ActionCare, LLC
• Original Assignee: VQ ActionCare, LLC
• Inventors: Bowser, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US11/612,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20070099780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 482/57, 482/121, 482/122, 482/123, 482/126, 482/129, 482/904, 482/55, 482/62, 482/124, 482/125, 601/23, 601/24, 601/33
• US Class Current: 482/121
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00043 Exercising devices consisting of a pair of user interfaces connected by flexible elements, e.g. two handles connected by elastic bands skipping ropes A63B5/20; resilient elements A63B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0435 One or both ends being anchored to a rotating element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1609 for anchoring on a chair chairs with exercising means A47C9/002
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1627 for anchoring on or between the vertical posts of a door frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

The shoulder stretcher assembly detachably connects to a chair frame of a chair. It includes an elongated support assembly that includes a substantially vertical portion securely supportable adjacent to a rear portion of a chair frame of a chair. An upper portion of the elongated support assembly projects forwardly from the substantially vertical portion so as to extend over the chair. The upper portion includes a pulley assembly attaching element for attaching a pulley assembly for supporting a cable assembly.

Claims

1. A shoulder stretcher assembly that is detachably connectable to a chair frame of a chair, comprising:

an elongated support assembly, comprising;

a). a substantially vertical portion configured to be securely and detachably connectable to a rear portion of a chair frame of a chair;

b). an upper portion projecting forwardly from said substantially vertical portion, said upper portion including a pulley assembly attaching element removably attaching to a pulley assembly that supports a removably attachable cable assembly adapted to be grasped by a user for exercise

c) a lower mounting assembly securely attachable to a lower section of said rear portion of said chair frame for securely supporting a lower end of said substantially vertical portion; and

,

d) an upper mounting utilizing an upper section of said rear portion of said chair frame for securely supporting an intermediate section of said substantially vertical portion,

wherein said lower mounting assembly comprises a lower mounting bracket assembly, comprising;

i. a lower mounting bracket having an opening a lower end of said substantially vertical portion; and

,

ii. a mating element adapted to matingly engage said lower mounting bracket to secure said lower mounting bracket assembly to said lower section; and

,

said upper mounting includes an opening adapted to accept and securely support said intermediate section of said substantially vertical portion.

2. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated support assembly includes at least one cable anchor bracket securely attached to said vertical portion of said upper portion.

3. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulley assembly comprises:

a) a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

b) a pulley housing attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports a cable assembly.

4. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulley assembly comprises:

a) a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly element; and

,

b) a pulley housing attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports a cable assembly, said pulley housing, comprising;

i. a pulley bracket attached to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

ii. a pair of pulleys attached to swivel in an orthogonal direction from a plane of said pulley bracket.

5. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulley assembly comprises:

a) a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly attaching element, said support assembly attachment element, comprising;

i. a nylon strap attachable to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

ii. a buckle attached to said nylon strap for adjusting the length of said nylon strap; and

,

b) a pulley housing attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports a cable assembly.

6. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1

a) wherein the pulley assembly comprises:

i. a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

ii. a pulley housing attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports a cable assembly;

said shoulder assembly further comprising;

b) a cable assembly, comprising;

i. a pair of cables, each operatively associated with said pulley housing; and

,

ii. a pair of handles, each handle secured at a respective first end of one of said cables; and

,

c) at least one cable anchor bracket securely attached to said vertical portion or said upper portion.

7. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1

a) wherein the pulley assembly, comprising:

i. a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

ii. a pulley housing attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports a cable assembly;

said shoulder assembly further comprising;

b) a cable assembly, comprising;

i. a pair of cables, each cable including a cable attaching element at a respective second end of each of said cables; and

,

ii. a pair of handles, each handle secured at a respective first end of one of said cables; and

,

c) at least one cable anchor bracket securely attached to said vertical portion or said upper portion for securing said cable attaching elements.

8. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper portion terminates with said pulley assembly attaching element.

9. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower mounting assembly comprises a lower mounting bracket assembly and said upper mounting comprises an upper mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting bracket assembly.

10. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein

a) said lower section comprises a horizontal crossbar connecting two rear legs of a chair, said mating element comprises a bottom plate for matingly engaging said lower mounting bracket for securing said lower mounting bracket assembly to said horizontal crossbar;

and,

b) said upper mounting comprises an upper mounting bracket assembly securely attachable to an upper section of said rear portion of said chair frame, said upper mounting bracket assembly for securely supporting an intermediate section of said substantially vertical portion, said upper section comprising a center column near the top of a backrest of the chair, said upper mounting bracket assembly, comprising;

i. an upper mounting bracket having said opening for accepting and for securely supporting said intermediate section of said substantially vertical portion; and

,

ii. an upper bracket plate for matingly engaging said upper mounting bracket for securing said upper mounting bracket assembly to said center column.

11. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated support assembly, comprises:

a) a lower straight support tube, comprising a main section of said substantially vertical portion;

b) an upper support tube, having a straight lower part thereof and a curved upper part thereof, said straight lower part comprising another section of said substantially vertical portion, and said curved upper part comprising said upper portion of said elongated support assembly; and

, c) a tube connector bar for coupling said lower straight tube with said upper support tube.

12. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein said elongated support assembly, comprises:

a) a lower straight support tube, comprising a main section of said substantially vertical portion;

b) an upper support tube, having a straight lower part thereof and a curved upper part thereof, said straight lower part comprising another section of said substantially vertical portion, and said curved upper part comprising said upper portion of said elongated support assembly; and

,

c) a tube connector bar for coupling said lower straight tube with said upper support tube, said tube connector bar having a central spacing ridge for spacing said lower straight support tube from said upper support tube and allowing relative rotation therebetween.

13. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1, further comprising a chair for attachment to said elongated support assembly.

14. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulley assembly comprises:

a) a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

b) a pulley housing securely attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports supporting a cable assembly, said support assembly attachment element and said pulley housing being an integral unit, an opening provided in said support assembly attachment element that provides access to said pulley assembly attaching element, said pulley housing, comprising;

i. a pulley bracket integrally attached to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

ii. a pair of pulleys attached to swivel in an orthogonal direction from a plane of said pulley bracket.

15. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulley assembly comprises:

a) a support assembly attachment element for removably attaching said pulley assembly to said pulley assembly attaching element, said pulley assembly attaching element comprising a sleeve that fits over an end upper portion; and

b) a pulley housing securely attached to said support assembly attachment element that supports a cable assembly, said support assembly attachment element and said pulley housing being an integral unit, said pulley housing, comprising;

i. a pulley bracket integrally attached to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

ii. a pair of pulleys attached to swivel in an orthogonal direction from a plane of said pulley bracket.

16. The shoulder stretcher assembly of claim 1 wherein the pulley assembly, comprising a cable/pulley assembly comprises:

a) a pulley housing including a support assembly attachment element removably attaching said pulley housing to said pulley assembly attaching element; and

,

b) a cable assembly, comprising;

i. a cable operatively associated with said pulley housing; and

,

ii. a pair of handles, each handle secured at a respective end of said cable.

17. An exercise system, comprising:

a) an exercise chair having a chair frame; and

,

b) an elongated support assembly, comprising;

i. a substantially vertical portion configured to be securely and detachably connectable to a rear portion of said chair frame of said chair;

ii. an upper portion projecting forwardly from said substantially vertical portion so, said upper portion including a pulley assembly attaching element removably attaching to a pulley assembly that supports a removably attachable cable assembly adapted to be grasped by a user for exercise

iii) a lower mounting assembly securely attachable to a lower section of said rear portion of said chair frame for securely supporting a lower end of said substantially vertical portion, said lower mounting assembly comprising a lower mounting bracket assembly, comprising;

a lower mounting bracket having an opening a lower end of said substantially vertical portion; and

,

a mating element adapted to matingly engage said lower mounting bracket to secure said lower mounting bracket assembly to said lower section; and

,

wherein said exercise system further comprises an upper mounting securely associated with an upper section of said rear portion of said chair frame, said mounting having an opening adapted to accept and support an intermediate section of said substantially vertical portion of said elongated support assembly.

18. The exercise system of claim 17, wherein said lower section of said rear portion of said chair frame for securely supporting a lower end of said substantially vertical portion comprises a leg structure of said chair frame.