Apparatus and method of manufacture for an anatomical stretching device

• US 7,981,015 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Power Stretch, LLC
• Original Assignee: Power Stretch, LLC
• Inventors: Reed, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US12/488,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20100323860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 482/907, 482111-113, 482/131, 482/129, 482/148, 482133-135, 482/72
• US Class Current: 482/131
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0242 Lying down
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 Stretching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and systems for increasing flexibility and/or stretching the muscles of a user generally comprise a user support set atop an enclosure. The enclosure houses mechanisms to actuate a cable system, wherein the mechanisms at least one of feed and retract a cable of the cable system. The apparatuses, methods, and systems also comprise footholds proximate to the user support to support at least the feet from a user, wherein the cable system actuates between the footholds, and wherein the footholds actuate in at least a lateral motion to further accentuate increasing flexibility and/or stretching the muscles. The apparatuses, methods, and systems also comprise a control handle coupled to the cable system for the user to grasp, wherein the cable system actuates to either one of increase and release a tension to the grasped control handle, and wherein the control handle comprises at least one control to regulate the either one of increase and release the tension.

Claims

1. An apparatus for increasing the flexibility of a user'"'"'s muscles comprising;

a user support;

a control handle coupled to a cable system, wherein the cable system actuates to either one of increase and release a tension to the control handle, and wherein the control handle comprises at least one control to regulate the either one of increase and release the tension;

a motor coupled to the cable system and coupled to the control handle, the motor configured to at least one of feed and retract a cable of the cable system;

an enclosure wherein the user support is coupled to a top surface of the enclosure and the motor is fastened to an interior portion of the enclosure; and

an extension connected to the enclosure and interfaced to the cable system between the control handle and the motor.

2. The exorcise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of footholds pivotally mounted to opposite sides or the enclosure and in communication with the motor and the control handle.

3. The exercise apparatus according, to claim 1, an electronic interface configured to provide communication with the motor and to provide control of the motor by at least one controller located in the control handle.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a memory in communication with the electronic interlace and configured to at least one of store an exercise routine and provide movements of the exercise routine to the apparatus.