LEG MUSCLE STRETCHER
The leg muscle stretcher is a device for stretching the leg muscle to alleviate cramping. The leg muscle stretcher includes three parts, including a handle, a strap and a foot mat. The strap is adjustable in length to accommodate users of different heights.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,904, filed Nov. 17, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention is a leg muscle stretcher utilized for stretching the leg muscles to relieve cramps.
2. Description of the Related Art
Leg cramps, especially cramping in the calf muscle, can be excruciatingly painful. Frequently, leg cramps occur while a person is sitting or lying in bed. The usual remedy is to stand and perform an exercise to stretch the calf muscle and relieve the cramp. Unfortunately, getting out of bed or standing is difficult for people who may be incapacitated for one reason or another. In these situations it would certainly be a boon to have a simplistic device that could be used to alleviate the painful leg cramps. Thus a leg muscle stretcher solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe leg muscle stretcher is a device for stretching the leg muscle to alleviate cramping. The device is simplistic and comprises only three parts, including a handle, a strap and a foot mat. The strap is adjustable to accommodate users of various heights.
Accordingly, the invention presents an exercise device that is compact, lightweight and highly portable. Although indicated to alleviate cramps, the device can also be employed to strengthen the leg muscle. The device would be a welcome adjunct in many venues including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis clinics, gyms, etc. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSReferring to
In use, the user's foot engages the upper surface of the foot mat 16 as shown in
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A leg muscle stretcher, comprising:
- a foot mat made from a flexible material;
- a strap member removably threaded through the foot mat; and
- a handle member, the strap member being removably threaded through the handle member.
2. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, further including a strap adjusting buckle removably attached to said strap member.
3. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said handle member is a tube having open ends.
4. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said foot mat has opposite ends, the foot mat having slots positioned adjacent each of the opposing ends, respectively.
5. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said foot mat has an unobstructed, planar upper surface.
6. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said strap member is fabricated from waterproof nylon material.
7. A leg muscle stretcher, comprising:
- a foot mat made from a flexible material, the foot mat having a planar, unobstructed upper surface;
- a strap member having first and second free ends, the strap member being removably threaded through the foot mat; and
- a tubular, open-ended handle member, the strap member being removably threaded through the tubular, open-ended handle member.
8. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 7, wherein said foot mat has opposite ends and a slot defined therein adjacent each respective end, the strap member being threaded through the slots.
9. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 8, including a strap adjusting buckle removably attached to said strap member, the strap adjusting buckle receiving the first and second free ends of said strap member therethrough.
10. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 7, wherein said strap member is fabricated from waterproof nylon material.
11. A method of relieving leg cramps in a person, comprising the steps of;
- providing a foot-engaging member having an unobstructed planar surface for engaging the person's foot;
- providing an adjustable strap removably affixed to the foot-engaging member;
- providing a handle removably affixed to the adjustable strap;
- adjusting the length of the strap so that the handle can be engaged by the person's hands; and
- pulling the handle toward the person's chest while maintaining the foot-engaging member stationary, thereby stretching muscles of the leg to relieve the leg cramps.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2010
Publication Date: May 19, 2011
Inventors: WENDELL L. KISSNER , Cynthia K. McCord , David R. McCord, SR. (Murfreesboro, TN)
Application Number: 12/948,530
International Classification: A63B 21/00 (20060101);