BACK STRETCHING APPARATUS

Abstract

A back stretching apparatus includes an upstanding frame defining a stretching zone wherein a user can move a pair of lightly weighted hand grips between an overhead reaching position and a bent over stretched position. A light weight resistance is provided by a weight stack carried within upright frame members and interconnected by an internal pulley and cable system. A stabilization bar is disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and provides the user a target for the stretching and stabilization of the user in the stretched position. The light weight resistance permits the user to stretch their back muscles without exertion to limit the likelihood of back injury.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to exercise apparatus for stretching the back.

Tight back muscles for individuals are a source of pain which can be exacerbated as a source of injury if the individual does not properly stretch their back muscles prior to exercising. While there are other back machines on the market, they can be cumbersome and complicated to use. Often, the user must use a conditioning exercise apparatus that is intended for conditioning and toning, rather than stretching. Consequently, the user may not adequately stretch their back muscles prior to engaging in a toning and conditioning regimen, which may lead to injury.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved back stretching apparatus that is targeted to stretching, without the risk of toning or conditioning. It is less demanding on a person's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a back stretching apparatus includes an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation. A cross member interconnects a top end of the left and the right upright frame member. A left and a right extension project forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right upright frame member. A user selectable weight stack is carried within the left and the right upright frame member. A plurality of pulleys are disposed within the cross member and a pulley is carried within each of the left and the right extension. A cable interconnects the user selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions. The cable is supported by the plurality of pulleys and is configured to extend and retract the hand grips in response to a user stretching regimen.

In some embodiments of the invention, the back stretching apparatus may also include a stabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element. A left stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnects the left upright frame member and the stabilization bar and a right stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnects the right upright frame member and the stabilization bar.

In other aspects of the invention, the left and the right upright frame members, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection arm are formed from a plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements. The telescopically adjustable frame elements have a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, such that the plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position.

In yet other aspects of the invention, a weight traversal slot is defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right upright frame members. A weight selection aperture is defined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack and a weight selection pin is configured to be received through the slot and the weight selection aperture. The weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position to a position adjacent the stabilization bar.

In other embodiments, a stabilization bar elevation slot is defined in a front face of the left and the right upright frame members. An end coupling of the left and the right stabilization bar is received within the stabilization bar elevation slot.

In some embodiments, a back stretching apparatus includes an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation. A cross member interconnects a top end of the left and the right upright frame member and a left and a right extension project forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right upright frame member. A stabilization bar is horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element. A stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnects the left and the right upright frame member and the stabilization bar, wherein the upstanding frame and the stabilization bar define a stretching zone.

A cable interconnects a user selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions. The cable is supported by a plurality of internal pulleys and configured to extend and retract the hand grips between an initial overhead position proximal to the left and the right extension and an extended position proximal to the stabilization bar.

The left and the right upright frame members, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection arm may each be formed of a plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements. A plurality of adjustment apertures extend through a sidewall of the frame elements. The plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position defining the stretching zone. A weight traversal slot may be defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right upright frame members. A weight selection aperture is defined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack. A weight selection pin is configured to be received through the slot and the weight selection aperture. The weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position and a position adjacent the stabilization bar.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a back stretching apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the back stretching apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the back stretching apparatus shown in an initial position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the back stretching apparatus shown in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an improved apparatus for stretching the back muscles of a user. As seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-4, the back stretching apparatus includes an upstanding frame 40 configured with a plurality of internal pulleys 10 to guide a cable 14 operatively coupled between a handle 16 and a user selectable weight 20 carried within the upstanding frame 40. The upstanding frame 40 includes a left and a right upright members 42 interconnected with an overhead cross member 44. A left and a right front extension arm 12 project forwardly of the cross member 44 in a spaced apart relation at an intermediate portion of the cross member 44. The left and the right front extension arms 12 are spaced generally shoulder width apart from each other.

The upright frame members 42 include a top section and a bottom section that are telescopically received and vertically adjustable via a pin 28 that is inserted in a plurality of adjustment holes 26 that extend through a sidewall of the upright frame members 42. The upright frame members 42 may be adjusted so as to position the cross member 44 in an overhead position relative to the user 30.

The bottom section of the upright frame member 42 is configured with a slot 32 extending through a sidewall of the upright frame member 42. The plurality of weights 20 are stacked within the bottom section of the upright frame member 42, wherein the stacked weights have an aperture configured to receive a weight selection pin 34 through the slot 32 for the user select a desired weight for their stretching regimen. The upright frame members 42 may also be configured with a foot 24 to support the upright frame members 42 against a floor surface.

The upstanding frame 40 is also configured with a stabilization bar 22 that is laterally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members 42. The stabilization bar 22 is vertically adjustable via a telescoping stabilization bar support element 18. The stabilization bar 22 may also be supported by a projection bar 46 that is extensible in a forward facing side of the upright frame members 42. As with the upright frame members 42 and the stabilization bar support element 18, the projection bar is adjustable in length via a pin 28 and aperture 26 configuration. The projection bar 46 is coupled to a slot 48 defined along a front surface of the upright member 42 to accommodate the vertical adjustment of the projection bar 46 with changes in the height of the stabilization bar support element 18. The stabilization bar 22 is adjustable so that the user 30 may bend forwardly about the waist to reach the stabilization bar 22.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upstanding frame 40 defines a stretching zone in which the user may perform stretching of the lower back. The stretching apparatus is configured to permit the user to grasp the hand grips 16 with an overhead reach, bend about the waist, and reach their hands to a point proximal to the stabilization bar 22. The user 30 may position the stabilization bar 22 at a desired stretching distance in each of a horizontal and a vertical displacement to achieve a stretching of their back muscles prior to engaging in an exercise regimen.

In use, the back stretch machine enables the user 30, from a standing vertical position, to stretch the muscles of their back through a slow bending forward of the waist motion. The purpose is to stretch the back muscles to loosen tight muscles and to aid in the prevention of injury. The individual using the equipment would stand upright while holding the hand grips 16 and bend slowly at the waist until the hands come in contact with the platform stabilization bar 22, at this point they would rise slowly until coming back to an upright position. This process would be repeated several times until the user 30 felt their back muscles to be adequately loosened. As will be appreciated, the user 30 would have the option of using both hand grips 16 simultaneously or using one hand grip 16 at a time depending upon the user's needs. The user 30 would set the height of the hand grips 16 and the height and distance of the stabilization bar 22 to suit their particular stature and their desired bending distance.

This stretching regimen is be facilitated through resistance created by the cable 14 and pulleys 10 operatively coupled to the set of weights 20. The desired weight can be set through placing the pin 34 in the weight selection hole located on each weight quantity. The amount of weight can be changed by simply removing the pin 34 and placing it at the quantity desired.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A back stretching apparatus, comprising:

an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation, a cross member interconnecting a top end of the left and the right upright frame member, and a left and a right extension projecting forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right upright frame member;

a user selectable weight stack carried within the left and the right upright frame member;

a plurality of pulleys disposed within the cross member;

a pulley carried within each of the left and the right extension; and

a cable interconnecting the user selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions, wherein the cable is supported by the plurality of pulleys and configured to extend and retract the hand grips in response to a user stretching regimen.

2. The back stretching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a stabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element.

3. The back stretching apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a left stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnecting the left upright frame member and the stabilization bar; and

a right stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnecting the right upright frame member and the stabilization bar.

4. The back stretching apparatus of claim 3, wherein the left and the right upright frame members, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection arm further comprise:

a plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements;

a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, wherein the plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position.

5. The back stretching apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a weight traversal slot defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right upright frame members;

a weight selection aperture defined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack; and

a weight selection pin configured to be received through the slot and the weight selection aperture.

6. The back stretching apparatus of claim 5, wherein the weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position to a position adjacent the stabilization bar.

7. The back stretching apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a stabilization bar elevation slot defined in a front face of the left and the right upright frame members, wherein an end coupling of the left and the right stabilization bar is received within the stabilization bar elevation slot.

8. A back stretching apparatus, comprising:

an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation, a cross member interconnecting a top end of the left and the right upright frame member, and a left and a right extension projecting forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right upright frame member;

a stabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element;

a stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnecting the left and the right upright frame member and the stabilization bar, wherein the upstanding frame and the stabilization bar define a stretching zone;

a cable interconnecting a user selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions, wherein the cable is supported by a plurality of internal pulleys and configured to extend and retract the hand grips between an initial overhead position proximal to the left and the right extension and an extended position proximal to the stabilization bar.

9. The back stretching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the left and the right upright frame members, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection arm further comprise:

a plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements;

a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, wherein the plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position defining the stretching zone.

10. The back stretching apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a weight traversal slot defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right upright frame members;

a weight selection aperture defined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack; and

a weight selection pin configured to be received through the slot and the weight selection aperture.

11. The back stretching apparatus of claim 10, wherein the weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position to a position adjacent the stabilization bar.