FACILITATED STRETCHING MACHINE
A system to facilitate stretching for a user, including a force-applying component and a subject-engaging surface, such that the force applying element is attached to a first end of a rotatable element that rotates about a first point of secured support, or fulcrum, and the subject engaging surface is operatively connected to a second end of said rotatable element, such that application of force via the force-applying component causes rotational movement of the subject-engaging surface toward the user.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/454,810, filed on Mar. 9, 2017, and entitled FACILITATED STRETCHING MACHINE. The complete disclosure of the above application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe subject matter of this application relates to equipment that facilitates stretching exercises without the need for help of a personal trainer.
The importance of fitness and exercise is becoming increasingly prevalent within the daily lives of many people beyond those of athletes. Stretching is frequently included within many exercise regimens due to many inherent physical and mental benefits that come with stretching. Some benefits of engaging in a proper stretching regimen include promoting flexibility for daily activity, improving strength, preventing injury, preventing soreness, stimulating blood flow, promoting good posture, and generally promoting body awareness.
Many beneficial stretches, however, require the help of an additional person, or trainer, to position and apply pressure to a targeted muscle or body part to stretch. Individuals who exercise alone often find themselves using stationary implements, or a wall, to stretch against, but methods still do not provide the same level of stretching that a trainer could provide. Attempting stretches alone is especially troublesome for the elderly or those with physical disabilities, because they often may be unable to position themselves to stretch without the help of another individual. In addition, even if an individual is capable of stretching on his or her own, he or she may not have the requisite knowledge of how to stretch. Performing stretches improperly may lead to temporary discomfort, dislocation, or even injury.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, the present invention is a system to facilitate stretching for a user, including a force-applying component and a subject-engaging surface, such that the force applying element is attached to a first end of a rotatable element that rotates about a first point of secured support, or fulcrum, and the subject engaging surface is operatively connected to a second end of said rotatable element, such that application of force via the force-applying component causes rotational movement of the subject-engaging surface toward the user.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a system for promoting stretching, including a first element capable of accepting a weight and a second element having a surface, wherein the first element is operatively connected to the second element such that the accepted weight associated with the first element actuates the surface by rotation about a fulcrum to apply a force against a user's body.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The accompanying figures represent three embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly,
In the embodiment represented by
The system 14 may also include a third element, or a force or pressure relief mechanism 34. Such a mechanism 34 may be user-operated to release some, or all, of the force in the direction applied to the target part of the user's body represented by arrow 32. In the embodiment shown in
The device 48 may also include a force or pressure-relieving mechanism 64. Such a mechanism may include an elongate bar 66 having a first end 68 and a second end 70. The first end 68 may be operatively connected to either or both the subject-engaging surface 54 and the force-applying element 56 via a mechanical or electrical connection 71. The elongate bar 66 is rotatable about a second point of secured support, or fulcrum 72 and may have a grippable handle 74 located at the second end 70 of the elongate bar 66. If a user 50 is using the device 48 such that he or she is stretching as represented by
A third embodiment of the present in
Similar to the first and second embodiments described herein, the third embodiment may also include a force-relieving mechanism 100. Such a mechanism may include an elongate bar 102 that is rotatable around a second point of secured support, or fulcrum 104. A first end 106 of the elongate bar 102 may be connected to either or both the rotatable bar 90 and the force applying element 94. In the embodiment shown herein, the end 106 of the elongate bar 102 is operatively connected to both the rotatable bar 90 and the force applying element 94 via a connection 114 such that the user may urge the elongate bar 102 in a second rotational direction, or a counter clockwise direction 108. Such rotation of the elongate bar 102 in turn causes the rotatable bar 90 to rotate in a second rotational direction, or a counter clockwise direction, as represented by arrow 110 and therefore relieves some or all of the pressure applied by the subject engaging surface 86. A second end 112 of the elongate bar 102 may be shaped to accept a user's foot, in some embodiments of the invention, the second end may be coated to minimize the potential for slippage during use.
The force-applying element 20, 56 or 94 may comprise a mechanical device which is capable of accepting one or more weights 116 (such as shown in
Embodiments of the present invention provide a variety of uses that facilitate assisted stretching exercises. Such embodiments may include stretches that promote athletic stretches, weight and strength training stretches, flexibility and muscle stabilization and yoga and pilates stretches. Stretches for various individual goals may use the disclosure herein to direct a force to a target body region to promote targeting stretching, beyond the examples shown in the figures herein.
It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance with principles of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents or any other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated. The word “comprise” or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method.
Claims
1. A system to facilitate stretching for a user, comprising:
- a first element selectively capable of applying a force directed toward said user via a second element,
- wherein said second element is operatively connected to said first element, such that when a force is selectively applied to the first element, said second element translates said force and moves a surface in a first direction.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third element operatively connected to said first and said second element such that the third element may be selectively operable to limit movement of said surface in said first direction.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a supporting surface capable of supporting the user in a position, such that the supporting surface can resist applied force applied by the first element.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said second element is attached to a first end of a rotatable element that rotates about a first fulcrum, and said second element is operatively connected to a second end of said rotatable element, such that application of force via first element causes rotational movement of the surface in a first rotational direction.
5. The system of claim 4, further including a user-operated release element connected to said first end of said rotatable element which functions to release force applied by the first element.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the release element comprises an elongate bar with a first end operatively connected to said force-applying component and a second end manually-operable by said user.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first element is a surface.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein the third element comprises an elongate bar with a first end operatively connected to the second element and a manually operable second end.
9. The system of claim 3, wherein the supporting surface remains stationary when the surface is moved in the first direction.
10. A method of facilitating stretching, comprising:
- providing a first element having a surface; and
- providing a second element capable of accepting a weight, wherein the first element is operatively connected to the second element such that the accepted weight associated with the first element actuates the surface by rotation about a fulcrum to apply a force against a user's body.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a third element capable of reducing the applied force against the user's body.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2019
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2019
Inventor: Robert F. Blackmore (Lake Oswego, OR)
Application Number: 16/545,378