U.S. patent application number 10/487792 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for method and apparatus for performing stretching exercises.
Invention is credited to Flynn, Thomas S..
Application Number | 20040204302 10/487792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23217984 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040204302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flynn, Thomas S. |
October 14, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for performing stretching exercises
Abstract
The invention provides a strap apparatus for stretching and
strengthening muscles and connective tissue, and includes a segment
of strap (12) material having a first end, a medial portion, and a
second end, having a loop (14) formed in the first end, length
adjustment means formed in the medial portion, and a connector
element (26) attached to the second end. The connector element is
adapted for releasable connection to an anchor article, e.g., an
extremity cuff member or a clothing article, bearing a receiver
adapted for releasable attachment to the connector element.
Inventors: |
Flynn, Thomas S.; (Larkspur,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Johnson & Stainbrook
Suite 203
3558 Round Barn Boulevard
Sata Rosa
CA
95403
US
|
Family ID: |
23217984 |
Appl. No.: |
10/487792 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 22, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US02/27006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60313973 |
Aug 22, 2001 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 ;
482/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00069 20130101;
A63B 21/4011 20151001; A63B 21/16 20130101; A63B 21/4015 20151001;
A63B 21/1645 20130101; A63B 21/1663 20130101; A63B 21/0442
20130101; A63B 21/4025 20151001; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B
21/00043 20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101;
A63B 21/00061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 ;
482/125 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed as invention is:
1. A strap apparatus for stretching and strengthening muscles and
connective tissue, said strap apparatus comprising: a segment of
strap material, said segment having a first end, a medial portion,
and a second end, having a loop formed in said first end, length
adjustment means formed in said medial portion, and a connector
element attached to said second end; and an anchor article bearing
a receiver, said receiver adapted for releasable attachment to said
connector element.
2. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said strap material is
non-elastic.
3. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said length adjustment
means comprises an adjustable buckle.
4. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said length adjustment
means comprises a strap retractor member.
5. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector element
comprises a swivel.
6. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector element
comprises a carabiner.
7. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector element
comprises a clip.
8. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector element
comprises a hook.
9. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor article
comprises a shoe.
10. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor article
comprises a glove.
11. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anchor article
comprises an extremity cuff.
12. The strap apparatus of claim 11 wherein said extremity cuff
member comprises a padded loop.
13. The strap apparatus of claim 11 wherein said extremity cuff
member is adjustable in diameter.
14. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises
an eyelet.
15. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises
a D-ring.
16. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises
an O-ring.
17. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises
a fabric loop.
18. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector element
includes means for resistance exercise.
19. The strap apparatus of claim 18 wherein said means for
imparting resistance comprises a resistance band.
20. The strap apparatus of claim 1 wherein said segment of strap
material bears length indicia.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to exercise
equipment and sports apparatus, and more specifically to an
improved method and apparatus for performing stretching and
strengthening exercises for the human body.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is widely recognized and generally accepted that proper
stretching and strengthening of the muscles is an important aspect
to overall fitness and health. However, most known stretching
regimens simply provide independent exercises or movements that the
individual must perform. Some forms of structural apparatus and
exercise accessories have been designed for use in stretching,
e.g., to provide a stationary surface or bar against which a user
may stretch, but these structures can be large and unwieldy, and
therefore of limited utility. Furthermore, no known apparatus
enables the combined benefits of stretching and strengthening in a
simple, versatile form.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0003] The method and apparatus for performing stretching and
strengthening exercises of this invention provides a strap
apparatus for stretching and strengthening muscles and connective
tissue. The inventive apparatus includes a segment of strap
material having a first end, a medial portion, and a second end,
having a loop formed in the first end, length adjustment means
formed in the medial portion, and a connector element attached to
the second end. The connector element is adapted for releasable
connection to an anchor article, e.g., an extremity cuff member or
a clothing article, bearing a receiver adapted for releasable
attachment to the connector element. Variations include, but are
not limited to, the following: the strap material may be
non-stretching (non-elastic); the length adjustment means may
consist of an adjustable buckle or strap retractor member; the
connector element may consist of a swivel, carabiner, clip, snap,
hook, or other releasable fastener; the clothing article may
consist of a shoe or glove to which an appropriate receiver has
been affixed; the extremity cuff member may consist of a padded
loop, and may be adjustable in diameter; the receiver may consist
of an eyelet, a D-ring, an O-ring, or a fabric loop; the connector
element may include means for imparting resistance such as a
resistance band; and the segment of strap material may bear length
indicia.
[0004] Applications for the inventive apparatus include use in
gyms, health clubs, physical therapist offices, orthopedic offices,
sports medicine centers, homes, professional sports teams,
hospitals, schools, senior citizen homes, massage and bodywork
centers, chiropractors offices, recreation centers, handicap
centers, dance centers, and yoga centers.
[0005] The apparatus can be used to stretch every major muscle
group of the body. The commercial version of the apparatus may
include explanatory materials such as charts, names and diagrams
for specific stretch positions, either on the packaging for the
apparatus or in a written manual and/or videotape demo.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for performing
stretching and strengthening exercises of this invention;
[0007] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the inventive apparatus as
affixed to a user's shoe by a cuff or strap member; and
[0008] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the inventive apparatus as
affixed to a user's shoe by a ring element integral to the
shoe.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for performing
stretching and strengthening exercises of this invention. The
inventive apparatus 10 includes a segment of strap material 12
having a first end 14, a medial portion 16, and a second end 18,
having a loop 20 formed in the first end 14, length adjustment
means 22 formed in the medial portion 16, and a connector element
24 attached to the second end 18. The connector element 24 is
adapted for releasable connection to an anchor article, e.g., an
extremity cuff member 26, bearing a receiver 28 adapted for
releasable attachment to the connector element 24. Here, the
connector element includes a resistance band 30.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the inventive apparatus as
affixed to a user's shoe 40 by a cuff or strap member 42 (bearing
hook and loop material. The shoe can also have hook and loop
material on it, which may help maintain position and security of
the strap.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the inventive apparatus as
affixed to a user's modified shoe 50 by a ring element 52 integral
to the shoe. Such a ring or means of attachment can be also
temporarily secured by being held at the base of the shoelaces or
other means.
[0012] The present invention thus provides an innovative design and
versatile system for stretching and strengthening exercises for the
human body. The apparatus itself preferably includes:
[0013] a means of attachment to the body (e.g., a cuff or clothing
article with the appropriate receiver);
[0014] a means to provide some degree of resistance (e.g., tubing,
resistance bands, spring, or strap) for strengthening. This
resistance feature also provides some "give" during stretching
exercises, thereby making those exercises safer (the "give" helps
prevent over-stretching, especially important for people who have
not been stretching); and
[0015] a means for length adjustment (e.g., a strap) which
preferably includes:
[0016] a loop or handle to manually hold on to, or to close in a
door frame, or to attach around a fixed object Attachment can be
accomplished, for example, by taking the other end (e.g., the cuff
around a fixed object and then threading it through the loop. Being
connected to an adjustable strap makes it possible to adjust the
length of the strap and thereby the amount of resistance or
stretch. This loop or handle can be fixed to the means for
adjustment (e.g., strap), or it can be removable and can be
adjustable in size; or
[0017] a means to attach to a fixed frame with means such as a
pulley and a cam cleat (or other means to secure) which allows the
user to adjust the amount of stretch or resistance.
[0018] All of the above components can be attached to each other by
various connections and can be in different forms. For example:
[0019] The means of attachment to the body can be a padded cuff, a
strap or loop secured in different ways, a glove, a shoe, or a
strap around a shoe or glove. The attachment can be made with a
ring or other feature, made of metal, nylon, or other material.
[0020] The resistance material can be, among other things,
resistance tubing, elastic bands, or a spring, and can be of
various lengths and/or thickness to yield varying amounts of
resistance.
[0021] The adjustable means can be made of a variety of materials
and be connected to the resistance material or to the means of
attachment to the body in a variety of ways. An important feature
of the adjustable means is that it can either be connected to the
resistance material, which is then connected to the means of
attachment to the body, or it can be connected directly to the
means of attachment to the body (i.e., without the resistance
material).
[0022] While this invention has been described in connection with
preferred embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications,
changes or substitutions therein may be made by those skilled in
the art to which it pertains, without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present
invention is to be limited only by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents.
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