U.S. patent application number 10/885455 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for stretch exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ishihara, Shuzo, Sugiyama, Toshihide.
Application Number | 20050014612 10/885455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34055593 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050014612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sugiyama, Toshihide ; et
al. |
January 20, 2005 |
Stretch exercise apparatus
Abstract
A stretch exercise apparatus is durable, low cost, and easy to
use for stretching the muscles extending from the bottom of the
feet to all the way up to the back. The stretch exercise apparatus
includes a base plate, a foot plate rotatably connected to the base
plate, an angle adjuster established on either the base plate or
the foot plate, engagement members established on the other base
plate or foot plate without the angle adjuster to engage with the
tip of the angle adjuster to set a desired angle, which greatly
improves the ease of use. In a further aspect, a plurality of
permanent magnets are embedded in both left and right foot pads on
the foot plate.
Inventors: |
Sugiyama, Toshihide;
(Shizuoka-shi, JP) ; Ishihara, Shuzo;
(Shizuoka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MURAMATSU & ASSOCIATES
Suite 225
7700 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine
CA
92618
US
|
Family ID: |
34055593 |
Appl. No.: |
10/885455 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/79 ;
482/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/006 20130101;
A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 22/16 20130101; A63B 21/00047
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/079 ;
482/145 |
International
Class: |
A63B 023/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2003 |
JP |
2003-192690 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stretch exercise apparatus for stretching muscles of a person,
comprising: a base plate; a foot plate rotatably connected to said
base plate; an angle adjuster established on a lower surface of the
foot plate, and an engagement member established on an upper
surface of the base plate for engaging with a tip of the angle
adjuster.
2. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the angle
adjuster is composed of a first angle adjuster for adjusting the
angle of the foot plate in a large amount and a second angle
adjuster for adjusting the angle of the foot plate in a small
amount.
3. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the first
angle adjuster is configured by a pair of first angle adjusting
arms on left and right sides thereof, and the second angle adjuster
is configured by a pair of second angle adjusting arms on left and
right sides thereof, wherein the first angle adjusting arm is
longer than the second angle adjusting arm.
4. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the pair of
first angle adjusting arms are rotatably mounted on the lower
surface of the foot plate, and the pair of second angle adjusting
arms are rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the foot plate,
wherein an adjustment knob is formed on each of the first angle
adjusting arm and the second angle adjusting arm.
5. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
pair of heel supports on the base plate for supporting heels of a
person, wherein the heel supports are rotatably mounted on the base
plate so that their angle can be changed in response to a position
of the heel based on the change of the angle of the foot plate.
6. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein an elastic
member for reducing a weight of the foot plate during adjustment of
the inclination angle of the foot plate is established between the
foot plate and the base plate.
7. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the elastic
member is a coil spring that is installed at the portion where the
base plate and the foot plate are connected rotatably, wherein one
end of coil spring is engaged with the base plate and another other
end of the coil spring is engaged with foot plate thereby biasing
the foot plate in a direction separating from the base plate.
8. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
scale for showing the amount of flexibility when stretching on the
foot plate.
9. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base
plate and the foot plate are made of polyacetal resin containing
20-30% glass fibers.
10. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising
left and right foot pads made of non-slippage material on the foot
plate, wherein each of the left and right foot pads is embedded
with a plurality of permanent magnets.
11. A stretch exercise apparatus for stretching muscles of a
person, comprising: a base plate; a foot plate rotatably connected
to said base plate; an angle adjuster established on an upper
surface of the base plate, and an engagement member established on
a lower surface of the foot plate for engaging with a tip of the
angle adjuster.
12. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the angle
adjuster is composed of a first angle adjuster for adjusting the
angle of the foot plate in a large amount and a second angle
adjuster for adjusting the angle of the foot plate in a small
amount.
13. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the first
angle adjuster is configured by a pair of first angle adjusting
arms on left and right sides thereof, and the second angle adjuster
is configured by a pair of second angle adjusting arms on left and
right sides thereof, wherein the first angle adjusting arm is
longer than the second angle adjusting arm.
14. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the pair of
first angle adjusting arms are rotatably mounted on the upper
surface of the base plate, and the pair of second angle adjusting
arms are rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the base plate,
wherein an adjustment knob is formed on each of the first angle
adjusting arm and the second angle adjusting arm.
15. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising
a pair of heel supports on the base plate for supporting heels of a
person, wherein the heel supports are rotatably mounted on the base
plate so that their angle can be changed in response to a position
of the heel based on the change of the angle of the foot plate.
16. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein an elastic
member for reducing a weight of the foot plate during adjustment of
the inclination angle of the foot plate is established between the
foot plate and the base plate.
17. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the elastic
member is a coil spring that is installed at the portion where the
base plate and the foot plate are connected rotatably, wherein one
end of coil spring is engaged with the base plate and another other
end of the coil spring is engaged with foot plate thereby biasing
the foot plate in a direction separating from the base plate.
18. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising
a scale for showing the amount of flexibility when stretching on
the foot plate.
19. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the base
plate and the foot plate are made of polyacetal resin containing
20-30% glass fibers.
20. A stretch apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising
left and right foot pads made of non-slippage material on the foot
plate, wherein each of the left and right foot pads is embedded
with a plurality of permanent magnets.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for stretching
the muscles, and more particularly, to a stretch exercise apparatus
which is durable, low cost, and easy to use for stretching the
muscles extending from the bottom of the feet to all the way up to
the back.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of stretch exercise apparatus are in the
market, an example of which is shown in Japanese laid-open patent
publication number 59-115064.
[0003] The stretch exercise apparatus disclosed in this patent
publication has a structure which includes a base plate and a step
plate rotatably attached to the base plate by hinges. The step
plate is rotated and an angle adjuster is inserted or attached
between the base plate and step plate. As a result, the step plate
can be set to a desired angle relative to the base plate. Then, by
standing on the step plate in such a way the heels are positioned
lower than the toes, the muscles extending from the bottom of the
feet to all the way up to the back, especially, calves can be
stretched.
[0004] This type of stretch exercise apparatus is effective, for
example, when applied before and after engaging in various sports.
However, the structure of the conventional stretch exercise
apparatus involves the following problems. First, it is
inconvenient to use. This is because the angle adjuster is provided
as a separate element, where it has to be removed and reinserted
every time when the angle of the step plate is set or changed,
making it bothersome to use the apparatus.
[0005] Further, in the conventional stretch exercise apparatus, the
adjustable range of the angle of the step plate is not large
enough. Thus, it is not possible to fully accommodate the stretch
exercise apparatus with a variety of people with different levels
and motives. When the angle of the step plate changes, the manner
of fitting the heels of the user to the bottom of the base plate
changes as well. However, in the conventional stretch exercise
apparatus, the structure of the part that the heels contact with
the step plate is fixed, making the user feel uncomfortable
especially when the angle of the step plate is relatively large. A
further problem involved in the conventional stretch exercise
apparatus is a lack of durability due to the structure and the
materials used.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need of a stretch exercise apparatus
that can solve the problems noted above so that it can accommodate
a variety of users and can be used without any discomfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a stretch exercise apparatus that is durable enough and
easy to use.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
stretch exercise apparatus that is comfortable to use for
stretching the muscles for a long time.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
stretch exercise apparatus with a wider range of adjustable
angles.
[0010] The stretch exercise apparatus of the present invention is
comprised of a base plate, a foot plate rotatably connected to the
base plate, an angle adjuster established on a lower surface of the
foot plate, and an engagement member established on an upper
surface of the base plate to engage with a tip of the angle
adjuster, thereby allowing a desired angle of the foot plate
relative to the base plate to be set by properly shifting the angle
adjuster and engaging its tip with the engagement member.
Alternatively, the angle adjuster can be formed on an upper surface
of the base plate and the engagement member can be formed on a
lower surface of the foot plate.
[0011] Furthermore, the first angle adjuster can be structured by a
first angle adjuster for relatively large angle of the foot plate
and a second angle adjuster for relatively small angle of the foot
plate, resulting in a wider range of adjustable angle of the foot
plate. The wider range of adjustment angle would provide those
users with more avid desire for stretching the muscles.
[0012] Further, the first angle adjuster can be configured by a
pair of first angle adjusting arms on the left and right sides, and
the second angle adjuster can be configured by a pair of second
angle adjusting arms on the left and right sides, where the first
angle adjusting arm is longer than the second angle adjusting
arm.
[0013] The stretch exercise apparatus further includes a pair of
heel supports mounted on the base plate. The heel supports can
properly rotate according to the change in the heel position based
on the change in the angle of the foot plate. Therefore, even if
the angle of the foot plate changes between various degrees, the
heel supports can be set to an optimum position, thereby
eliminating the discomfort during stretching exercise.
[0014] Further, an elastic member for reducing the weight of the
foot plate when adjusting the angle can be mounted between the said
foot plate and base plate. In this case, for example, when the foot
plate is raised to increase the angle of the foot plate, one can do
so without feeling the weight of the foot plate. An example of the
elastic member is a coil spring which can be installed at the
portion where the base plate and the foot plate are connected
rotatably. One end of coil spring is engaged with base plate, and
the other end is engaged with the foot plate thus producing an
upward force in the foot plate.
[0015] Preferably, a scale for displaying the amount of flexibility
when stretching on the foot plate can be mounted, thus, improving
the ease of use when the user wants to keep track of the
progress.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of
the stretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the structure of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow IV in
FIG. 2 showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow V in
FIG. 2 showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in
the first embodiment of the present invention when the foot plate
is in parallel with the base plate.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view seen from the direction of arrow V in
FIG. 2 showing the structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in
the first embodiment of the present invention when the foot plate
is tilted relative to the base plate.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing an example of
structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment
of the present invention taken along the VII-VII line of FIG.
2.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing an example of
structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment
of the present invention taken along the VIII-VIII line of FIG.
6.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing an example of
structure of the stretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment
taken along the IX-IX line of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the operation of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention
when the foot plate is in parallel with the base plate.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the operation of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention
when the foot plate is in parallel with the base plate.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a front view showing the operation of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention
when the foot plate is tilted relative to the base plate.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention
when the foot plate is tilted relative to the base plate.
[0029] FIG. 14A is a plan view showing an example of structure of
the foot mat used in the stretch exercise apparatus in the second
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14B is a cross
sectional view of the foot mat taken along the b-b line of FIG.
14A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The first embodiment of stretch exercise apparatus in
accordance with the present invention will be explained below with
reference to FIGS. 1-13. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an
outer appearance of the stretch exercise apparatus of the present
invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stretch exercise apparatus,
FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 4 is a side view thereof seen
from the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a side view
thereof seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a
side view thereof when a foot plate is in a tilted condition.
[0031] Further, the inner structure of the stretch exercise
apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9. FIG. 7 is
a cross sectional view showing the structure of the stretch
exercise apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention
taken along the VII-VII line of FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is a cross sectional
view thereof taken along the VIII-VIII line of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9
is a cross sectional view thereof taken along the IX-IX line of
FIG. 2.
[0032] FIGS. 10-13 show the ways of using the stretch exercise
apparatus of present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the
operation of the stretch exercise apparatus in the first embodiment
of the present invention without an angle of the foot plate. FIG.
11 is a side view of the stretch exercise apparatus in the same
condition of FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a front view showing the operation
of the stretch exercise apparatus when the foot plate is inclined
with use of an angle adjuster, and FIG. 13 is a side view of the
stretch exercise apparatus in the same condition of FIG. 12.
[0033] As seen from FIGS. 1-9, basically, the stretch exercise
apparatus has a base plate 1 and a foot plate 3 attached to the
base plate 1. As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 3, the base plate
1 is comprised of a front pipe member 5, a rear pipe member 7, and
a pair of plate members 9 and 11 extended between the front pipe
member 5 and the rear pipe member 7. Foot members 13 and 15 are
attached on the left side and the right side, respectively, of the
rear pipe member 7 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. A curved member
17, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, runs between the foot members 13 and
15.
[0034] The top surface of the foot plate 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, is established with a left foot pad 19 and a right foot pad 21
made of non-slippage material such as rubber. Preferably, the left
and right foot pads 19 and 21 also have a knurled surface to
prevent slippage of the feet thereon. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, a projected area 23 is established between the left foot pad
19 and the right foot pad 21 to securely place the foot of the user
on each of the foot pads 19 and 21.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4-7, a first angle adjuster 25 and a
second angle adjuster 27 are attached to the bottom surface of the
foot plate 3. Alternatively, the first angle adjuster 25 and the
second angle adjuster 27 are attached to the upper surface of the
base plate 1. As will be described later, the first angle adjuster
25 is used for inclining the foot plate 3 with a relatively large
angle with respect to the base plate 1. The second angle adjuster
27 is used for inclining the foot plate 3 with a relatively small
angle with respect to the base plate 1.
[0036] The first angle adjuster 25 is composed of a pair of first
angle adjusting arms 29 and 31 provided on the left and right
sides, respectively. Similarly, the second angle adjuster 27 is
structured by a pair of second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35
provided on the left and right sides, respectively. The first angle
adjusting arms 29 and 31 are longer than the second angle adjusting
arms 33 and 35. The pair of first angle adjusting arms 29 and 31
are connected with one another through a connecting member 37 as
shown in FIG. 12. Further, the pair of first angle adjusting arms
29 and 31 are rotatably attached to the foot plate 3 through a
shaft 39 as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, an adjustment knob 41 is
established on one side of the first angle adjusting arm 31 as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Thus, the user can hold the adjustment knob
41 and rotate the first angle adjuster 25.
[0037] Similarly, the pair of second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35
on the left and right side are connected with one another through a
connecting member 43 as shown in FIG. 10. Further, the pair of
second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35 on the left and right are
rotatably attached to the foot plate 3 through a shaft 45 as shown
in FIG. 4. Moreover, an adjustment knob 47 is established on one
side of the second angle adjusting arm 35 as shown in FIGS. 4 and
6. Thus, the user can hold the adjustment knob 47 and rotate the
second angle adjuster 27.
[0038] The structure of the pair of plate members 9 and 11 on the
base plate 1 is shown in FIG. 8. An engagement member 51 for the
second angle adjusting arm 33 and an engagement member 53 for the
first angle adjusting arm 29 are established on the plate member 9.
Similarly, an engagement member 51 for the second angle adjusting
arm 35 and an engagement member 53 for the first angle adjusting
arm 31 are established on the plate member 11. There are three
indentations 55, 57, 59 on each of the engagement members 51 for
receiving the ends of the second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35.
Similarly, there are three indentations 61, 63, 65 on each of the
engagement members 53 for receiving the ends of the first angle
adjusting arms 29 and 31. It should be noted that the engagement
members 51 and 53 will be provided on the lower surface of the foot
plate in the case where the first and second angle adjusters 25 and
27 are provided on the base plate 1 rather than the foot plate
3.
[0039] On the curved member 17 noted above, heel supports 71 and 73
are attached to the left and right sides, respectively, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The heel support 71 is attached to the curved member
17 through a clamp member 75 as shown in FIG. 7 in a manner
rotatable about the curved member 17. Similarly, the heel support
73 is attached to the curved member 17 by a clamp member 77 in a
manner rotatable about the curved member 17.
[0040] The structure for connecting the foot plate 3 with the base
plate is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 where the both plates are connected
in a rotatable manner through a shaft 81. Although only
schematically shown in FIG. 7, a coil spring 83 is attached to each
end of the shaft 81. For example, one end of the coil spring 83 is
engaged with the base plate 1, and the other end is engaged with
the foot plate 3. Therefore, the foot plate 3 is always rotatably
biased in an upward direction, i.e., a direction for separating
from the base plate 1, by the coil spring 83.
[0041] However, since the weight of the foot plate 3 exceeds the
force of the coil springs 83, the foot plate 3 is actually closed
on the top of the base plate 1, i.e., in parallel with the base
plate 1. Then, for example, when the foot plate 3 is raised to
increase the inclination angle thereof, the coil springs 83
effectively reduces the weight of the foot plate 3, thus assisting
the user when angle adjustment is needed. This way, the user can
raise the foot plate 1 with much less force than would be necessary
without the coil springs 83.
[0042] Various materials can be used for the base plate 1 and the
foot plate 3. In the preferred embodiment, POM (polyacetal resin)
containing 20-30% of glass fibers is used, which has high
durability.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, a scale plate 85 can be attached to the
stretch exercise apparatus through a scale support member 87 at the
center of the front pipe 5 of the base plate 1. Moreover, a
pressing flange 89 is attached to the scale plate 85 for the user
to press down by the tips of the fingers when stretching. The scale
plate 85 displays the amount of stretch so that the user can tell
the degree of stretch when standing on the foot plate 3 by reading
the scale at the position of the pressing flange 89
[0044] The operation of the stretch exercise apparatus of the
invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4
shows the condition when the stretch exercise apparatus is not in
use, where the foot plate 3 is in parallel with the base plate
1.
[0045] On the other hand, when the stretch exercise apparatus is
being used, it is preferable that the foot plate 3 is angled
relative to the base plate 1 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the
example of FIGS. 10 and 11, the foot plate 3 is inclined by the
second angle adjuster 27. The user raises the foot plate 3 and
rotates the adjustment knob 47 on the second angle adjuster 27.
Then, each tip of the second angle adjusting arms 33 and 35 is
engaged with one of the indentations 55, 57, 59 on the engagement
members 51 and 51. Selection of one of the indentations 55, 57, 59
determines the angle of inclination of the foot plate 3, thereby
allowing the foot plate 3 to be set at a desired inclined angle.
Generally, the second angle adjuster 27 is used to set the stretch
apparatus to a gentle angle such as 5-15 degrees.
[0046] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, by placing the foot 91 on the
foot plate 3, the muscles extending from the bottom of that foot
all the way up to the back can be stretched. Especially, the
stretch exercise apparatus is effective in stretching the calves of
the user. In the stretch exercise apparatus of the present
invention, the heel supports 71 and 73 rotate according to the heel
position of the user as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 11.
Thus, the user feels comfortable when the foot plate 3 is
inclined.
[0047] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the case where the foot plate 3 is
inclined by the first angle adjuster 25. The user raises the foot
plate 3 and rotates the adjustment knob 41 on the first angle
adjuster 25. Then, each tip of the first angle adjusting arms 29
and 31 is engaged with one of the indentations 61, 63, 65 of the
engagement members 53. Selection of one of the indentations 61, 63,
65 determines the angle of inclination of the foot plate 3, thereby
allowing the foot plate 3 to be set at a desired inclined angle.
Generally, the first angle adjuster 25 is used to set the stretch
exercise apparatus to a large angle such as 20 degrees or
higher.
[0048] Then, as shown in FIG. 13, by placing the foot 91 on the
foot plate 3, the muscles extending from the bottom of that foot
all the way up to the back can be stretched. As noted above, in the
stretch exercise apparatus of the present invention, the heel
supports 71 and 73 rotate according to the heel position of the
user as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 13. Thus, the user
feels comfortable when the foot plate 3 is inclined.
[0049] The following effects can be achieved by the present
invention. First, the stretch exercise apparatus is easy to use.
This is because both the first angle adjuster 25 and the second
angle adjuster 27 are established on the foot plate 3 and the
engagement members 51 for the second angle adjusting arms and the
engagement members 53 for the first angle adjusting arms are
established on the base plate 1. This structure allows a desired
angle of the foot plate by properly rotating the first angle
adjuster 25 or the second angle adjuster 27 so that their tips are
engaged with any one of the indentations on the engagement members
51 and 53. Since there are no parts to be removed and re-inserted,
the adjustment of the angle of the foot plate can be done much
faster and easier than that in the conventional methods.
[0050] Further, by installing either the first angle adjuster 25 or
the second angle adjuster 27, the range of the adjustable angle of
the foot plate 3 is greatly increased. This would provide users
various ways and levels to perform their stretching exercise. For
example, an elderly user may want to start with a very moderate
angle of inclination and gradually increase the angle. On the other
hand, a young and avid user may want to increase the angle of the
foot plate 3 greatly to challenge the stretching exercise. The
wider range of adjustment angle of the present invention would be
able to accommodate various kinds of users with various needs and
levels.
[0051] Further, since the heel support 71 is rotatably attached
through the clamp member 75, when the heel position of the user's
foot changes due to the change in the angle of the foot plate 3,
the heel support 71 can properly rotate to an ideal position. Thus,
the user will not feel any discomfort during the stretching.
[0052] Further, the foot plate 3 is always rotatably biased in an
upward direction by the coil springs 83. This allows the user to
raise the foot plate 3 easier since only a little force is needed
due to the already exerting upward force by the coil springs
83.
[0053] Further, since the base plate 1 and the foot plate 3 are
made of POM (polyacetal resin) containing 20-30% of glass fibers,
high durability is achieved as well. Therefore, the stretch
exercise apparatus of the present invention will not be damaged
after repeated use.
[0054] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be
explained with reference to FIGS. 14A-14B. In this example, the
left foot pad 19 and right foot pad 21 are embedded with a
plurality of permanent magnets. FIGS. 14A and 14B show the left
foot pad 19, where several indentations 101 are formed on the
bottom side of the pad and permanent magnets 103 are embedded
therein.
[0055] An example of the specification of such permanent magnets
103 is as follows:
[0056] Outer diameter: 10 mm
[0057] Thickness: 2-5 mm
[0058] Magnetic strength: 1,300 gauss
[0059] Number: 6 (12 total for both feet)
[0060] The above specification is just one example, and various
modifications of the outer diameter, thickness, strength, number,
and location are possible.
[0061] According to the structure of the second embodiment, in
addition to the effects achieved in the first embodiment as
described above, effects such as relaxing stiff muscles and
improving blood circulation can be achieved as well.
[0062] The present invention is not limited to the first and second
embodiments in the foregoing. For example, the material is not
limited to the POM containing 20-30% glass fibers. For example, the
base plate and the foot plate can be made of aluminum die-cast.
[0063] Although only a preferred embodiment is specifically
illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many
modifications and variations of the present invention are possible
in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the
appended claims without departing the spirit and intended scope of
the invention.
* * * * *