U.S. patent application number 11/066983 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for full body stretching assist device.
Invention is credited to Anders, Douglas H..
Application Number | 20050209055 11/066983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34987072 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050209055 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anders, Douglas H. |
September 22, 2005 |
Full body stretching assist device
Abstract
A full body stretching assist device includes a base, a central
support shaft mounted on the base, left and right arm support
stretching sections extending outwards therefrom, and left and
right leg support stretching sections. The left and right arm
support stretching sections each include a shoulder multi-axis
joint, an elbow hinge joint and a wrist multi-axis joint, while the
left and right leg support stretching sections each include a hip
multi-axis joint, a knee hinge and an ankle hinge/multi-axis joint.
Powered movement devices such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or other
such actuating devices are operatively connected to the left and
right arm support stretching sections and the left and right leg
support stretching sections for alternatively extending, retracting
and pivoting them in response to computer commands from a computing
device, thus causing controlled movement to stretch and move arm
and leg limbs being supported therein.
Inventors: |
Anders, Douglas H.;
(Waterloo, NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Offices of Adam H. Jacobs
Suite 726
1904 Farnam Street
Omaha
NE
68102
US
|
Family ID: |
34987072 |
Appl. No.: |
11/066983 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60548748 |
Feb 27, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51 ; 482/907;
482/92; 601/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/006 20130101;
Y10S 482/907 20130101; A61H 1/0218 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/051 ;
482/907; 482/092 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/00; A63B
071/00; A63B 021/068 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A full body stretching assist device comprising: a base; an
upwardly extending central support shaft mounted on and extending
upwards from said base; left and right arm support stretching
sections mounted on said central support shaft and extending
outwards therefrom, each of said left and right arm support
stretching sections including an upper arm engagement portion, a
lower arm engagement portion, and a hand grip mounted at the outer
end of said lower arm engagement portion; left and right leg
support stretching sections mounted on one of said base and said
central support shaft, each of said left and right leg support
stretching sections including a thigh engagement portion, a calf
engagement portion and a foot engagement portion mounted at the
lower end of said calf engagement portion; said left and right arm
support stretching sections each including a shoulder hinge joint
connecting said center support shaft and said upper arm engagement
portion, an elbow hinge joint connecting said upper arm engagement
portion and said lower arm engagement portion and a wrist hinge
joint connecting said lower arm engagement portion and said hand
grip portion; said left and right leg support stretching sections
each including a hip multi-axis joint connecting one of said
central support shaft and said base and said thigh engagement
portion, a knee hinge joint connecting said thigh engagement
portion and said calf engagement portion and an ankle hinge joint
connecting said calf engagement portion and said foot engagement
portion; powered movement means operatively connected to said left
and right arm support stretching sections and said left and right
leg support stretching sections for alternatively extending,
retracting and pivoting said left and right arm support stretching
sections and said left and right leg support stretching sections at
said shoulder hinge joint, said elbow hinge joint, said wrist hinge
joint, said hip multi-axis joint, said knee hinge and said ankle
hinge joint such that said left and right arm support stretching
sections and said left and right leg support stretching sections
are movable in various directions to stretch and move arm and leg
limbs being supported therein; and computing means operative to
engage and control said powered movement means to alternatively
extend, retract and pivot said left and right arm support
stretching sections and said left and right leg support stretching
sections at said shoulder hinge joint, said elbow hinge joint, said
wrist hinge joint, said hip multi-axis joint, said knee hinge and
said ankle hinge joint, thus providing controlled movement to said
left and right arm support stretching sections and said left and
right leg support stretching sections in various directions to
stretch and move arm and leg limbs being supported therein.
2. The full body stretching assist device of claim 1 further
comprising a leg support mounting shaft mounted on and extending
upwards from said base, said left and right leg support stretching
sections mounted on said leg support mounting shaft and depending
downwards therefrom.
3. The full body stretching assist device of claim 2 further
comprising a rotating plate mounted on said base, said leg support
mounting shaft and said left and right leg support stretching
sections mounted on said rotating plate operative to rotate said
leg support mounting shaft and said left and right leg support
stretching sections about a vertical axis generally aligned with
the spine of the user for stretching of the torso of the user.
4. The full body stretching assist device of claim 1 wherein said
powered movement means is selected from the group comprising
pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical actuating devices.
5. The full body stretching assist device of claim 1 further
comprising an upper handle mounted on top of said central support
shaft for grasping by the user of said full body stretching assist
device for stretching of the upper body portion of the user.
6. The full body stretching assist device of claim 1 wherein said
computing means comprises a computer system programmed to engage
and control said powered movement means to alternatively extend,
retract and pivot said left and right arm support stretching
sections and said left and right leg support stretching sections at
said shoulder hinge joint, said elbow hinge joint, said wrist hinge
joint, said hip multi-axis joint, said knee hinge and said ankle
hinge joint, thus moving the various elements of said full body
stretching assist device to assist the user in the stretching of
his/her body parts.
7. The full body stretching assist device of claim 1 further
comprising arm length extension shafts mounted within said upper
arm and lower arm engagement portions, said arm length extension
shafts operative to permit said upper arm and lower arm engagement
portions to be lengthened or shortened to accommodate persons
having longer or shorter arms.
8. The full body stretching assist device of claim 1 further
comprising leg length extension shafts mounted within said thigh
and calf engagement portions, said leg length extension shafts
operative to permit said thigh and calf engagement portions to be
lengthened or shortened to accommodate persons having longer or
shorter legs.
9. A full body stretching assist device comprising: a base; an
upwardly extending central support shaft mounted on and extending
upwards from said base; a leg support mounting shaft mounted on and
extending upwards from said base, said left and right leg support
stretching sections mounted on said leg support mounting shaft and
depending downwards therefrom; a rotating plate mounted on said
base, said leg support mounting shaft and said left and right leg
support stretching sections mounted on said rotating plate
operative to rotate said leg support mounting shaft and said left
and right leg support stretching sections about a vertical axis
generally aligned with the spine of the user for stretching of the
torso of the user; left and right arm support stretching sections
mounted on said central support shaft and extending outwards
therefrom, each of said left and right arm support stretching
sections including an upper arm engagement portion, a lower arm
engagement portion, and a hand grip mounted at the outer end of
said lower arm engagement portion; left and right leg support
stretching sections mounted on one of said base and said central
support shaft, each of said left and right leg support stretching
sections including a thigh engagement portion, a calf engagement
portion and a foot engagement portion mounted at the lower end of
said calf engagement portion; said left and right arm support
stretching sections each including a shoulder hinge joint
connecting said center support shaft and said upper arm engagement
portion, an elbow hinge joint connecting said upper arm engagement
portion and said lower arm engagement portion and a wrist hinge
joint connecting said lower arm engagement portion and said hand
grip portion; said left and right leg support stretching sections
each including a hip multi-axis joint connecting one of said
central support shaft and said base and said thigh engagement
portion, a knee hinge joint connecting said thigh engagement
portion and said calf engagement portion and an ankle hinge joint
connecting said calf engagement portion and said foot engagement
portion; powered movement means operatively connected to said left
and right arm support stretching sections and said left and right
leg support stretching sections for alternatively extending,
retracting and pivoting said left and right arm support stretching
sections and said left and right leg support stretching sections at
said shoulder hinge joint, said elbow hinge joint, said wrist hinge
joint, said hip multi-axis joint, said knee hinge and said ankle
hinge joint such that said left and right arm support stretching
sections and said left and right leg support stretching sections
are movable in various directions to stretch and move arm and leg
limbs being supported therein; and computing means operative to
engage and control said powered movement means to alternatively
extend, retract and pivot said left and right arm support
stretching sections and said left and right leg support stretching
sections at said shoulder hinge joint, said elbow hinge joint, said
wrist hinge joint, said hip multi-axis joint, said knee hinge and
said ankle hinge joint, thus providing controlled movement to said
left and right arm support stretching sections and said left and
right leg support stretching sections in various directions to
stretch and move arm and leg limbs being supported therein.
10. The full body stretching assist device of claim 9 wherein said
powered movement means is selected from the group comprising
pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical actuating devices.
11. The full body stretching assist device of claim 9 further
comprising an upper handle mounted on top of said central support
shaft for grasping by the user of said full body stretching assist
device for stretching of the upper body portion of the user.
12. The full body stretching assist device of claim 9 wherein said
computing means comprises a computer system programmed to engage
and control said powered movement means to alternatively extend,
retract and pivot said left and right arm support stretching
sections and said left and right leg support stretching sections at
said shoulder hinge joint, said elbow hinge joint, said wrist hinge
joint, said hip multi-axis joint, said knee hinge and said ankle
hinge joint, thus moving the various elements of said full body
stretching assist device to assist the user in the stretching of
his/her body parts.
13. The full body stretching assist device of claim 9 further
comprising arm length extension shafts mounted within said upper
arm and lower arm engagement portions, said arm length extension
shafts operative to permit said upper arm and lower arm engagement
portions to be lengthened or shortened to accommodate persons
having longer or shorter arms.
14. The full body stretching assist device of claim 9 further
comprising leg length extension shafts mounted within said thigh
and calf engagement portions, said leg length extension shafts
operative to permit said thigh and calf engagement portions to be
lengthened or shortened to accommodate persons having longer or
shorter legs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL PATENT
[0001] This application claims priority based on a provisional
patent, specifically on the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/548,748 filed Feb. 27, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention is directed to body stretching assist
devices and, more particularly, to a full body, full range of
motion stretching assist device which includes an upright center
support shaft, left and right arm engagement sections for
stretching the arms of the individual, left and right leg
engagement sections for stretching the legs of the individual using
the invention, and a programable computing device operatively
connected to the stretching assist device to control extension,
retraction and rotation of the various sections of the stretching
device of the present invention thereby assisting the individual in
his or her stretching exercises.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] There has been an enormous increase in the interest of
Americans in working out to maintain or improve their health, to
tone their bodies, and to lose weight and stay in shape. The
different types of activities in which persons engage in exercise
is virtually unlimited, but whether it is primarily cardiovascular
in nature or is intended to build strength or flexibility in the
individual, almost all of these exercises have one thing in common,
and that is that persons engaging in those exercises generally do
not stretch sufficiently to warm up their muscles, tendons, and
ligaments to prevent injury from occurring during the exercise.
There are many different reasons why persons do not stretch
sufficiently prior to exercise, among them that individuals may not
be aware of the proper stretches to engage in prior to exercise, or
may not take the necessary time to complete a proper stretching
regime prior to beginning exercise. In either event, the
possibility of injury is greatly increased during the exercise due
to the lack of stretching of the appropriate muscles. There is
therefore a need for a stretching device which will properly
stretch and warm up an individual's muscles, joints, tendons, and
ligaments, and will do so in an efficient and safe manner.
[0006] Numerous examples of stretching devices have been proposed
in the prior art, including such devices as Chung, U.S. Pat. No.
5,913,755, Hsu, U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,495, and Carlstrom, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,634,873. These devices and many others found in the prior art
all have one thing in common, and that is specifically that they
are designed for the stretching of a specific body part, be it the
back, arm, leg, or torso. However, Applicant is unaware of any
single invention found in the prior art which is designed for the
stretching of the entire body of the individual preparing for
exercise, and such a device would certainly be superior to those
found in the prior art as it is designed to complement a full body
workout as opposed to the working out of only certain body parts.
There is therefore a need for a full body stretching device which
will provide for assisted stretching of various body parts in a
controlled and safe atmosphere.
[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
an improved full body stretching assist device.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved full body stretching assist device which includes leg and
arm support stretching sections which receive the arms and legs
therein and assist in the stretching of the arms and legs through
powered joints fitted on the arm and leg sections.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved full body stretching assist device which includes a
computing device operatively connected to the stretching assist
device and programmed to control and drive the stretching process
on an individual-by-individual basis by flexing the various
elements of the invention.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved full body stretching assist device which may be used by
persons both short and tall and large and small, due to the many
adjustable elements of the present invention.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved full body stretching assist device which can be used for
the stretching of individual body parts, as well as being
programmed for the stretching of the full body of the individual
using the device.
[0012] Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide an
improved full body stretching assist device which is relatively
simple and durable in design and is safe and efficient in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A full body stretching assist device includes a base and an
upwardly extending central support shaft mounted on and extending
upwards from the base. Left and right arm support stretching
sections are mounted on the central support shaft and extend
outwards therefrom, each of the left and right arm support
stretching sections including an upper arm engagement portion, a
lower arm engagement portion, and a hand grip mounted at the outer
end of the lower arm engagement portion. Left and right leg support
stretching sections are mounted on one of the base and the central
support shaft, each of the left and right leg support stretching
sections including a thigh engagement portion, a calf engagement
portion and a foot engagement portion mounted at the lower end of
the calf engagement portion. The left and right arm support
stretching sections each include a shoulder multi-axis joint
connecting the center support shaft and the upper arm engagement
portion, an elbow hinge joint connecting the upper arm engagement
portion and the lower arm engagement portion and a wrist multi-axis
joint connecting the lower arm engagement portion and the hand grip
portion, while the left and right leg support stretching sections
each include a hip multi-axis joint connecting one of the central
support shaft and the base and the thigh engagement portion, a knee
hinge connecting the thigh engagement portion and the calf
engagement portion and an ankle hinge/multi-axis joint connecting
the calf engagement portion and the foot engagement portion.
Powered movement devices such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or other
such actuating devices are operatively connected to the left and
right arm support stretching sections and the left and right leg
support stretching sections for alternatively extending, retracting
and pivoting the left and right arm support stretching sections and
the left and right leg support stretching sections at the shoulder
multi-axis joint, the elbow hinge joint, the wrist multi-axis
joint, the hip multi-axis joint, the knee hinge and the ankle
hinge/multi-axis joint such that the left and right arm support
stretching sections and the left and right leg support stretching
sections are movable in various directions to stretch and move arm
and leg limbs being supported therein. Finally, a computing device
is operative to engage and control the powered movement devices to
alternatively extend, retract and pivot the left and right arm
support stretching sections and the left and right leg support
stretching sections at the shoulder multi-axis joint, the elbow
hinge joint, the wrist multi-axis joint, the hip multi-axis joint,
the knee hinge and the ankle hinge/multi-axis joint, thus causing
controlled movement of the left and right arm support stretching
sections and the left and right leg support stretching sections in
various directions to stretch and move arm and leg limbs being
supported therein.
[0014] The full body stretching assist device as thus described
provides a substantial improvement over the various stretching
methods and devices currently available. For example, the
stretching program which may be used with the present invention is
highly individualized and, thus, the vast majority of persons
working out at gyms and the like may use the present invention
prior to exercising to decrease the chance for injury and increase
their strength and flexibility. Also, the multiple adjustable
features of the present invention may be quickly and easily
adjusted to accommodate many different body sizes and types, thus
permitting a large number of users of the present invention to
benefit from use of the full body stretching assist device.
Furthermore, the positioning of the joints of the present invention
is designed to correspond to the location of the joints of the
individual using the present invention, and thus the possibility
for injury from use of the present invention is greatly reduced as
the motions of the device replicate the motions of the individual
using the present invention. Finally, the concentrated and
efficient manner by which the present invention stretches the
individual using the present invention makes it much more likely
that the individual will probably stretch before exercising, which
will likely result in a great reduction in the number of injuries
incurred by persons working out at gymnasiums and the like. The
present invention thus provides a substantial improvement over
those devices and methods found in the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the full body stretching
device of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the full body
stretching device of the present invention with pads and padding
removed.
[0017] FIGS. 3a and 3b are detailed perspective views of the arm
section of the present invention in different orientations; and
[0018] FIGS. 4a and 4b are detailed perspective views of the leg
section of the present invention in different orientations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The full body stretching device 10 of the present invention
is shown best in FIGS. 1-4 as including a base platform 12 on which
is mounted an upright central support shaft 14 which is vertically
movable to raise and lower the elements of the full body stretching
device 10 of the present invention as desired for the user of the
invention, as shown best in FIG. 1. Mounted on and extending
upwards from the central support shaft 14 is an upper handle 18 and
mounted on the forward portion of central support shaft 14 is a
back and shoulder support pad 20 to provide additional support and
comfort for the individual using the full body stretching device 10
of the present invention. The central support shaft 14 as shown
preferably includes a horizontal offset section 16 which allows the
central support shaft 14 to not interfere with the operation of the
lower body portion of the present invention, specifically rotation
of the lower body portion to enable torso stretching, the specifics
of which will be described later in this disclosure.
[0020] Mounted on an upwardly extending leg support mounting shaft
21 and extending downwards from the top portion of leg support
mounting shaft 21 are left and right leg support stretching
sections 22a and 22b, which, in the preferred embodiment, would be
generally identical to one another, except being reversed to
accommodate the left and/or right leg of the individual using the
present invention. Therefore, the following description of right
leg support stretching section 22b should be understood to apply
equally to left leg support stretching section 22a. The right leg
support stretching section 22b would include a thigh engagement
portion 24, calf engagement portion 26, and foot engagement portion
28, with the connection between the central support shaft 14 and
thigh engagement portion 24 being a multi-axis joint 30, the
connection between thigh engagement portion 24 and calf engagement
portion 26 being a hinge 32 positioned approximately at the
location of the knee of the individual, and the connection between
calf engagement portion 26 and foot engagement portion 28 being a
hinge joint 34 which generally replicates the ankle joint of the
individual using the full body stretching device 10 of the present
invention. Extension, retraction and rotation of the multi-axis
joint 30, hinge 32, and hinge 34 will be performed by pneumatic,
hydraulic, or other such actuating devices which control the
extension, retraction, and range of motion of the various joints
and hinges 30, 32, and 34 of the left leg support stretching
section 22b. It is further preferred that the thigh, calf, and foot
engagement portions 24, 26, and 28 each include shaped padding to
accommodate the leg of the user of the present invention in a
comfortable and safe orientation, as shown best in FIG. 1. Also,
the thigh and calf engagement portions 24 and 26 would preferably
include leg length extension shafts 36 and 38 operative to permit
the thigh and calf engagement portions 24 and 26 to be lengthened
or shortened to accommodate persons having longer or shorter legs,
and to allow the user to personally fit the present invention to
his or her particular leg length. The leg length extension shafts
36 and 38 may be either manually adjusted or may be mechanically
adjusted by an appropriate powered extension device (not shown)
such as a rotating screw or the like.
[0021] The leg support mounting shaft 21 and left and right leg
support stretching sections 22a and 22b are preferably mounted on a
rotating plate 36 on base 12 which rotates the leg support mounting
shaft 21 and left and right leg support stretching sections 22a and
22b about a vertical axis generally aligned with the spine of the
user of the present invention. This allows the torso of the user to
be stretched by rotation of the pelvis relative to the upper body,
although it should be noted that the upper section of the present
invention could be modified to rotate instead of the lower section
should such a modification be found to be desirable.
[0022] Mounted adjacent the upper end of central support shaft 14
is the arm support stretching section 40 which includes as its
major elements left and right arm stretching portions 42a and 42b
and a forward pivoting central chest and back engagement portion
44. As the left and right arm support stretching sections 42a and
42b are generally identical to one another, the following
description of left arm support stretching section 42a should be
understood to apply equally to right arm support stretching section
42b. Left arm support stretching section 42a would preferably
include an upper arm engagement portion 48, a lower arm engagement
portion 50, and a hand grip 52 mounted at the outer end of the left
arm support stretching section 42a. As was described in connection
with the right leg support stretching section 22b, the joints
positioned between the various portions of the left arm support
stretching section 42a are intended to generally replicate the
joints found in the arm of the user of the full body stretching
device 10 of the present invention, and would preferably include a
multi-axis or hinge joint connection between the upper end of
central support shaft 14 and upper arm engagement portion 48 of the
left arm support stretching section 42a, the multi-axis or hinge
joint 54 replicating the shoulder joint of the individual, the
connection between the upper arm engagement portion 48 and lower
arm engagement portion 50 being a hinge connection 56 which
replicates the elbow of the user and the connection between the
lower arm engagement portion 50 and hand grip portion 52 comprising
a hinge joint 58 which replicates the wrist of the individual.
Extension, retraction and rotation of the multi-axis/hinge joint
54, hinge 56, and hinge joint 58 will be performed by pneumatic,
hydraulic, mechanical or other such actuating devices which control
the extension, retraction, and range of motion of the various
joints and hinges 30, 32, and 34 of the left arm support stretching
section 42a. It is further preferred that the upper arm, lower arm,
and hand engagement portions 48, 50, and 52 each include shaped
padding to accommodate the arm and hand of the user of the present
invention in a comfortable and safe orientation. Also, similar to
what was described in connection with the leg support stretching
sections 22a and 22b, the upper arm and lower arm engagement
portions 48 and 50 would preferably include arm length extension
shafts 60 and 62 operative to permit the upper arm and lower arm
engagement portions 48 and 50 to be lengthened or shortened to
accommodate persons having longer or shorter arms, and to allow the
user to personally fit the present invention to his or her
particular arm length. The arm length extension shafts 60 and 62
may be either manually adjusted or may be mechanically adjusted by
an appropriate powered extension device (not shown) such as a
rotating screw or the like.
[0023] The operation of the full body stretching device 10 of the
present invention will be performed as follows. A user of the full
body stretching device 10 would move to a position directly in
front of the full body stretching device 10 with his or her back
positioned against the back and shoulder support pad 20, then place
their arms and legs in the respective left and right leg support
stretching sections 22a and 22b and left and right arm support
stretching sections 42a and 42b. The user of the present invention
is retained within the full body stretching device 10 via the pads
mounted on the left and right leg support stretching sections 22a
and 22b and left and right arm support stretching sections 42a and
42b. Once the individual has inserted his or her limbs into the
left and right leg support stretching sections 22a and 22b and left
and right arm support stretching sections 42a and 42b prior to
using the invention, the full body stretching device 10 is ready
for operation to assist in the stretching of muscles and flexing of
joints of the individual using the device.
[0024] Immediately prior to entering the full body stretching
device 10, however, the user of the present invention would utilize
the data input screen 70 of the computer system 72 which is
operatively connected to the full body stretching device 10. This
data input screen 70 is preferably a touch screen which will permit
the user of the present invention to quickly and easily input the
appropriate data on their individual characteristics to permit the
machine to properly assist the individual in the stretching of the
individual's body parts. In the preferred embodiment, the computer
system 72 is programmed to operate the hydraulic and/or pneumatic
connections of the full body stretching device 10 to extend or
retract those connections, thus moving the various elements of the
full body stretching device 10 to assist the user in the stretching
of his or her body parts. The precise programming characteristics
of the computer system 72 are not critical to the present
invention, however, as it is the functionality of the computer
system 72 which is important to properly drive the various elements
of the full body stretching device 10 during the stretching
process.
[0025] Once the user of the present invention has input his or her
personal information into the touch screen 70 of computer system
72, the appropriate stretching program is instituted to drive the
full body stretching device 10 to assist the individual with the
stretching of his or her various body parts. For example, one such
program may include upper body stretching procedures in which the
left and right arm support stretching sections 42a and 42b will
work in cooperation with the chest and upper back support section
44 to assist the user in performing various stretching movements
which involve the extension, retraction and rotation of the arm
support stretching sections 42a and 42b particularly by
manipulation of the upper arm engagement portion relative to the
lower arm engagement portion 50 and the manipulation of the
handgrip portion 52 relative to the lower arm engagement portion 50
as was described previously. Similarly, a lower body stretching
program would include manipulation of the individual's joints and
muscles through extension, retraction and rotation of the left and
right leg support stretching sections 22a and 22b, particularly
focusing on the interconnectivity of the thigh, calf, and foot
engagement portions 24, 26, and 28, and the intermanipulation of
those elements. The precise stretching motions and exercises which
will be used with the present invention may be modified or changed,
depending on the user's abilities and desires, and therefore an
in-depth discussion of those specific stretching motions and
exercises will not be undertaken at this time. It should be noted,
however, that the full body stretching device 10 of the present
invention may be used for virtually any type of stretching
exercise, and it is this adaptability which is a critical and
useful feature of the present invention.
[0026] It is to be understood that numerous modifications,
additions, and substitutions may be made to the full body
stretching device 10 of the present invention which fall within the
intended broad scope of the above description. For example,
additional joints may be included in the full body stretching
device 10 such as those corresponding to the neck and spine of the
individual to provide even more range of motion stretching programs
which will further expand the possibilities of use of the present
invention. Furthermore, the precise size, shape, and construction
materials used in the present invention are not critical so long as
the functional features of the full body stretching device 10 of
the present invention are maintained. Also, it may be preferable to
include a release button 90 positioned on each of the hand grips 52
which will operate to immediately return the full body stretching
device 10 to its rest position in case the user is uncomfortable
with the stretch being performed. The present invention may also
include a back hinge 17 mounted on the central support shaft 14
which permits the upper section of the unit to bend forwards to
flex the user's back for stretching thereof. Finally, although the
present invention has been described as being driven by hydraulic,
pneumatic or mechanical power, virtually any type of drive
mechanism may be used with the present invention so long as the
manipulation of joints and muscles by the invention is
permitted.
[0027] There has therefore been shown and described a full body
stretching device 10 which accomplishes at least all of its
intended objectives.
* * * * *