U.S. patent application number 12/013323 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for vertical lumbar stretching machine and method.
Invention is credited to John P. Boren.
Application Number | 20080176716 12/013323 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641845 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176716 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boren; John P. |
July 24, 2008 |
Vertical Lumbar Stretching Machine and Method
Abstract
A machine and method for conditioning and strengthening the
human frame, and particularly the lumbar muscles of the lower back
and pelvic region. The user-controlled machine has a single
restraint strap which wraps around the user's pelvic region and
connects to both sides of a support structure. The single restraint
strap may be positioned high or low about the user's pelvic region
while the user faces forward, backward, or sideways relative to the
support structure. The user causes the single restraint strap to be
drawn tightly about the pelvic region, thereby restraining the
pelvic region against the support structure. This isolates the
lumbar muscles and permits the user to conduct specific lumbar
muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises while remaining in
an upright position.
Inventors: |
Boren; John P.; (Katy,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANDREWS & KURTH, L.L.P.
600 TRAVIS, SUITE 4200
HOUSTON
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
39641845 |
Appl. No.: |
12/013323 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60880338 |
Jan 12, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51 ; 482/124;
482/131; 482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 1/0292 20130101;
A63B 2023/006 20130101; A63B 2208/029 20130101; A63B 21/00047
20130101; A63B 21/06 20130101; A61H 2201/163 20130101; A63B
2225/093 20130101; A61H 1/0229 20130101; A63B 23/0233 20130101;
A63B 21/00181 20130101; A63B 2230/62 20130101; A61H 2203/0406
20130101; A63B 21/4001 20151001; A63B 21/068 20130101; A61H 1/0218
20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/51 ; 482/139;
482/131; 482/124 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00; A63B 71/00 20060101 A63B071/00; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A63B 21/02 20060101 A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. An exercise machine (10) for stretching the human body
comprising, a vertical support structure (20) arranged and designed
with a vertical contact area (22) to receive a user's pelvic region
thereagainst when a user stands upright adjacent to said support
structure, said vertical contact area having two vertical sides; a
single restraint strap (12) having two end portions with one end
portion un-releasably connected to a moveably disposed first member
(19) of said support structure positioned adjacent to one vertical
side of said vertical contact area and with another end portion
un-releasably connected to a moveably disposed second member (24)
of said support structure positioned adjacent to another vertical
side of said vertical contact area, said single restraint strap
comprising two sections (15, 17) which couple using a coupling
mechanism (11, 13) at a position along said strap between said
first and second members; said two sections of said single
restraint strap being arranged and designed to couple around a
user's pelvic region when a user stands upright adjacent to said
support structure; and a support structure actuator (16) connected
adjacent to said first and second members and arranged and designed
to adjust a vertical height of said first and second members of
said support structure by vertically moving said first and second
members, said vertical movement of said first and second members
also vertically moving said single restraint strap relative to said
support structure and to a user when a user stands upright adjacent
thereto by moving the two end portions of said single restraint
strap; whereby, when a user stands upright adjacent to said
vertical contact area of said support structure and couples said
two sections of said single restraint strap around said user's
pelvic region, said user's pelvic region is restrained against said
vertical contact area of said support structure by said single
restraint strap at said vertical height adjusted by said support
structure actuator.
2. The machine of claim 1 further comprising, a strap actuator (26)
connected adjacent to said first and second members and arranged
and designed to horizontally move said first and second members of
said support structure; said horizontal movement of said first and
second members also horizontally moving said two end portions of
said single restraint strap relative to a user when a user is
standing upright adjacent to said support structure; whereby, when
a user stands upright adjacent to said vertical contact area of
said support structure and couples said two sections of said single
restraint strap around said user's pelvic region, said user's
pelvic region is tightly restrained against said vertical contact
area when said first and second members are moved horizontally away
from said user.
3. The machine of claim 2 wherein, said first and second members
are adjacently connected to each other.
4. The machine of claim 2 wherein, said strap actuator is arranged
and designed to be controlled by a user of said machine.
5. The machine of claim 1 wherein, said first and second members
are adjacently connected to each other.
6. The machine of claim 1 further comprising, a weight bearing
arrangement comprising a strap (40), a sheave (42), and a weight
(44), said strap arranged and designed to be disposed about a
user's torso and to connect to said weight through said sheave
positioned on said support structure above said vertical contact
area such that weighted resistance is applied to said user's
torso.
7. The machine of claim 1 further comprising, a safety cord having
two end portions, said first end portion being coupled to said
support structure above said vertical contact area and said second
end portion arranged and designed to be disposed about a user's
torso.
8. The machine of claim 1 wherein, said support structure actuator
is arranged and designed to be controlled by a user of said
machine.
9. The machine of claim 1 wherein, said coupling mechanism
comprises a hook and loop fastener.
10. An exercise machine (10) for stretching the human body
comprising, a vertical support structure (20) arranged and designed
with a vertical contact area (22) to receive a user's pelvic region
thereagainst when a user stands upright adjacent to said support
structure, said vertical contact area having two vertical sides; a
single restraint strap (12) having two end portions with one end
portion un-releasably connected to a moveably disposed first member
(19) of said support structure positioned adjacent to one vertical
side of said vertical contact area and with another end portion
releasably connectable to a moveably disposed second member (24) of
said support structure positioned adjacent to another vertical side
of said vertical contact area; said single restraint strap being
arranged and designed to be disposed around a user's pelvic region
when a user stands upright adjacent to said support structure; and
a support structure actuator (16) connected adjacent to said first
and second members and arranged and designed to adjust a vertical
height of said first and second members of said support structure
by vertically moving said first and second members, said vertical
movement of said first and second members also vertically moving
said single restraint strap relative to said support structure and
to a user when a user stands upright adjacent thereto by moving the
two connected end portions of said single restraint strap; whereby,
when a user stands upright adjacent to said vertical contact area
of said support structure and connects said releasably connectable
end portion of said single restraint strap around said user's
pelvic region and to said second member, said user's pelvic region
is restrained against said vertical contact area of said support
structure by said single restraint strap at said vertical height
adjusted by said support structure actuator.
11. The machine of claim 10 further comprising, a strap actuator
(26) connected adjacent to said first and second members and
arranged and designed to horizontally move said first and second
members of said support structure; said horizontal movement of said
first and second members also horizontally moving said two end
portions of said single restraint strap relative to a user when a
user stands upright adjacent to said support structure; whereby,
when a user stands upright adjacent to said vertical contact area
of said support structure and connects said releasably connectable
end portion of said single restraint strap around said user's
pelvic region and to said second member, said user's pelvic region
is tightly restrained against said vertical contact area when said
first and second members are moved horizontally away from said
user.
12. The machine of claim 11 wherein, said first and second members
are adjacently connected to each other.
13. The machine of claim 11 wherein, said strap actuator is
arranged and designed to be controlled by a user of said
machine.
14. The machine of claim 10 wherein, said first and second members
are adjacently connected to each other.
15. The machine of claim 10 further comprising, a weight bearing
arrangement comprising a strap (40), a sheave (42), and a weight
(44), said strap arranged and designed to be disposed about a
user's torso and to connect to said weight through said sheave
positioned on said support structure above said vertical contact
area such that weighted resistance is applied to said user's
torso.
16. The machine of claim 10 further comprising, a safety cord
having two end portions, said first end portion being coupled to
said support structure above said vertical contact area and said
second end portion arranged and designed to be disposed about a
user's torso.
17. The machine of claim 10 wherein, said support structure
actuator is arranged and designed to be controlled by a user of
said machine.
18. The machine of claim 10 wherein, said releasably connectable
end portion of said single restraint strap connects to said
moveably disposed second member of said support structure using a
hook and loop fastener.
19. An exercise method for stretching the human body comprising the
steps of, standing a user upright adjacent to a vertical contact
area (22) of a vertical support structure (20), said vertical
contact area arranged and designed to receive a user's pelvic
region and having two vertical sides; disposing a single
restraining strap (12) around said user's pelvic region, said
single restraining strap having two end portions; releasably
connecting said first end portion to a moveably disposed first
member (24) of said support structure positioned adjacent to one
vertical side of said vertical contact area, said second end
portion being un-releasably connected to a moveably disposed second
member (19) of said support structure positioned adjacent to
another vertical side of said vertical contact area; controlling a
support structure actuator (16) connected adjacent to said first
and second members to vertically move said single restraint strap
to a desired vertical height relative to said user; and controlling
a support structure actuator (26) connected adjacent to said first
and second members to horizontally move said first and second
members and said first and second end portions connected thereto
away from said user, thereby tightly restraining said user's pelvic
region against said vertical contact area at said desired vertical
height.
20. The exercise method of claim 19 wherein, said controlling steps
are performed by said user while using said machine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon provisional application
60/880,338, filed on Jan. 12, 2007, the priority of which is
claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a device or machine for
stretching, exercising, and strengthening the human body.
Specifically, the invention relates to a device or machine for
exercising and strengthening the lumbar muscles while remaining in
an upright position.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Weakness of the back muscles, and particularly the lumbar
muscles, which are responsible for proper posture, may lead to
increasing muscle weakness and even muscle atrophy over time. In
order to maintain their strength and conditioning, the lumbar
muscles must be exercised through stretching and conditioning.
[0006] Prior art devices for stretching and strengthening the human
frame, including the lumbar muscles of the lower back, have
included numerous medical and non-medical mechanical devices. These
mechanical devices include both motorized and non-motorized
movement, and employ weight stacks, plyometric resistance and/or
gravity to accomplish the goal of stretching, flexing, or
strengthening the human frame. Purely medical devices have included
over-the-door and power-controlled traction devices, among others,
arranged and designed to decompress the spine. Non-medical devices
have typically included gym-type stretching equipment including,
but not limited to, gravity balls and Pilates machines, arranged
and designed to improve flexibility and range of joint motion.
However, Pilates equipment, MedX exercise equipment, and other
fitness-oriented exercise and stretching units are often
uncomfortable, cumbersome, and/or difficult to operate.
Furthermore, fitness-oriented exercise and stretching units are not
necessarily directed at strengthening and conditioning the user's
lumbar muscles.
[0007] Among the more common types of prior art devices for
stretching and conditioning the human frame are "inversion" devices
which operate by inverting the human body. These inversion devices
suspend the user in an upside down position by the ankles or knees
so that the spine and associated structures that produce vertical
pressure while upright can be unloaded and stretched. While
inverted, the user may also twist, bend, and otherwise stretch and
exercise muscles along the torso, including the lumbar muscles.
However, a major drawback of these inversion devices and their
method of operation is that the user's cardiovascular system must
operate in an abnormal state thus potentially causing the user to
feel ill effects from the inversion. Furthermore, typical inversion
devices provide little, if any, of the proper back support needed
to isolate and safely strengthen and condition the user's lumbar
muscles.
[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,656,098 and 6,749,548 issued to Hoffman
disclose a restraint and exercise device comprising a restraint,
e.g. two straps, connected to a support structure. The straps help
to restrain a portion of a person's body, such as the pelvic
region, in a substantially pain-free position so as to reduce the
pain that would otherwise be felt during exercise. A ratchet
mechanism is used to adjust the tension in the two-strap restraint.
However, for a user in pain, mechanical self adjustment of a
non-actuated, two-strap restraint can prove difficult, if not
impossible.
[0009] 3. Identification of Objects of the Invention
[0010] An object of the invention is to accomplish one or more of
the following:
[0011] Provide a machine that limits or restrains the movement of
the user's pelvic region thereby isolating the lumbar muscles of
the lower back for exercise by the user;
[0012] Provide a machine, operable by the user without assistance,
that limits or restrains the movement of the user's pelvic region
while permitting exercise of the torso; and
[0013] Provide a machine that limits or restrains the movement of
the user's pelvic region without twisting or otherwise radially
moving the user's torso.
[0014] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following
specification and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An exercise machine and method are disclosed for stretching
and strengthening the human body, particularly the lumbar muscles
of the lower back, to enhance postural balance. In the upright
position, the movement of the lumbar muscles (i.e., the muscles
supporting the lumbar vertebrae) results in simultaneous movement
of the pelvis. To effectively exercise the lumbar muscles, they
must be isolated by a device or machine which limits or restrains
movement of the pelvis. The user-controlled machine limits or
restrains movement of the pelvis using a single restraint strap
that wraps around the user's pelvic region and connects to the
support structure. The single restraint strap may be positioned
high or low about the user's pelvic region while the user faces
forward or backward relative to the support structure. The machine
preferably has a user-controlled, powered actuator which draws the
single restraint strap tight around the user's pelvic region
thereby restraining the user's pelvic region against the support
structure. This isolates the lumbar muscles and permits the user to
conduct specific lumbar muscle conditioning and strengthening
exercises while remaining in an upright position. Thus, the
exercise machine enables quick, simple, and safe operation but also
permits the user, without the aid of another, to isolate the lumber
muscles and perform specific lumbar exercises in an upright
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The objects, advantages, and features of the invention will
become apparent by reference to the drawings which are appended
hereto, and wherein by way of illustration, and not limitation,
implementations of the invention are described, of which:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of a preferred
implementation of the exercise machine while not in operation for
stretching and strengthening the lumbar muscles of the lower
back;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the exercise machine of
FIG. 1 while in operation with the user's pelvic region securely
bound to the support structure with a single restraint strap;
and
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an alternative preferred
implementation of the exercise machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 while in
operation and with the addition of a user-controlled actuator that
tightens or loosens the restraint of the user's pelvic region.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0020] As generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred
implementation of the invention is a user-controlled,
power-actuated machine 10 which limits or restrains movement of the
pelvis. Machine 10 comprises a vertical support structure 20 having
a vertical contact area 22 disposed thereon which is arranged and
designed to receive a user's pelvic region when the user stands
upright adjacent to the vertical contact area 22. The machine 10
uses a single restraint strap 12 which wraps around the user's
pelvic region and connects to the vertical support structure 20.
The user adjusts the vertical height of the single restraint strap
12 either manually or by controlling a powered actuator 16. The
user removes any slack in the single restraint strap 12 by
tightening strap 12 using a manually-operated mechanism 11 or a
user-controlled powered actuator 26 (FIG. 3). This draws the user's
pelvic region tightly against the vertical contact area 22 of
support structure 20 and frees the user to perform upper body and
midsection stretching and conditioning exercises. The user may face
forward (as shown in FIG. 1), backward (not shown), or sideways
(not shown) relative to the vertical contact area 22 of support
structure 20 while operating the machine 10 in order to varyingly
exercise the torso, and particularly the lumbar muscles of the
lower back.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the single restraint strap 12
comprises two sections 15, 17. An end portion of one section 15 of
strap 12 is connected to the vertical support structure 20 at
connection point 14. The other section 17 of strap 12 has an end
portion that is connected to the opposite side of the support
structure 20 at an analogous connection point (not shown).
Alternatively, the two strap sections 15, 17 may share a common
connection point (not shown) positioned on support structure 20.
Preferably, the free end portion of strap 15 (i.e., the end portion
not connection to the support structure 20) has a buckle, clasp,
hook and loop fastener, or other connection device 11 which couples
with a cooperative device 13 attached to the free end portion of
strap 17, such that the two sections 15, 17 of single restraint
strap 12 form a loop with the support structure 20. The sections
15, 17 of the single restraint strap 12 are arranged and designed
to be of sufficient length to couple about the user's waist or
midsection (i.e., have a circumference with the support structure
20 larger than the user's waist or midsection). Preferably, the
buckle, clasp, hook and loop fastener, or other connection device
11 is arranged and designed with a mechanism to remove any slack in
the single restraint strap 12 (e.g., as with a car seat buckle) and
thereby firmly restrain the user's pelvic region against the
support structure during use. While the sections 15, 17 of single
restraint strap 12 are each shown in FIG. 1 as having some length,
alternative implementations may have one of the sections 15, 17 of
little to no length such that the buckle, clasp, hook and loop
fastener, or other connection device 11 (or a cooperative device 13
therewith) are effectively a part of the support structure 20.
[0022] In a preferred implementation, as shown in FIG. 1, the
sections 15, 17 of the single restraint strap are arranged and
designed to couple near the center of the user's back when in
operation. This permits the sections 15, 17 of single restraint
strap 12 to be connected during use and any slack removed without
unduly twisting or rotating the user. It also permits the user to
enter and exist the machine 10 without having to detach an end
portion of strap 12 from its respective connection point 14 on
support structure 20. In another preferred implementation (FIG. 3),
the single restraint strap 12 is constructed as a continuing member
without sections and has the end portion un-releasably attached to
one side of the support structure 20. The free end portion of strap
12 may be connected to the opposite side of the support structure
20 using a buckle, clasp, hook and loop fastener or other
connection device 31 (and a cooperative device 33 therewith). More
preferably, the length of the strap 12 is adjustable after
connection using a hook and loop fastener disposed on the free end
portion of the strap 12. Padding 18 may also be affixed to the
single restraint strap 12 (i.e., one or both sections 15, 17
thereof) where the strap contacts the user to ensure that the strap
12 does not constrict or cause discomfort to the user while in
operation. Similarly, the vertical contact area 22 of support
structure 20 may be padded to ensure that the support structure 20
does not cause any discomfort to the user when the user's pelvic
region becomes restrained thereagainst during operation.
[0023] The height of the strap connection point 14 on the support
structure 20 is adjustable so that the single restraint strap 12
may be positioned high or low about the user's pelvic region while
maintaining the support strap 12 perpendicular or nearly
perpendicular to the user while the machine 10 is in operation. The
vertical height of the strap connection point 14 to the support
structure 20 is preferably adjusted using a user-controlled,
powered actuator 16; however, the height of the strap connection
point 14 could easily be adjusted manually in any known manner. As
shown in FIG. 1, the support structure actuator 16 adjusts the
vertical height of the strap connection point 14 by raising that
portion of the support structure 20 (i.e., vertical bars 19, 24 or
similar rigid members) so that the strap 12 properly contacts the
user's pelvic region during operation. Actuators and other powered
drive mechanisms which move and manipulate physical objects
relative to each other are well known in the art and thus will not
be discussed at length herein. Likewise, control interfaces for
actuators and similar mechanisms, which are operable by the user,
are also well known in the art and include, but are not limited to,
remote controlled devices, hard wired devices, wireless devices and
voice command systems. In one implementation of the invention, the
control interface (not shown) for the actuator 16 is a push button
control panel with a button that controls actuator 16 to raise the
vertical height of the strap connection point 14 and another button
that controls actuator 16 to lower the vertical height of the strap
connection point 14.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the strap connection point
14 is disposed on a vertical bar 24 of support structure 20. The
strap connection point disposed on the opposite side of the support
structure (not shown) is similarly disposed on a vertical bar 19
(FIG. 1) of the support structure 20. For illustration purposes,
the strap connection point 14 is shown as being disposed on a
vertical bar 24 but may actually be disposed on any rigid member of
support structure 20. In an alternative preferred implementation,
and as shown in FIG. 3, the vertical bar 24, or a similar rigid
member, is arranged and designed to move horizontally, relative to
the vertical support structure, toward or away from a user
operating the machine 10. When strap 12 is coupled around the user
and connected to the vertical bar 24, movement of the bar 24 away
from the user tightens the strap about the user and forces the
user's pelvic region to become increasingly restrained against the
vertical contact area 22 of support structure 20. Conversely,
movement of the bar 24 toward the user loosens the strap about the
user and reduces the restraint of the user's pelvic region against
the vertical contact area 22 of support structure 20. A strap
actuator 26 or similar powered mechanism is connected between the
vertical bar 24 and the support structure 20 to provide horizontal
movement to the vertical bar 24. Preferably, the rigid members
(e.g., the vertical bars 19, 24) to which the end portions of strap
12 are connected to on both sides of the support structure 20 are
physically connected to each other such that movement of the strap
actuator 26 simultaneously moves both rigid members 19, 24 in
unison, and therefore both end portions of strap 12. In this way,
the user is tightly restrained against the support structure 20 by
an equal force applied to both end portions of strap 12 and
rotational or radial movement of the user is mitigated.
[0025] Preferably, the user controls the operation of strap
actuator 26 while using the machine 10. In one implementation of
the invention, the control interface (not shown) for the strap
actuator 26 is a push button control panel with a button that
controls actuator 26 to increase the tautness of the strap 12 about
the user and the support structure 20, as described, and another
button that controls actuator 26 to decrease the tautness of the
strap 12 about the user and the support structure 20. Therefore,
when the user is positioned upright, against vertical contact area
22, and within the loop formed by the strap 12 and the support
structure 20, activating the button to increase the tautness of the
strap 12 draws the user's pelvis toward the support structure 20,
effectively binding the user's pelvis to the support structure 20.
Conversely, when the button is activated to decrease the tautness
of the strap 12, the user's pelvis becomes unbound from the support
structure 20.
[0026] In an alternative implementation, the single restraint strap
12 does not have a buckle, clasp, hook and loop fastener, or other
connection device 11 which couples the sections 15, 17 of the
single restraint strap 12 together at a location between connection
point of the strap 12 to the two opposing sides of support
structure 20. Instead, the single restraint strap 20 is constructed
as a continuous member without sections and has its two end
portions attachable to the two sides of the support structure 20
(as shown in FIG. 3), or alternatively, to a single point (not
shown) on the support structure 20. At least one end portion of the
strap 12 is preferably connected through a user controlled,
power-actuated drive mechanism (not shown) disposed at a strap
connection point 14, which controls slack in the strap 12.
Operation of the actuator (not shown) tightens or loosens the strap
disposed about the user by increasing or decreasing, respectively,
the length of the strap relative to the drive mechanism (not
shown). In other words, the drive mechanism "pulls" the strap 12
therethrough toward the support structure 20 or "pushes" the strap
therethrough away from the support structure 20.
[0027] As disclosed, the user easily controls, either manually or
through a powered actuator 26, the degree to which the user's
pelvic region is restrained against support structure 20. Binding
the user's pelvis and/or pelvic region to the support structure 20
with the single restraint strap 12 isolates the lumbar muscles and
permits the user to conduct specific lumbar muscle conditioning and
strengthening exercises. Such exercises may include, but are not
limited to, rotating and bending the torso about the immobilized
pelvic region while in an upright standing position. The user may
also perform the exercises, while facing forward, backward, or
sideways relative to the support structure 20. Further still, the
user can quickly adjust the vertical height at which the strap 12
is connected to the support structure 20 with the actuator control
(not shown), thereby adjusting up or down the position of the strap
12 about the user's pelvic region in order to vary the targeted
area to be exercised. A safety cord 30 or similar safety device
(FIG. 2), coupled to the support structure 20 and preferably
constructed of an elastic/resilient material, is provided which
fits underneath the user's arms and across the user's back to
ensure that the user does not slide out of the single restraint
strap 12 or otherwise become detached from the machine 10 while
performing lumbar muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, a strap 40, line, cord, rope,
chain, or similar device is connected to a weight stack 44 through
a series of sheaves or pulleys 42 disposed on support structure 20.
The strap 40 preferably has a loop which fits around the user's
torso (e.g., under the user's arms and across the user's back),
however, other attachment mechanisms may be used. The strap 40
connected to weight stack 44 provides additional upper body
resistance to the user while exercising.
[0028] In a preferred method of the invention, the user stands
upright in front of the support structure 20 and couples the
uncoupled single restraint strap 12 (e.g., couples the two sections
15, 17 of strap 12) around the pelvic area and to the support
structure 20. The user next adjusts the vertical height of the
strap connection point 14 and thus the strap 12 by pressing the
appropriate control button (not shown) to raise or lower the strap
using actuator 16. The user controls the actuator 16 until the
strap 12 is raised to the desired height in comparison to the
user's pelvic region. With the strap 12 wrapped around the user
perpendicularly to the support structure 20, the user then removes
any slack in the strap 12 either by tightening strap 12 using the
mechanism of connection device 11 or by operating strap actuator 26
thereby drawing the user's pelvis toward the support structure
20.
[0029] Once the user's pelvis is secured to the support structure
20, the user places the safety cord 30, strap, or similar device
underneath the user's arms and across the user's back to ensure
that the user does not slide out of the single restraint strap 12
or otherwise become detached from the machine 10 while performing
lumbar muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises.
Alternatively, the user disposes strap 40 (connected to weight
stack 44) around her torso in order to provide additional upper
body weighted resistance while exercising. The user may then
perform stretching and conditioning exercises by bending and/or
rotating the upper body about the restrained pelvis region. If the
single restraint strap 12 is or becomes too tight about the user's
midsection, the user may at any time loosen the strap 12 using the
mechanism of connection device 11 or by operating strap actuator
26. Conversely, if the single restraint strap 12 is or become too
loose while performing the lumbar conditioning and strengthening
exercises, then the user may at any time tighten strap 12 by using
connection device 11 or by operating strap actuator 26. After the
user has fully exercised the isolated lumbar muscles, the user
simply loosens the single restraint strap 12 by using the mechanism
of connection device 11 or by operating strap actuator 26. The user
then unhooks, uncouples, or similarly unfastens the strap 12 to be
released from the machine 10. The advantages of this machine 10
over prior art devices include, but are not limited to, its ease of
use, its versatility and its ability to change the area or position
to be exercised quickly with minimal effort.
[0030] The Abstract of the disclosure is written solely for
providing the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the
public at large with a means by which to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure,
and it represents one implementation of the invention and is not
indicative of the nature of the invention as a whole.
[0031] While some embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in detail, the invention is not limited to the
embodiments shown; modifications and adaptations of the above
embodiment may occur to those skilled in the art. Such
modifications and adaptations are in the spirit and scope of the
invention as set forth herein:
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