U.S. patent application number 12/075078 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for stride stretcher.
Invention is credited to Brian E. Campbell.
Application Number | 20080293550 12/075078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40072949 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080293550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Brian E. |
November 27, 2008 |
Stride stretcher
Abstract
A unique apparatus designed to facilitate various types of
stretches and exercise routines found in yoga, Pilates, fitness,
and rehabilitation. The Stride Stretcher.TM. has a
one-size-fits-most design, allowing comfort in operation. The
Stride Stretcher.TM. is designed to increase range of motion of the
ankle joint in all three clinical planes of motion, while affecting
the muscular walking system of the hips, legs, and lower back. The
design allows for adjustment based on the preference of the user
via a Velcro strap. The unit has a firm, non-flexible base that
prevents the foot from bending, while allowing complete freedom for
the ankle joint. The top portion of the foot casing is a soft,
flexible material that can accommodate varying foot size
comfortably. The pivoting handles allow for a comfortable grip,
keeping the muscles relaxed in the upper body, and prevent unwanted
torsional forces in the wrist.
Inventors: |
Campbell; Brian E.; (Oxnard,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brian E. Campbell
P.O. Box 5105
Oxnard
CA
93031-5105
US
|
Family ID: |
40072949 |
Appl. No.: |
12/075078 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60906045 |
Mar 8, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/121 ;
482/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/006 20130101;
A63B 26/00 20130101; A63B 23/0482 20130101; A63B 23/03508 20130101;
A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 21/00181
20130101; A63B 21/4015 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/121 ;
482/145 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02; A63B 26/00 20060101 A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. A stride and leg stretching system for enabling stretching of a
user's musculo-skeletal system generally at or below the user's
hips, said stride and leg stretching system comprising: a
foot-engaging portion for securely engaging a foot, said
foot-engaging portion having a front side, a rear side, a left
side, and a right side, said foot-engaging portion being detachably
attachable to a foot, said foot-engaging portion having a sole
adapted to prevent a foot from bending while providing freedom of
articulation for the ankle joint, said sole having a lower side for
engaging the ground and an upper side for engaging a foot, said
sole of resilient material sufficient to support a person's weight
and to provide pedal support for said person's foot said lower side
of said sole having at least one side of a hook and loop fastener
pair exposed thereon, said sole adapted to provide easier
adjustment for various size feet via said at least one side of a
hook and loop fastener pair; said sole being approximately
three-sixteenth inch thick, being approximately ten inches long,
having a front width of approximately four and five-eighths inch,
and having a rear heel insert area of approximately three inches;
said sole having said left side and said right side raised
approximately one inch in height tapering to approximately two
inches in height at approximately said heel insert area; said
foot-engaging portion further having a harness coupled to said sole
and adapted to detachably engage a foot to hold said sole on said
foot, said harness further having a rear ankle strap and a front
securing strap with said rear ankle strap adapted to secure an
ankle upon a heel portion of said sole and said front securing
strap adapted to secure a front part of a foot upon a front of said
sole; said rear ankle strap approximately two inches wide,
approximately thirteen inches long and approximately three-eights
inches thick and constructed of soft, pliable material; said front
securing strap approximately two inches wide and approximately
twelve inches in length; a manual-engagement strap for manual
engagement by a person wearing said foot-engaging portion, said
manual engagement strap attached on a first side to said left side
of said foot-engaging portion and attached on a second side to said
right side of said foot-engaging portion said manual-engagement
strap including soft, pliable woven material, said manual
engagement strap being approximately six feet in length, being
approximately one and one-half inches in width, and being
approximately one-sixteenth inch in thickness; said manual
engagement strap defining a hand insert; said hand insert having a
first opening approximately eighteen inches from a point of
attachment of said manual engagement strap with said foot-engaging
portion, said hand insert being approximately five inches long and
having approximately four loops adapted for engagement by a hand,
each of said loops separated by approximately two inches whereby a
user may use a hand to articulate said manual engagement strap and
said foot-engaging portion; a removable handle adapted for engaging
an opening in said manual-engagement strap, said removable handle
enabling better manual engagement of said manual-engagement strap
and resulting flexible articulation of the person's foot; said
removable handle further having a hook portion for removably
engaging said manual-engagement strap and a handle portion coupled
to said hook portion, said handle portion adapted for manual
engagement and controlling tension on said hook portion; whereby a
person may attach said foot-engaging portion to his foot and
subsequently stretch his stride and/or leg associated with his foot
by manipulating and engaging said manual-engagement strap either
manually or with said removable handle.
2. A stride and leg stretching system, comprising: a foot-engaging
portion for securely engaging a foot, said foot-engaging portion
having a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side,
said foot-engaging portion being detachably attachable to a foot;
and a manual-engagement strap for manual engagement by a person
wearing said foot-engaging portion, said manual engagement strap
attached on a first side to said left side of said foot-engaging
portion and attached on a second side to said right side of said
foot-engaging portion; whereby a person may attach said
foot-engaging portion to his foot and subsequently stretch his
stride and/or leg associated with his foot by manipulating and
engaging said manual-engagement strap.
3. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 2,
wherein said foot-engaging portion further comprises: a sole
adapted to prevent a foot from bending while providing freedom of
articulation for the ankle joint, said sole having a lower side for
engaging the ground and an upper side for engaging a foot.
4. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein said sole further comprises: said sole of resilient
material sufficient to support a person's weight and to provide
pedal support for said person's foot.
5. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 4,
wherein said sole further comprises: said lower side having at
least one side of a hook and loop fastener pair exposed
thereon.
6. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 5,
wherein said sole further comprises: said lower side adapted to
provide easier adjustment for various size feet via said at least
one side of a hook and loop fastener pair.
7. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein said sole further comprises: said sole being approximately
three-sixteenth inch thick, being approximately ten inches long,
having a front width of approximately four and five-eighths inch,
and having a rear heel insert area of approximately three inches;
and said sole having said left side and said right side raised
approximately one inch in height tapering to approximately two
inches in height at approximately said heel insert area.
8. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 3,
wherein said foot-engaging portion further comprises: a harness,
said harness coupled to said sole and adapted to detachably engage
a foot to hold said sole on said foot.
9. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 8,
wherein said harness further comprises: a rear ankle strap and a
front securing strap; said rear ankle strap adapted to secure an
ankle upon a heel portion of said sole; and said front securing
strap adapted to secure a front part of a foot upon a front of said
sole.
10. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 9,
wherein said rear ankle strap is approximately two inches wide,
approximately thirteen inches long and approximately three-eights
inches thick and is constructed of soft, pliable material.
11. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 9,
wherein said front securing strap is approximately two inches wide
and approximately twelve inches in length.
12. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 2,
wherein said manual-engagement strap further comprises: said
manual-engagement strap including soft, pliable woven material,
said manual engagement strap being approximately six feet in
length, being approximately one and one-half inches in width, and
being approximately one-sixteenth inch in thickness.
13. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 12,
wherein said manual-engagement strap further comprises: said manual
engagement strap defining a hand insert.
14. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 13,
wherein said manual-engagement strap further comprises: said hand
insert having a first opening approximately eighteen inches from a
point of attachment of said manual engagement strap with said
foot-engaging portion, said hand insert being approximately five
inches long and having approximately four loops adapted for
engagement by a hand, each of said loops separated by approximately
two inches whereby a user may use a hand to articulate said manual
engagement strap and said foot-engaging portion.
15. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 2,
further comprising: a removable handle adapted for engaging an
opening in said manual-engagement strap, said removable handle
enabling better manual engagement of said manual-engagement strap
and resulting flexible articulation of the person's foot.
16. A stride and leg stretching system as set forth in claim 15,
wherein said removable handle further comprises: a hook portion for
removably engaging said manual-engagement strap; and a handle
portion coupled to said hook portion, said handle portion adapted
for manual engagement and controlling tension on said hook portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
Stride Stretcher.TM.
[0001] I hereby claim the priority of my earlier filed provisional
application No. 60/906,045 filed on Mar. 8, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to device-assisted stretching to
access the muscle groups found in the low back, upper thigh, lower
legs, and feet, for the purpose of enhancing the gait pattern of
the user.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The concept for this design came about during my
participation in an exercise class that focused on biomechanical
function of the lower body. During that class, the instructor was
trying to get foot motion using a strap, but without the ability to
stabilize the foot, the stretch wasn't effective. The canvas
material of the yoga strap also prevented ease of motion about the
wrist and elbows, creating excessive tension in the upper body
while trying to do a relaxing stretch. This design maximizes the
range of motion of the ankle in all three planes (sagittal,
frontal, and transverse), while also allowing the user to keep the
shoulders relaxed and the forearms from gripping excessively.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The Stride Stretcher.TM. is disclosed that better
facilitates passive stretching for functional movements of the hips
and legs while walking. The end user of this product has the
ability to increase range of motion of the ankle, knee, hips, and
low back. The Stride Stretcher.TM. can be used in the home of an
individual, in a physical therapy/rehabilitation clinic, or in a
fitness-class format.
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS
[0005] The Stride Stretcher.TM. is a unique foot support for
holding the foot in extended fashion with straps to facilitate
manipulation of movement of the foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Stride Stretcher.TM.
showing the sole of the unit, front securing strap, front securing
hand strap, sole traction pads, sole insert, unit hand strap and
the rear ankle strap.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the removable pivoting handles.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top-side view of the small ankle strap and sole
insert.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of the Stride Stretcher.TM. without
the straps attached.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top-side view of the Stride Stretcher.TM.
without the straps attached.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a view of the unit strap ring.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTS
[0012] #11 Sole of Unit--The sole of the unit is comprised of a
three-sixteenth inch thick plastic, molded material. The length is
ten inches. The front width is four and five-eighths inch with the
rear heal insert being three inches. The raised sides are one inch
in height tapering to two inches at the heal insert.
[0013] #12 Unit Hand Strap--The unit hand strap is comprised of a
soft, pliable woven material six feet in length, one and one-half
inches in width and one-sixteenth inch thickness. The first opening
of the hand insert is eighteen inches from the unit to the point of
attachment on both sides. The hand insert is five inches long with
a two inch spacing between loops for a total of four inserts for
the use of hands to articulate unit.
[0014] #13 Removable Pivoting Handles--There are two
interchangeable handles and are made from a hollow-plastic sleeve
that is five inches wide with a three-quarter inch diameter. The
hook on the handles attaches to the hand openings of the unit hand
strap. The strap of the removable pivoting handles feeds through
the plastic sleeves that attach to the housing unit and is one inch
thick by fifteen inches in length. The pivoting handles attach to
the unit strap using a metal hook that is three inches long and is
three-sixteenths in diameter. The mouth of the hook has a one inch
opening that feeds the hand opening of the unit straps.
[0015] #14 Front Securing Strap--Strap used to secure the foot in
the unit and is two inches in width by twelve inches in length.
[0016] #15 Front Securing Hold Down--The front securing hold down
is a plastic, reticular ring with radius edges that allows the
front securing strap to feed through and return over the foot to
secure the foot in the unit and is two and three-eights by three
quarter inches.
[0017] #16 Rear Ankle Strap--A two inch wide by thirteen inch long
by three-eights inches thick soft, pliable material used to strap
the ankle in place within the unit.
[0018] #17 Small Ankle Strap--A six inch long by one inch wide
soft, pliable material that seats the heal in the unit.
[0019] #18 Sole Insert--The sole insert measures ten inches in
length and is one-half inch thick memory foam lining the inside of
the hard plastic molded unit.
[0020] #19 Sole Traction Pads--The sole traction pads measure eight
and three-quarters inches in length and are three and one-quarter
wide at the front and two and one-half inches at the rear radius
corners for conforming heels.
[0021] #20 Unit Strap Ring--The unit strap ring is a metal ring
measuring one and three-eighth inches in diameter and is one-eighth
inch in thickness and is used to feed the strap through for storing
purposes.
STRIDE STRETCHER.TM. PART NUMBER/DESCRIPTION
[0022] #11 Sole of Unit [0023] #12 Unit Hand Strap [0024] #13
Removable Pivoting Handles [0025] #14 Front Securing Strap [0026]
#15 Front Securing Hand Strap [0027] #16 Rear Ankle Straps [0028]
#17 Small Ankle Strap [0029] #18 Sole Insert [0030] #19 Sole
Traction Pads [0031] #20 Unit Strap Ring
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