U.S. patent application number 13/570727 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for stretching exercise apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUPERWEIGH ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Simon Chao, Sunny Lee. Invention is credited to Simon Chao, Sunny Lee.
Application Number | 20130225377 13/570727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47719693 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130225377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Sunny ; et al. |
August 29, 2013 |
Stretching Exercise Apparatus
Abstract
A stretching exercise apparatus includes a first leg frame, a
second leg frame oppositely spaced apart from the first leg frame,
a seat frame connected transversely to the first and second leg
frames, a leg lift frame pivoted to the first leg frame, an upright
bar extending upwardly from and connected foldably to a top end of
the first leg frame, and an elastic cord unit extending through the
upright bar and the first leg frame and having one end connected to
the leg lift frame and another end extending outwardly of the
upright bar.
Inventors: |
Lee; Sunny; (Nan-Tou Hsien,
TW) ; Chao; Simon; (Nan-Tou Hsien, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lee; Sunny
Chao; Simon |
Nan-Tou Hsien
Nan-Tou Hsien |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUPERWEIGH ENTERPRISE CO.,
LTD.
Nan-Tou Hsien
TW
|
Family ID: |
47719693 |
Appl. No.: |
13/570727 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/130 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/1263 20130101;
A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 23/0233
20130101; A63B 23/03533 20130101; A63B 23/0494 20130101; A63B
21/0442 20130101; A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/4031 20151001; A63B 21/4034 20151001; A63B 21/154 20130101;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 23/0482 20130101; A63B 2023/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/130 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/04 20060101
A63B021/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2012 |
TW |
101203290 |
Claims
1. A stretching exercise apparatus comprising: a bench unit
including a first leg frame, a second leg frame oppositely spaced
apart from said first leg frame, a seat frame connected
transversely to said first and second leg frames, and a leg lift
frame pivoted to said first leg frame; an upright bar extending
upwardly from and connected foldably to a top end of said first leg
frame; and an elastic cord unit extending through said upright bar
and said first leg frame and having one end connected to said leg
lift frame and another end extending outwardly of said upright
bar.
2. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said first leg frame includes a first leg, said seat frame
including two spaced-apart seat bars connected respectively to two
opposite lateral sides of said first leg, and a pivot member
connected to one ends of said seat bars that are distal from said
first leg, said seat frame further including a seat cushion
supported on said seat bars and pivoted to said pivot member to be
turnable upward relative to said seat bars, said upright bar being
pivotal downward relative to said first leg frame to be disposed
between said seat bars when said seat cushion is turned and lifted
upward.
3. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said seat frame further includes two connecting seats disposed
respectively on the other ends of said seat bars, said upright bar
including a connecting piece pivoted to said connecting seats.
4. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said leg lift frame includes a movable bar having an upper end
pivoted to said first leg frame and a lower end opposite to said
upper end, and a hook disposed on said lower end and facing said
first leg, said elastic cord unit including an elastic cord and two
pull rings, said elastic cord being folded in half to form a folded
end at said one end of said elastic cord unit and fixed to said
hook, and two connecting ends at said another end of said elastic
cord unit, said pull rings being respectively connected to said
connecting ends and being disposed externally of said upright
bar.
5. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said first leg frame further includes two fixing plates
respectively disposed on said lateral sides of said first leg
opposite to said seat bars, and a lower support rod extending
through said fixing plates in a direction transverse to said first
leg and said seat bars, said movable bar being pivoted to said
fixing plates.
6. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further
comprising an upper support rod disposed transversely on said
upright bar in proximity to a top end thereof and spaced apart from
said seat frame, and an upper rotatable knob connected removably to
said upright bar and said upper support rod, said leg lift frame
further including an ankle engaging rod extending transversely
through said movable bar.
7. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said bench unit further includes a lower rotatable knob connected
removably to said first leg and said upright bar.
8. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said second leg frame includes a bottom rod, two support rods
having bottom ends connected to said bottom rod and top ends
connected respectively to bottom sides of said seat bars, and two
pulley sets disposed on said bottom rod, said support rods being
disposed between said pulley sets.
9. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein
each of said pulley sets includes a seat fixed to said bottom rod,
and a pulley disposed on said seat.
10. The stretching exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4,
wherein said upright bar includes two upper pulleys disposed on a
top portion thereof, said first leg frame further including a lower
pulley disposed on a bottom side of said first leg and facing said
hook, said elastic cord being looped around said upper and lower
pulleys.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more
particularly to a stretching exercise apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the current busy society, people work in a regular
workplace for long hours in a sitting or standing position. As a
result, his/her body muscles may become sore and tired. To relieve
the soreness and fatigue of the body muscles, he/she stands up to
make some body stretching or change his/her working posture.
However, following the popularity of exercise and health concepts,
people are becoming more conscious about their body health and
shape. Thus, how to effectively use an exerciser to assist self
stretching of the body becomes relatively important.
[0005] Currently available stretching exercisers are monotonous in
use and are relatively heavy and thus not easy to store.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a
stretching exercise apparatus that is lightweight and that can
provide various exercises to achieve stretching of body
muscles.
[0007] According to the present invention, a stretching exercise
apparatus includes a bench unit, an upright bar, and an elastic
cord unit. The bench unit includes a first leg frame, a second leg
frame oppositely spaced apart from the first leg frame, a seat
frame connected transversely to the first and second leg frames,
and a leg lift frame pivoted to the first leg frame. The upright
bar extends upwardly from and is connected foldably to a top end of
the first leg frame. The elastic cord unit extends through the
upright bar and the first leg frame, and has one end connected to
the leg lift frame and another end extending outwardly of the
upright bar.
[0008] The beneficial effect of the present invention resides in
that through coordination of the bench unit, the upright bar and
the elastic cord unit, a user can perform various stretching
exercises to effect stretching of his/her body muscles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretching exercise
apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the preferred
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment
with a seat cushion removed to illustrate how an upright bar is
disposed between seat bars of a seat frame;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a first exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a second exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a third exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a seventh exercise using the preferred
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates an eighth exercise using the preferred
embodiment; and
[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates a ninth exercise using the preferred
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The above-mentioned and other technical contents, features,
and effects of this invention will be clearly presented from the
following detailed description of one embodiment in coordination
with the reference drawings.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a stretching exercise apparatus
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown to include a bench unit 2 and a support unit 3.
[0025] The bench unit 2 includes a first leg frame 21, a second leg
frame 23 oppositely spaced apart from the first leg frame 21, a
seat frame 22 connected transversely to the first and second leg
frames 21, 23, a leg lift frame 24 that is pivoted to the first leg
frame 21 and that is opposite to the seat frame 22, a seat cushion
25 disposed on the seat frame 22, and a lower rotatable knob 26
connected removably to the first leg frame 21.
[0026] The first leg frame 21 includes a first leg 211, two fixing
plates 212 respectively fixed to two opposite lateral sides of the
first leg 211, a lower support rod 213 extending through the fixing
plates 212 in a direction transverse to the first leg 211, and a
lower pulley 214 disposed on a bottom side of the first leg
211.
[0027] The seat frame 22 includes two spaced-apart seat bars 221
connected respectively to the two opposite lateral sides of the
first leg 211, a pivot member 222 connected to one ends of the seat
bars 221 that are distal from the first leg 211, and two connecting
seats 223 disposed respectively on the other ends of the seat bars
221.
[0028] The second leg frame 23 includes a bottom rod 232, two
support rods 231 having bottom ends connected to the bottom rod 232
and top ends connected respectively to bottom sides of the seat
bars 221, and two pulley sets 233 disposed on the bottom rod 232.
The support rods 231 are disposed between the pulley sets 233. Each
of the pulley sets 233 includes a seat 234 fixed to the bottom rod
232, and a pulley 235 mounted rotatably on the seat 234.
[0029] The leg lift frame 24 includes a movable bar 241 having an
upper end 2411 pivoted between the fixing plates 212 and a lower
end 2412 opposite to the upper end 2411, a hook 242 that is
disposed on the lower end 2412 of the movable bar 241 and that
faces the lower pulley 214, and an ankle engaging rod 243 extending
transversely through the movable bar 241 at the lower end 2412
thereof.
[0030] The seat cushion 25 is supported on the seat bars 221, and
is pivoted to the pivot member 222 at one end thereof. The seat
cushion is rotatable about the pivot member 222 so as to be
turnable upward relative to the seat bars 221.
[0031] The support unit 3 includes an upright bar 31, an elastic
cord unit 32, an upper support rod 34, and an upper rotatable knob
35.
[0032] The upright bar 31 extends upwardly from and is connected
foldably to a top end of the first leg 211. The upright bar 31 has
a plurality of spaced-apart holes 311, a connecting piece 33
disposed on a bottom end thereof and pivoted to the connecting
seats 223, and two upper pulleys 36 disposed on a top end
thereof.
[0033] The elastic cord unit 32 includes a woven elastic cord 321
and two pull rings 322. The elastic cord 321 is folded in half to
form a folded end 3211 that extends through the upright bar 31 and
the first leg 211 and that is fixed to the hook 242, and two
connecting ends 3212 extending outwardly of the upright bar 31. The
elastic cord 321 is looped around the upper and lower pulleys 36,
214. The pull rings 322 are respectively connected to the
connecting ends 3212 and are disposed externally of the upright bar
31.
[0034] The upper support rod 34 is disposed transversely on the
upright bar 31 in proximity to the top end thereof and is spaced
apart from the seat frame 22.
[0035] The upper rotatable knob 35 is connected threadedly and
removably to the upright bar 31 and the upper support rod 34.
[0036] In this embodiment, the lower rotatable knob 26 is connected
threadedly and removably to the first leg 211 and the upright bar
31, so that the upright bar 31 can be stably inserted into the
first leg 211 of the first leg frame 21.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, in combination with FIG. 1, in use, the
upright bar 31 can be folded or unfolded in accordance with the
requirements of a user. When the user needs to fold the upright bar
31, the upper rotatable knob 35 is first loosened so that the upper
support rod 34 can be removed, after which the upper support rod 34
is connected to one of the holes 311 so as to be disposed parallel
with the upright bar 31. Subsequently, the lower rotatable knob 26
is loosened, the seat cushion 25 is turned and lifted upward, and
the upright bar 31 is pivotal downward relative to the first leg
frame 21 to be disposed between the seat bars 211, after which the
seat cushion 25 is turned downwardly to cover the seat bars 211.
Further, the pull rings 322 are pulled so as to loop the two
connecting ends 3212 of the elastic cord 321 respectively around
the pulleys 235 of the two pulley sets 233, so that the pull rings
322 can be conveniently gripped by the user during exercise.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a first exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user lies on the seat cushion 25, lifts one leg to
rest on one side of the upper support rod 34, and then stretches
both his/her hands toward the head. This exercise can achieve
stretching of the user's whole body muscle.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a second exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user sits on the seat cushion 25 facing the upright
bar 31 and with his/her feet hooked on the ankle engaging rod 243.
With both hands gripping the seat cushion 25, the user can start
the exercise by moving his/her legs upward and downward a
periodical manner to effect stretching of his/her leg muscles.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows a third exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user sits on the seat cushion 25 facing the upright
bar 31 and with his/her feet hooked on the ankle engaging rod 243.
With both hands grasping the two pull rings 322, the user can start
the exercise by moving his/her upper body downward toward the seat
cushion 25 and upward toward the upright bar 31 using the forces
from his/her hands and abdomen. This exercise can achieve
stretching of the user's waist and back muscles.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows a fourth exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user sits on the seat cushion 25 spaced apart from
the upright bar 31 but facing the same. With both hands grasping
the two pull rings 322, the user can start the exercise by
alternately pulling the pull rings 322, thereby effecting
stretching of the user's shoulder muscles.
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a fifth exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user sits on the seat cushion 25 with his/her back
facing the upright bar 31. With both hands gripping the two pull
rings 322, the user can start the exercise by pulling the pull
rings 322 away from the upright bar 31 and moving his/her upper
body toward and away from the upright bar 31 using the forces from
his/her waist and hands, thereby effecting stretching of the user's
back and waist muscles.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a sixth exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user sits on the seat cushion 25 with his/her back
facing the upright bar 31. With both hands gripping the two pull
rings 322, the user can start the exercise by simultaneously
pulling the pull rings 322 to simulate a butterfly swimming style.
This exercise can achieve stretching of the user's back
muscles.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a seventh exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The user lies on the seat cushion 25 with his/her head
toward the upright bar 31, and lifts his/her legs to hook his/her
feet into the two pull rings 322. The user can start the exercise
by simultaneously moving both his/her legs toward and away from the
upright bar 31 using the forces from his/her legs and abdomen,
thereby achieving the effect of stretching muscles of the user's
hips and legs.
[0045] FIG. 12 shows an eighth exercise similar to the seventh
exercise. However, in this exercise, the user's legs are moved
alternately. The effect of stretching the muscles of the user's
hips and legs can be similarly achieved.
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a ninth exercise using the preferred
embodiment. The upright bar 31 is folded under the seat cushion 25,
and the connecting ends 3212 of the woven elastic cord 321 are
respectively looped around the pulleys 235. The user lies on the
seat cushion 25, and starts the exercise by gripping the pull rings
322 with both hands and then pulling the pull rings 322. Hence, the
effect of stretching muscles of the user's arms and chest can be
achieved.
[0047] The effects and advantages of the stretching exercise
apparatus of this invention can be summarized as follows:
[0048] 1. Through coordination of the bench unit 2 and the support
unit 3, the user can perform various body exercises, thereby
achieving the effect of stretching the whole body muscle.
[0049] 2. Because the upright bar 31 can be folded under the seat
cushion 25, the present invention can provide various
exercises.
[0050] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *