Apparatus for Exercise, Body Stretching, Neuromuscular and Other Orthopedic Movements

This application relates to an improved apparatus for exercise and body stretching to facilitate neuromuscular and other orthopedic movements for the purpose of rehabilitation or generally to gain and maintain flexibility and fitness, and more particularly to an apparatus having a stable base and a cross-bar, each side of which may be separately adjusted with minimal effort or assistance.

Stretching devices for disabled users generally are known, but tend to be complicated, expensive and take up much room. In using such devices, the exerciser typically requires assistance from an attendant for proper use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,195 (Chavanne) relates to a body exercising device having a vertical or horizontal surface to support the user's back and a pad opposing the surface and rotatable about a screw for pressing against the user's abdomen. The pad can be moved toward or away from the user by one of two handles provided on the screw. One handle is positioned for operation by an assistant, and the other handle is positioned for operation by the user.

Other more compact or collapsible exercise devices may be difficult to use by handicapped or disabled individuals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,646 (Klein), for example, shows a stretching device for ballet dancers. The device includes a cross-piece threaded at its center on a threaded pole. The threaded pole has a base at its bottom and a handle at its top. The dancer's feet are drawn close to the body and engage the base. The dancer's knees are spread apart and the cross-piece is positioned over the knees. The handle is rotated to displace the cross-piece vertically to press the knees downward. The device appears subject to toppling, and appears to require significant effort to turn the handle while maintaining balance. Some users may not have the strength or coordination to maintain the apparatus in proper position.

There is therefore a continuing need for a stretching and exercise apparatus which is structurally stable and relatively simple to use with minimal or no assistance.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of known exercise devices by providing an exercise apparatus which is structurally stable, simple to use and simple to assemble and disassemble for storage or transport. The invention provides a stretching and exercise apparatus comprising a base having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel vertically extending threaded uprights. A cross-bar extends between the uprights when mounted in a transverse position with respect to the uprights. An adjustable retainer on each upright engages one end of the cross-bar. The adjustable retainers releasably grip the upright. The cross-bar may be lowered against the knees or lower thighs of the user thereby stretching the user's muscles and joints.

Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise and stretching apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view partially in section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the folding platform for use in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the folding platform shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of an adjustable retainer for use in the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a second preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in combination with a hospital bed.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the exercise and stretching apparatus of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 generally comprises a base 12 including first and second extendable uprights 14, 16 and a cross-bar 18 which spans or extends between the first and second uprights 14, 16. First and second adjustable retainers 20, 22 hold the cross-bar 18 in movable relationship with the uprights 14, 16. A platform 24 covers the base 12.

The base 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a pair of transversely extending legs 26, 28 to which are rigidly connected to sleeves 30, 32 by welding, soldering or other method of attaching metal to metal. As shown in FIG. 1, a representative leg 26 extends on both sides of the sleeve 30 to provide sufficient stability and balance to that side of the apparatus 10. The sleeves 30, 32 include openings 34, 36 drilled transversely therethrough to receive a pin 38. The legs 26, 28 are rigidly connected to one another by beam 40, which for convenience may disassemble into three nesting or otherwise interconnecting pieces 40a,b,c. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, beam 40 may include three portions 40a which is mounted or connected to first upright 14, 40b which may be attached to the underside of platform 24 and may be hinged as shown in FIG. 4, and 40c which is attached to second upright 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, first and second extendable uprights 14, 16 have partially or fully threaded rods 42, 44 having a plurality of transverse openings 46a,b,c drilled therethrough to receive pin 38 for positioning and adjusting rods 42, 44 to a desired elevation. Each rod has a cap 48 to protect the user and the threading, and to prevent the adjustable retainers 20, 22 from inadvertently slipping off.

The cross-bar 18 includes two longitudinally extending members 50, 52 joined by two or more cross-pieces 54, 56. The cross-pieces 54, 56 are sized to join the longitudinally extending members 50, 52 such that they form a pair of prongs 60, 62 at respective ends of the cross-bar. Preferably the first cross-piece 54 is placed closer to one of the pronged ends 60, 62 than the second cross-piece 56. This allows the cross-bar 18 to be installed easily by sliding the end 62 having the longer prongs onto the respective adjustable retainer 22. The cross-bar 18 also includes a spirit level 64 and optional timer. A pair of slidable pads 66, 68 enable quick release or escape from the apparatus 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slidable pads 66, 68 have brackets 70, 72 to capture the longitudinal members 50, 52 to permit adjustment so that the foam pads 74, 76 may be aligned with the user's knee or lower thigh.

FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 help understand the structure of the platform 24. The platform 24 may be a pad which overlies the base 12 or more particularly beam 40, but preferably the platform 24 has the structure depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The platform 24 can fold into two or more portions to permit easy carrying and storage. In the case of a two-piece platform, half portions 24a and 24b are connected by piano hinge 78 bisecting the platform 24 (best shown in FIG. 2). Where the platform 24 connects with the base 12 the platform has affixed to the bottom a portion 40b of beam 40 and additional support members 80, 82, which are roughly the same thickness as beam 40, so that the platform provides a flat and supportive surface on which the user can sit or lie. Alternatively, beam portion 40b can be a rib (not shown) positioned to cooperate with support member 82 to capture beam 40 between the rib and the support member 82, thereby preventing slippage of the platform 24.

The first and second retainers 20, 22 may be based on, for example, a screw mechanism, a rachet mechanism, or releasable slidable clamps. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, each of the first and second adjustable retainers 20, 22 has similar if not identical construction. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the retainers 20, 22 has a hollow (preferably unthreaded) cylindrical sleeve 84 at the bottom of which is fitted a bearing snap ring 86. A nylon spool 88 having a central bore therethrough fits onto the sleeve 84 and rests against snap ring 86. The spool 88 has shoulders 90, 92 which capture the pronged ends 60, 62 of the cross-pieces 54, 56. At the upper end of the spool 88 a cup 94 is cut or formed to receive a thrust bearing 96 (or other bearing) which lies underneath a threaded nut/threaded collar 98. The threaded nut 98 attaches to sleeve 84 and mates with the threading on rods 42, 44. The nut 98 is covered by a housing or cover 100 (held by friction) onto which are welded or otherwise attached three knobbed turning handles 102. The interior of the cylindrical sleeve 84 is sized to be slightly larger in diameter than the diameters of the first and second threaded rods 40, 42. This arrangement permits the spool 88 to move vertically without rotating when the height of cross-bar 18 gets adjusted. Alternatively, the entire adjustable retainer 20, 22 can be molded in one or two pieces of Delrin.

The cross-bar 18 may be of 1" square (cross-section) aluminum, about 48 inches long with cross-pieces 54, 56 arranged so that the longer slot measures approximately 21 inches with the smaller slot of 6" long. The uprights and the threaded rods may be made of aluminum, steel, or preferably Delrin.

The exercise and stretching apparatus 10 is assembled and used as follows, referring to FIGS. 1-5. The base 12 is assembled by positioning legs 26, 28 at a suitable distance apart with the sleeves 30, 32 standing upright. A partially or fully threaded rod 42, 44 is inserted into each sleeve 30, 32 and a pin 38 is inserted in each opening 34, 36 in the sleeve 32 and in one of the openings 46a,b,c in the rods 42, 44 to hold the rod 42, 44 at a predetermined elevation in the sleeve 30, 32. The legs 26, 28 are sized and weighted such that the base 12 is freestanding without beam 40 to ease assembly, but strengthens and rigidifies considerably when interconnecting portions of the beam 40a,b,c are connected to link the first and second uprights 14, 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 where a portion of the beam 40b is attached to the platform 24, the platform 24 is placed in folded position to align beam portion 40b with ends of beam portions 40a and 40c. The beam portions 40a,b,c slide or otherwise connect into one another, thus completing assembly of the base 12. Adjustable retainers 20, 22 are placed on each extendable threaded rod 42, 44 and adjusted so that the retainers 20, 22 are approximately the same height from the floor or other surface (not shown). The platform 24 is unfolded, then cross-bar 18 is installed onto the retainers 20, 22 by inserting long slot 63 onto spool 88 with the cross-bar 18 at an angle to a horizontal plane. The bar 18 is slid around spool 88 further than its ultimate intended position, and then is turned about a horizontal axis until the cross-bar is parallel to the platform 24. The cross-bar 18 is then slid in an opposite direction toward second retainer 22 so that the pronged end 62 engages spool 88 of the second retainer 22. Cross-pieces 54, 56 limit the horizontal displacement of cross-bar 18 so that both ends of cross-bar 18 securely engage the retainers 20, 22.

Finally, slidable pads 66, 68 are moved into approximate position to rest above the knees of the user when sitting on the platform 24. The cross-bar may be adjusted by reference to level 64.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user sits cross-legged on platform 24 facing the cross-bar 18 with his body on one side of the cross-bar 18 and his knees on the other side. The user rotates each handle 102, 104 to move adjustable retainers 20, 22 downwardly along rods 42, 44 until they begin to press firmly on a portion of each of the user's legs.

The retainers 20, 22 may be rotated simultaneously or sequentially, depending on the ability and preference of the user. To facilitate sequential operation of each connector 20, 22, the thickness of spool 88 is slightly larger than the thickness of cross-bar 18, thereby allowing a limited range of vertical displacement of one end 60 of the cross-bar 18 relative to the other end 62 without jamming. This feature allows for asymmetric settings where, for example, one of the user's legs is more flexible than the other. Level 64 helps indicate to the user when cross-bar 18 is level or tilted in one direction or the other. When the user's legs become accustomed to the new position either after a few moments or after one or more sessions, the cross-bar 18 can be lowered further in the same manner. The cross-bar 18 serves to apply pressure to the user's legs while simultaneously supporting the user in the stretch position.

FIG. 7 illustrates the manner in which the user can enhance the benefits of the present invention by leaning backwards to stretch the lower back in addition to hip and leg muscles. Further, since the lower body of the user is stabilized between the seat and upper cross-bar 18, the user can include arm movements to facilitate stretching of the back and shoulders or can stretch one leg at a time.

FIG. 8 depicts another embodiment of the apparatus 150 using a single upright 152 on a base 154 with a cross-bar 156 held by an adjustable retainer 158 including a bearing 160 having at least one handle. The cross-bar 156 has adjustable kneepads 162, 164.

It should now be apparent to a person of ordinary skill that the present invention provides great flexibility in the type of stretches and exercises which can be performed while using the device. For example, torso stretches can be performed by lifting the arms overhead and swaying from side to side while the legs of the user are anchored in the apparatus 10. This stretch may be accomplished because the lower portion of the user's body is held during the exercise. The elongated base 12 distributes the weight of the user and provides added balance to both the device and the exerciser during use. The apparatus 10 also permits a user to stretch one leg without engaging the other. This may be of particular importance for physical therapy, for example, where a patient needs to rehabilitate one leg only. Further, the apparatus 10 permits addition of add-on features such as an overhead pulley system (not shown) to aid in torso stretching.

Further, the apparatus permits use by patients with only minimal hand strength The retainers 20, 22 containing thrust bearings 96 permit application of pressure to lower the cross-bar 18 with minimal effort. Another embodiment of the device is shown in FIG. 9 in which the apparatus 200 is shown with the device 10 clamped on a hospital bed. The device may be used for rehabilitating and stretching the legs of bedridden patients such as those who have recently undergone hip replacement surgery. In such an embodiment, the platform 24 is unnecessary, and wheels or glides may be provided to the base 12 to facilitate movement of the apparatus 200 adjacent and away from the hospital bed.

The present invention thus provides a stretching apparatus that is structurally stable and simple for the disabled and handicapped to use without assistance. The present invention additionally is effective for use by fit individuals, such as practitioners of yoga, martial arts, and dancers. The invention provides a structurally stable mechanism, yet can easily be disassembled for storage and transport.

It should be understood that preferred embodiments of an exercise and stretching apparatus have been described, and that many alterations, modifications, and changes in the invention may occur to persons of ordinary skill. For example, the adjustable retainers may be made of rachets which cooperate with grooves or holes in the upright. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be governed by the following claims, including all equivalents.