This disclosure relates to athletic equipment. More specifically, this disclosure relates to stretching apparatus for stretching various parts of a user's body.
Stretching devices assist athletes and other users in stretching various parts of the user's body, including various muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the like. Many stretching devices comprise elastic straps or rubber bands that are configured to stretch during use of the stretching device. However, the elasticity of the straps can minimize the effectiveness of the stretching device by working the user's muscles (or other body parts) instead of stretching the muscles. Thus, many stretching devices do not allow for effective stretching and are better suited as workout devices. Furthermore, many stretching device have a single configuration, and are therefore limited in the types of stretches they provide to the user.
It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.
Disclosed is a stretching apparatus comprising an elongate support bar defining a bar first end and a bar second end opposite the bar first end; and a body stretching attachment coupled to the elongate support bar, the body stretching attachment comprising a primary strap, a first strap connector, and a second strap connector, wherein the primary strap comprises a flexible, inelastic material, and wherein the elongate support bar engages each of the first strap connector and second strap connector.
Also disclosed is a stretching apparatus comprising an elongate support bar defining a bar first end, a bar second end opposite the bar first end, and a bar midpoint between the bar first end and the bar second end; and a neck stretching attachment coupled to the elongate support bar, the neck stretching attachment comprising a head strap, a chin strap, and a bar attachment, wherein each of the head strap and chin strap comprises a flexible, inelastic material, and wherein the elongate support bar engages the bar attachment at the bar midpoint.
A method of stretching a user's body is also disclosed, the method comprising providing a stretching apparatus, the stretching apparatus comprising a support bar and a stretching attachment coupled to the support bar, the stretching attachment comprising a strap, the strap comprising a flexible, inelastic material; engaging the stretching attachment with a user's body; and biasing the support bar away from the user's body.
Disclosed is a stretching apparatus comprising an elongate support bar defining a bar first end and a bar second end opposite the bar first end; and a neck stretching attachment coupled to the elongate support bar, the neck stretching attachment comprising a head strap, a chin strap, and a bar attachment, wherein each of the head strap and chin strap comprises a flexible, inelastic material, and wherein the elongate support bar engages the bar attachment between the bar first end and the bar second end.
Also disclosed is a method of stretching comprising providing a stretching apparatus, the stretching apparatus comprising a support bar and a neck stretching attachment coupled to the support bar; engaging a head of a user with the neck stretching attachment; and biasing the support bar away from the user's head to stretch the a neck of the user.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
Disclosed is a stretching apparatus and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of the stretching apparatus can comprise a support bar and a stretching attachment coupled to the support bar. In example aspects, the stretching attachment can comprise a flexible, inelastic strap. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the stretching apparatus is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
Example aspects of the stretching attachment 130 can comprise one or more straps 135 comprising a flexible, but inelastic material, such as, for example, nylon. In the present aspect, the strap(s) 135 can comprise a nylon webbing. The flexibility of the straps 135 can allow the straps 135 to bend and fold as needed, and the inelasticity of the straps 135 can prohibit or limit the straps 135 from stretching under force (e.g., during use of the stretching apparatus 100). Limiting the elasticity of the straps 135 can allow for more effective stretching of the user's body when using the stretching apparatus 100. According to example aspects, the material of the straps 135, such as the nylon webbing, can also define a suitable strength allowing the straps 135 to withstand large forces without tearing or breaking during use of the stretching apparatus 100. In other aspects, the straps 135 can comprise any other suitable material known in the art, such as, for example, polypropylene webbing or another material. Furthermore, in still other aspects, the material of the straps 135 may define minimal or moderate elasticity to permit a limited about of stretching of the straps 135.
In the present aspect, the stretching attachment 130 can be a first stretching attachment 130a, which can be interchangeable with, or used in tandem with, additional stretching attachments 130, as described in further detail below. For example, in the present aspect, the first stretching attachment 130a can be a body stretching harness 140, which can be selectively detachable from the support bar 110. In other aspects, the stretching apparatus 100 may comprise a single one of the stretching attachments 130 and/or one or more of the stretching attachments 130 may be permanently coupled to the support bar 110. The body stretching harness 140 can comprise a single one of the straps 135 in some aspects, and can comprise a plurality of the straps 135 connected together in other aspects, as shown. For example, the body stretching harness 140 of the preset aspect can comprise a primary strap, such as a middle strap 146, and at least one secondary strap, such as a first end strap 142 and a second end strap 144. The middle strap 146 can generally extend between the first and second end straps 142,144. The middle strap 146 can be connected to each of the first end strap 142 and a second end strap 144 by a strap connector 150, and in some aspects, a length of the body stretching harness 140 can be adjustable at the strap connectors 150, as described in further detail below. Example aspects of the strap connectors 150 are described in further detail below with respect to
As shown, each of the first end strap 142 and second end strap 144 can be connected to the support bar 110 by a bar connector 170. In the present aspect, the first end strap 142 can define a first one of the bar connectors 170a, which can be coupled to the support bar 110 between the bar first end 112 and the bar midpoint 118 thereof, and the second end strap 144 can define a second one of the bar connectors 170b, which can be coupled to the support bar 110 between the bar second end 114 and the bar midpoint 118 thereof. In some aspects, the orientation of the bar connectors 170 can be adjustable along a length of the support bar 110, as described in further detail below with respect to
The body stretching harness 140 can used in a variety of ways for stretching various parts of a user's body. According to a particular example aspect, the body stretching harness 140 can be configured to wrap around a user's back and under the user's arms. The support bar 110 can be oriented in front of the user, and the user can bias the support bar 110 away from their body. For example, the user can grip and push the support bar 110 generally forward and/or generally upward with their hands. This stretch can be configured to stretch various back, shoulder, and arm muscles. In other aspects, the body stretching harness 140 can be used in any other suitable fashion for stretching various parts of the user's body.
According to example aspects, a first extension portion 212 of the first strap section 210 of the middle strap 146 can be threaded through the corresponding first double D-ring connector 250a and can define a first free end 214 distal to the first double D-ring connector 250a. Similarly, a second extension portion 222 of the second strap section 220 can be threaded through the corresponding second double D-ring connector 250b and can define a second free end 224 distal to the second double D-ring connector 250b. An intermediate portion 230 of the middle strap 146 can be defined between the first and second extension portions 212,222 (e.g., between the first and second double D-ring connectors 250a,b). In example aspects, a position of each of the first and second double D-ring connectors 250a,b along the middle strap 146 can be adjusted by threading each of the first and second extension portions 212,222 further into or out of the corresponding first and second double D-ring connectors 250a,b. Adjusting the position of the first and/or second double D-ring connectors 250a,b can adjust a length of each of the first and second extension portions 212,222, respectively, and can thus adjust a length of the intermediate portion 230 extending between the first and second extension portions 212,222. As such, an overall length L of the body stretching harness 140 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the first and/or second double D-ring connectors 250a,b along the middle strap 146. Adjusting the overall length L of the body stretching harness 140 can allow the body stretching harness 140 to accommodate users of varying body dimensions, such as varying height or arm length, and/or can accommodate for various different types of stretches for which the stretching apparatus 100 can be used. In some example aspects, at least a portion of one or both of the first and second extension portions 212,222 can be folded over and releaseably secured to the intermediate portion 230 of middle strap 146, as described in further detail below.
Referring to
In example aspects, each of the first and second end straps 142,144 can be substantially the same. Referring to the first end strap 142, which can also be representative of the second end strap 144, the first end strap 142 can define a proximal end 350 and an opposing distal end 352. The first strap connector 150a (e.g., the first double D-ring connector 250a) can be coupled to the first end strap 142 at the proximal end 350 thereof. In the present aspect, the first strap connector 150a can be secured to the first end strap 142 by looping the corresponding proximal end 350 of the first end strap 142 through the first strap connector 150a and securing the proximal end 350 to the first end strap 142 at a first inward location 354 along a length of the first end strap 142. This can define a strap loops 560 (shown in
According to example aspects, the first bar connector 170a can be defined at the distal end 352 of the first end strap 142, and the second bar connector 170b can be defined at the distal end 352 of the second end strap 144. As such, each of the first and second bar connectors 170a,b can be disposed substantially opposite the corresponding first and second strap connectors 150a,b, respectively. In the present aspect, the first and second bar connectors 170a,b can be first and second looped connectors 370a,b; however, in other aspects, first and second bar connectors 170a,b can be any other suitable connection mechanism known in the art that can couple the body stretching harness 140 to the support bar 110 (shown in
According to example aspects, the first looped connector 370a can be formed by folding the distal end 352 of the first end strap 142 over the first end strap 142 to form a loop 472 defining the loop opening 474, as shown. The distal end 352 can then be secured to the first end strap 142 at the second inward location 356 along the length of the first end strap 142. In the present aspect, a seam 476 can be provided by sewing to secure the distal end 352 to the first end strap 142 at the second inward location 356. In other aspects, the distal end 352 can be secured to the first end strap 142 by any other suitable fastener known in the art, including, but not limited to, adhesives, such as glue, mechanical fasteners, such as staples, or any other suitable type of fastener known in the art. According to example aspects, the loop opening 474 of the first looped connector 370a can be sized such that a friction fit can be defined between the first looped connector 370a and the support bar 110 when the support bar 110 extends through the loop opening 474. As such, the first looped connector 370a will remain in position along the support bar 110 during normal use, but can be slid along the support bar 110 upon application of a suitable force. The second looped connector 370b can be substantially similar to the first looped connector 370a.
According to example aspects, a position of the first double D-ring connector 250a can be adjust along a length of the middle strap 146 to adjust the overall length L (shown in
According to example aspects, the cushioning insert 720 can further define a hollow core 722, within which the reinforcement insert 730 can be received. Example aspects of the reinforcement insert 730 can be substantially rigid and can be configured to improve the strength of the support bar 110, which can be beneficial when forces are applied thereto during use of the stretching apparatus 100 (shown in
In the present aspect, the visual indicators 820 can comprise bands 822 wrapped around the outer surface 814. For example, in some aspects, each of the center indicator 824 and the intermediate indicators 826 can comprise a single one of the bands 822, while each of the outer indicators 830 can comprise a pair of the bands 822a,b. The bands 822 can be coupled to themselves or to the outer surface 814 to retain the bands 822 on the support bar 110. For example, the bands 822 may be coupled to themselves or the outer surface 814 by an adhesive, such as glue or tape, a mechanical fastener, or any other suitable fastener known in the art. In other aspects, the visual indicators 820 can comprise tape, stickers, or can be dyed, printed, or painted onto the outer surface 814 of the support bar 110, or can comprise any other suitable indicator or can be formed by any other suitable method known in the art. Moreover, in the present aspect, the visual indicators 820 can comprise varying colors indicative of the varying purposes of the visual indicators 820. In other aspects, the visual indicators 820 may comprise varying shapes or sizes, varying graphics or words shown thereon, or any other suitable variations to indicate the purpose of the visual indicators 820. In still other aspects, all of the visual indicators 820 may be substantially uniform in appearance.
A plurality of the visual indicators 820 are provided in the present aspect. The visual indicators 820 can include, for example and without limitation, a center indicator 824, a pair of intermediate indicators 826, and a pair of outer indicators 830. Other aspects can comprise more or fewer of the visual indicators 820, which may indicate the same or varying purposes. The center indicator 824 can indicate the midpoint 118 of the support bar 110. In various stretches, it may be desired for a user to engage the midpoint 118 of the support bar 110 or for one of the stretching attachments 130 to be coupled to the support bar 110 at the midpoint 118. As such, in some aspects, the purpose of the center indicator 824 can be to indicate a preferred engagement point for the user or a preferred attachment point for a one (or multiple) of the stretching attachments 130 (shown in
In the present aspect, the pair of intermediate indicators 826 can serve as a pair of foot indicators 828. The foot indicators 828 can be oriented on either side of and equally spaced from the center indicator 824. In various stretches, it may be desired to engage the support bar 110 with the user's feet 1120 (shown in
The pair of outer indicators 830 can be hand indicators 832 in the present aspect. The hand indicators 832 can be oriented on either side of and equally spaced from the foot indicators, distal from the center indicator 824, as shown. In various stretches, it may be desired to grip the support bar 110 with the user's hands 1110 (shown in
As shown, in the present aspect, the neck stretching harness 940 can generally define a first lateral end 942 and a second lateral end 944 distal to the first lateral end 942, relative to the orientation shown in
The head strap 950 of the neck stretching harness 940 can be coupled to the chin strap 960, and can be selectively repositionable generally along a length of the chin strap 960 in some aspects. Example aspects of the head strap 950 can define a first head strap end 952 and a second head strap end 954 distal to the first head strap end 952, and each of the first and second head strap ends 952,954 can be connected to corresponding first and second sides 974,976 of the chin strap 960, respectively, as shown. In the present aspect, a head strap loop 956 can be formed at each of the first and second head strap ends 952,954, and the chin strap 960 can be configured to extend through each of the head strap loops 956. In some aspects, the chin strap 960 can slide within the head strap loops 956 to adjust the position of the head strap 950 relative to the chin strap 960. The head strap loops 956 can also be formed similarly to bar connectors 170 of the body stretching harness 140. For example, each of the first and second head strap ends 952,954 can be configured to fold over the head strap 950 and can be secured thereto, such as by sewing, to define the corresponding head strap loops 956. In other aspects, the head strap loops 956 may not be adjustable along the length of the chin strap 960. Furthermore, in other aspects, the head strap 950 may not define the head strap loops 956 and can be secured to the chin strap 960 by any other suitable fastening mechanism(s) known in the art. According to example aspects, the head strap 950 can be configured to wrap behind and cradle a lower back portion of the user's head.
Furthermore, example aspects of the second center strap end 1144 can define a hand grip portion 1150 at the second center strap end 1144, which can be gripped by one or both of the user's hands 1110. In a particular aspect, to use the center stretching strap 1140, the support bar 110 can be placed on a ground surface and the user can place their feet 1120 on the support bar 110 on either side of the center stretching strap 1140, as shown. In some aspects, the foot indicators 828 (shown in
As such, according to example aspects, a method for using the stretching apparatus 100 to stretch a user's body can comprise providing the stretching apparatus 100, the stretching apparatus 100 comprising the support bar 110 and at least one of the stretching attachments 130 coupled to the support bar 110, the stretching attachment 130 comprising at least one of the straps 135, the strap 135 comprising a flexible, inelastic material, engaging the stretching attachment 130 with the user's body, and biasing the support bar 110 away from the user's body. In some aspects, the stretching attachment 130 can be the body stretching harness 140, which can comprise the first strap connector 150a and the second strap connector 150b, wherein the support bar 110 can engage each of the first strap connector 150a and second strap connector 150b. In such an aspects, engaging the stretching attachment 130 with the user body comprises wrapping the body stretching harness 140 around the user's back and under the user's arms, and biasing the support bar 110 away from the user's body comprises gripping the support bar 110 with the user's hands 1110 and pushing the support bar 110 in a generally upward direction away from the user's body. In other aspects, the strap 135 can be the chin strap 960, and the stretching attachment 130 can be the neck stretching harness 940, which can further comprise the head strap 950 and the bar attachment 930, wherein the support bar 110 can engage the bar attachment 930 at the bar midpoint 118 of the support bar 110. In such an aspect, engaging the stretching attachment 130 with the user body can comprise cradling the user's chin with the chin strap 960 and cradling a lower back portion of the user's head with the head strap 950, and biasing the support bar 110 away from the user's body can comprise gripping the support bar 110 with the user's hands 1110 and pushing the support bar 110 in a generally upward direction away from the user's body. Furthermore, in some aspects, the stretching attachment 130 can be a first stretching attachment (e.g., one of the neck stretching harness 940, body stretching harness 140, and center stretching strap 1140), the stretching apparatus 100 further comprising a second stretching attachment (e.g., another one of the neck stretching harness 940, body stretching harness 140, and center stretching strap 1140), and the method further comprises interchanging the first stretching attachment with the second stretching attachment.
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/082,241, filed Oct. 28, 2020, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17082241 | Oct 2020 | US |
Child | 17197718 | US |