Hands free full body adjustable strap stretching device and methods of use

Abstract

An exercise stretching device includes: a proximal loop component having a strap configured to form a loop and a handle carried by the strap; a distal slotted component having a plurality of slots situated along its length, the strap being disposed in one of the plurality of slots; and a distal coupling component coupled to the strap and configured to connect the device to an external structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 147,001 entitled “HANDS FREE FULL BODY ADJUSTABLE STRAP STRETCHING DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE” filed on Dec. 27, 2022, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The importance of creating and maintaining flexibility is generally recognized in health, longevity, fitness, sports, ballet, and yoga. Stretching requires a sustained and prolonged effort in holding a particular joint in a stretched position for best results. For best user results, stretching devices should be simple to apply, comfortable, easy to adjust, safe and offer a variety of stretches throughout the body, and employ other static or dynamic point of fixation.

[0003] Prior art devices have recently been developed harnessing both shoulders to provide hands free stretching, but they fall short in giving a user the most effective stretching experience.

[0004] Current hands-free stretching devices require the user to apply and adjust multiple clips such as around the torso, around each shoulder, and at the leg. This can lead to user fatigue, confusion and less active user stretching.

[0005] Padding on hands free shoulder based stretching devices is not seen in prior art. This leads to discomfort and less active user stretching.

[0006] Adjustment in position and tension is accomplished by more than one strap clasp in prior art hands free stretching devices. This leads to complicated maneuvers for the user leading to less active user stretching.

[0007] Strap clamp adjusters appear to be the only method in adjusting stretching tension in current hands-free stretching devices. This can lead to slow and cumbersome adjustments during user stretching.

[0008] Strong and safe clamping of strap material is not recognized in prior art. This can lead to user stretching failure or user injury. Current hands-free stretching devices do not have durable fixation points to accommodate attaching to fixed or dynamic objects limiting the stretching utility of these devices.

[0009] The current invention can address these issues.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The Full Body, Hands-Free, Adjustable Strap Stretching Device has applicability in physical therapy, sports, yoga, ballet, health, and longevity. This device provides for a variety of hands-free stretching that is easy to apply, comfortable, easy to adjust, safe, powerful, and prolonged. Once the user gets into a position or pose with this current invention, he / she can relax and allow strap tension, position, static and or dynamic forces do the work of stretching throughout virtually all areas of the body.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments provided according to current invention can solve the problems of prior art devices by providing:

[0012] A hands-free stretching device with strong and safe clamping of strap mechanism.

[0013] User comfort with padding over strap in the Proximal Loop Component.

[0014] Easy to access and application of the invention on a user with a single clamp strap on the Proximal Component.

[0015] Easy to adjust fine stretch tension with a single clamp in the Proximal Loop Component.

[0016] Easy to adjust coarse levels of tension with foot placement in the Distal Slotted Component.

[0017] Fixation to stationary object with the Distal Slotted Component leveraging gravity for neck, shoulder, torso, back and lower extremity stretching.

[0018] Fixation to a weight machine or fitness machine with the Distal Grommet Component for dynamic force stretching of the neck, shoulder, torso, back and lower extremity.

[0019] Four levels of stretch tension adjustments including fine clamp adjustment, coarse foot position adjustment, static object fixation gravity adjustment, and dynamic attached machine adjustment.

[0020] Full body stretching opportunities with laying, sitting (for example, on the floor or a chair), standing, and fixation of the current invention to static or dynamic weight machine or fitness machine.

[0021] In some embodiments provided according to the invention, an exercise stretching device includes: a proximal loop component having a strap configured to form a loop and a handle carried by the strap; a distal slotted component having a plurality of slots situated along its length, the strap being disposed in one of the plurality of slots; and a distal coupling component coupled to the strap and configured to connect the device to an external structure.

[0022] In some embodiments provided according to the invention, a method of using an exercise stretching device is provided. The exercise stretching device comprising a proximal loop component having a strap configured to form a loop and a handle carried by the strap; a distal slotted component having a plurality of slots situated along its length, the strap being disposed in one of the plurality of slots; and a distal coupling component coupled to the strap and configured to connect the device to an external structure. The method includes placing a body part of a user against the handle and tensioning the distal slotted component and / or the distal coupling component.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of a proximal loop component provided according to the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of a distal slotted component provided according to the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the distal slotted component illustrated in FIG. 1B;

[0026] FIG. 1D illustrates a top view of a distal grommet component provided according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 1E illustrates a side view of the distal grommet component of FIG. 1D;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exercise stretching device provided according to the present invention in a natural state and that includes the proximal loop component of FIG. 1A, the distal slotted component of FIGS. 1B and 1C, and the distal grommet component of FIGS. 1D and 1E;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates the exercise stretching device of FIG. 2 in a straightened state;

[0030] FIG. 4A illustrates the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 being used by a user to stretch their hamstring on a floor;

[0031] FIG. 4B illustrates the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 being used by a user to stretch their quadriceps on a floor;

[0032] FIG. 4C illustrates the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 being used by a user to stretch their shoulder, lower back, and hamstring on a floor;

[0033] FIG. 4D illustrates the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 being used by a user to stretch their knee and quadricep on a floor;

[0034] FIG. 4E illustrates the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 being used by a user to stretch their hip on a floor;

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a user using the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 in various positions and poses on a floor;

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a user using the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 in various additional positions and poses on a floor;

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates a user using the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 in various positions and poses while seated in a chair; and

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates a user using the exercise stretching device of FIGS. 2-3 in various positions and poses while the exercise stretching device is coupled to a stationary object.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments provided according to the current invention are described. This current invention simplifies application to the body by basing the device 200 on a single heavy cotton strap loop and single clamp known as the Proximal Loop Component 110 (FIGS. 1A, 2). The user takes this component 110, loosens a single clamp 113, applies the device 200 over the shoulder, around the torso, or on a leg and simply tightens the loop with a pull on the strap 111 quickly engaging the clamp to proper fitment.

[0040] This current invention incorporates a padded strap 112 in the Proximal Loop Component 110 (FIGS. 1A, 2-3) for user comfort. This can be either fixed to the underlying strap 111 by sewing or left free to glide around the strap 111 for additional comfort adjustment.

[0041] The current invention embodies a single alligator spring loaded clamp 113 which is located at one end of the Proximal Loop Component 110 nearest the padding 112 (FIG. 1A). This allows the user to see and access the clamp 113 and adjust the stretching tension while the device 200 is in use on the user. This is considered the fine adjustment of this device 200. An instructor could also easily adjust the strap 111 with the clamp 113 readily visible on the device 200.

[0042] Another method of adjusting tension is by foot placement in the Distal Slotted Component 120 of this device 200 (FIGS. 1B-1C, 2). The location of the user's foot along this component 120 determines the amount of tension applied across the area of interest. It is considered a coarser adjustment allowing the user to get to the next stretch force level quickly. This is typically followed by the finer adjustment with the Proximal Loop Component clamp 113 noted above.

[0043] This invention incorporates a strong spring-loaded alligator type clamp 113 in the Proximal Loop Component (FIG. 1A) which supports hundreds of pounds of force when this part of the device 200 is manufactured with proper heavy cotton strap material.

[0044] This invention allows for multiple stretch positions and poses on the floor (FIGS. 5-6), in a chair (FIG. 7), and standing (FIG. 8).

[0045] This invention embodies the Distal Slotted Component 120 which includes a plurality of slots 121 in the form of slotted sites that can be looped, for example on a fixed bar (i.e., Pull up bar) or ceiling fixed screw islet (FIG. 8). This leverages gravity and allows for neck, shoulder, torso, back as well as lower extremity stretching.

[0046] This invention embodies the Distal Grommet Component 130 (FIGS. 1D-2) which incorporates strap grommets 132 to allow fixation with mountaineer type metal clips commonly found in gyms. This allows for attachment to weight and other fitness machines (represented by an “x” in FIG. 8) to this current invention for dynamic stretching of the neck, shoulders, torso, back, hips, and lower extremities (FIG. 8). In this respect, the Distal Grommet Component 130, which may also be referred to as a “Distal Coupling Component,” is configured to connect the Device 200 to an external structure, such as one of the aforementioned machines.

[0047] The Hands-Free Full Body Adjustable Strap Stretching Device 200 consists of three components 110, 120, 130 that are connected together.

[0048] The Proximal Loop Component 110 is a long piece of heavy cotton strap 111 with a fixed or “floating” soft pad 112, which acts as a handle. The latter encompasses the strap 111 and is either fixed to it by sewing or is mobile over it (“floats”) by, for example, sewing the pad material to itself along the edges but not into the underlying strap 111. There is a spring-loaded alligator type of clamp 113 fixed at the end of this strap 111 near the fixed soft pad 112. The other end of this component 110 has a sewn folded strap end “hard stop” to prevent the clamp 113 from completely releasing off the end of the strap 111 in the event of failure or excess forces. This section 110 is placed around the user's shoulder, chest, torso, leg, or head and is attached to the Distal Slotted Component 120 and the Distal Grommet Component 130. The pad 112 is for user comfort. The clamp 113 allows the user to fine tune the force of a stretch by tightening or loosening the strap 111 while in a stretching position, i.e., by pulling a length of the strap 111 through part of the clamp 113 to adjust a size of the formed loop.

[0049] The Distal Slotted Component 120 is made up of a long piece strap material that can be folded on itself and sewn together in sections to provide slots 121 for insertion of the foot or fixation to a stationary object. FIG. 1B shows a top view while FIG. 1C shows a side view demonstrating the slots 121 created by sewing the strap together between the slots 121. FIG. 2 demonstrates the Distal Slotted Component 120 attached by looping with the Proximal Loop Component 110 in the device's natural state. FIG. 3 demonstrates the Distal Slotted Component 120 looped to the Proximal Loop Component 110 in a stretched state. With the Proximal Loop Component 110 in place, the user is able to position a foot along the Distal Slotted Component 120 which adjusts the amount of stretching force that will be applied across the area of interest. The user can also place this component on a static structure using one of the slots such as to a pull up bar to leverage gravity in the stretching process (FIG. 8). The stretching force is adjusted by positioning and posing the users body in reference to the fixation point. More fine adjustment is obtained through the clamp 113 and strap 111 on the Proximal Loop Component110.

[0050] The Distal Grommet Component 130 is made up of a piece of strap material 131 that is a flexible material so it can be folded on itself, sewn together, and then pierced with one or more grommets 132. As shown in FIG. 2, the piece of strap material 131 surrounds a portion of the strap 111 of the Proximal Loop Component 110. FIG. 1D shows a top view with a grommet 132 at one end while FIG. 1E shows a side view demonstrating the loop available for attachment to the Proximal Loop Component 110. FIG. 2 demonstrates the Distal Grommet Component 130 attached by looping with the Proximal Loop Component 110 in the devices natural state. FIG. 3 demonstrates the Distal Grommet Component 130 looped to the Proximal Loop Component 110 in a stretched state. With the Proximal Loop Component 110 in place, the user can attach this component 130 to a weight machine or fitness machine and use the machines dynamic force to stretch an area. The stretching force is adjusted by the users positioning, the amount of force chosen on the weight or fitness machine the Distal Grommet Component 130 is attached to. More fine adjustment is obtained through the clamp 113 and strap 111 on the Proximal Loop Component 110.

[0051] Methods of Use are illustrated in FIGS. 4-8, which are simplified drawings to give clarity in the location of the invention and the human form interplay. FIGS. 4A-4E show basic poses with the device 200. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict multiple floor stretch positions and poses. FIG. 7 depicts multiple chair stretch positions and poses. FIG. 8 depicts multiple fixed- and dynamic-point stretch positions and poses. The fixation points are represented by an “x” in the drawings and could be either the Distal Slotted Component 120 fixed static attachment or the Distal Grommet Component 130 for dynamic attachment to a weight or fitness machine.

[0052] Once the user gets into a stretching pose, the invention allows for hands free, powerful, prolonged, and adjustable stretching of the body with minimal effort by the user.

Claims

1. An exercise stretching device, comprising:a proximal loop component comprising a strap configured to form a loop and a handle carried by the strap;a distal slotted component comprising a plurality of slots situated along its length, the strap being disposed in one of the plurality of slots; anda distal coupling component coupled to the strap and configured to connect the device to an external structure.

2. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the distal coupling component comprises a grommet.

3. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the distal coupling component surrounds a portion of the strap.

4. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the proximal loop component comprises a clamp configured to couple two opposite ends of the strap to form the loop.

5. The exercise stretching device of claim 4, wherein the clamp is an adjustable clamp.

6. The exercise stretching device of claim 5, wherein the clamp is a spring-loaded alligator type clamp configured to safely support forces necessary in stretching with the exercise stretching device.

7. The exercise stretching device of claim 5, wherein the clamp is configured to allow adjustment of a size of the loop when the clamp couples the two opposite ends of the strap to form the loop.

8. The exercise stretching device of claim 5, wherein the clamp is situated at one of the ends of the proximal loop component in such a way that the clamp is accessible for tension adjustment while the exercise stretching device is in use.

9. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a cotton strap material.

10. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the distal slotted component comprises a strap of material that is folded on itself and sewn together in sections to form the plurality of slots.

11. The exercise stretching device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the slots of the distal slotted component is configured to receive a human foot therein.

12. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the handle is a soft pad.

13. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the distal coupling component comprises a piece of strap material that is folded on itself and pierced with at least one integrated grommet.

14. The exercise stretching device of claim 13, wherein the piece of strap material is sewn together.

15. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the distal coupling component comprises a flexible material.

16. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the handle floats on or is fixedly attached to the strap.

17. The exercise stretching device of claim 1, wherein the distal slotted component is removable from the strap of the proximal loop component when the proximal loop component is in an unlooped state.

18. A method of using an exercise stretching device, the exercise stretching device comprising a proximal loop component comprising a strap configured to form a loop and a handle carried by the strap, a distal slotted component comprising a plurality of slots situated along its length, the strap being disposed in one of the plurality of slots, and a distal coupling component coupled to the strap and configured to connect the device to an external structure, the method comprising:placing a body part of a user against the handle; andtensioning the distal slotted component and / or the distal coupling component.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising connecting the distal coupling component to an external structure to connect the device to the external structure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the external structure is a weight machine or a fitness device.

Images