BE1029268A1 - Device and method of stretching - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention falls within the field of fitness or stretching devices intended to facilitate the stretching of human muscles. More particularly, the stretching device comprises a central structure comprising at least one main working axis arranged to form an angle α with the horizontal of the ground in operational mode, and a handle extending on either side of the central structure, arranged so as to be movable along the main axis of the central structure and comprising means for locking the handle on the structure.

Description

Stretching device and method Field of the invention The invention falls within the field of fitness or stretching devices intended to facilitate the stretching of human muscles. More particularly, the invention relates to a versatile device allowing a user to stretch different muscles of his body according to a variable amplitude defined by said user.

Context In recent years, physical activities such as the Pilates methods or yoga have experienced real success. They include in particular body stretching activities, in particular targeted on particular muscles or muscle chains (e.g. anterior, posterior, etc.). Most of the time, these exercises are performed without props. Similar stretching exercises are also done by non-athletic people, just to keep in shape. Such exercises are in particular increasingly recommended by health professionals to people who work all day seated in order to prevent back problems, for example. These positions are quite difficult to maintain without outside help if you want to maintain them correctly, i.e. without relaxing while maintaining the position. In addition, using the human body alone, it is difficult or even impossible to gradually increase the amplitude of stretching with a view to continuous improvement.

The applicant considered it useful to develop a simple and easily transportable device which makes it possible to maintain the human body in optimal stretching positions for different muscles or muscle chains.

Solution of the invention To this end, the invention relates to a stretching device comprising: - a central structure comprising at least one main working axis arranged to form an angle with the horizontal in operational mode, and - a handle s extending on either side of the central structure, arranged to be movable along the main axis of the central structure and comprising means for locking the handle on the structure.

Above all, the device allows the user to block their position in relation to the device in order to gradually vary the amplitude of the stretching thanks to the handle, the position of which can change during the stretching. Once the handle has reached a desired position, it is possible for the user to maintain himself in the corresponding position without effort.

To facilitate maintaining the position of the user relative to the device, abutment means can be arranged on either side of the central structure, on which the user comes to put his feet.

The device is easily transportable. A central structure here designates the main rigid element on which the other mechanical elements will be fixed (handle, stops, etc.) intended to make the device operational. The central structure can be of various shapes. The structure has an overall "beam" appearance along the main axis, i.e. the characteristic length of the section of the beam is much lower than its characteristic length.

Preferably, the central structure also comprises, at least at each end of the main axis, returns of different heights, making it possible to position the main axis above ground level, at an angle.

These returns can be connected by another beam, the central structure then being a continuous and hollow structure forming a sort of frame.

The central structure can then be described as the sweeping of a defined section (e.g. rectangular or circular) along a closed path (e.g. a rectangle, a trapezoid, an ellipse, a triangle etc.) to form a frame.

The central structure is characterized by at least one main axis of work. This axis is arranged so as to form an angle with the horizontal of the ground in operational mode.

It is called the working axis because it is the axis that will allow the movement of the handle causing the stretching of the user's muscles.

There are different operational modes of the device. A characteristic common to the first two modes of use is that the stretching device is in operational mode when the central structure of the latter rests on a flat surface, a ground, so that the main axis is raised by relative to the ground and forms a non-zero angle relative to the horizontal.

The angle formed by the main axis and the plane of the ground is an acute angle. Preferably, this angle is between 0 and 60 degrees, preferably between 1 and 50°, more preferably between 5 and 40°. A non-zero angle optimizes the stretching position by best matching the shape of the human body. The inventive heart of the present invention is that the device comprises a handle extending on either side of the central structure, arranged to be movable along the main axis of the central structure and comprising means for blocking the handle on the structure.

Although integral with the central structure, the handle is therefore movable along the main axis of said structure. The main axis can then support or be confused with a slide or rack system or any other mechanical means known to those skilled in the art allowing translational movements.

The handle is secured to the central structure by an assembly part. In this case, it is this assembly part that will be responsible for guiding the movement of the handle along the main axis of the structure.

In the case of a central structure in the form of a frame, the handle can be arranged towards the inside of the frame or towards the outside.

The handle includes means for blocking it on the central structure. In other words, the handle is movable along the main axis but its movement can be stopped and its position locked. The location of the blocking or immobilization of the handle is chosen by the user.

To this end, the assembly part of the handle connecting it to the structure may include a ratchet mechanism.

Indeed, this makes it possible to constrain the movement in translation of the assembly part to an incremental and one-way movement.

This one-way direction corresponds to the movement of the handle which causes the extension of the muscle or the muscle chain.

To activate this ratchet mechanism, the handle may for example include a degree of freedom in rotation around itself.

The translational movement along the main axis of the handle then being associated with the rotation of said handle.

In other words, one increment in handle rotation corresponds to one increment of longitudinal movement along the main axis.

This is made possible by a rack housed in the central structure, for example.

Each increment of rotation in the handle therefore corresponds to a “one-way” advancement of the latter along the axis of the central structure.

This has the effect that it is easy for the user to increase the amplitude of their stretch little by little and then maintain their position.

Increasing the amplitude of stretching through a rotation of the handles makes it possible to constantly maintain tension in the muscle or muscle chains being stretched.

A ratchet mechanism is presented here but the means for locking the handle on the structure could be quite different.

For example, a button that toggles sufficient frictional force on and off to blog the handle to the structure.

The handle of the invention can have various shapes, it is preferably ergonomic and intended to allow easy gripping by the user.

Preferably, the handle is a set of two short cylinders or sleeves arranged on either side of the central structure, like a bicycle handlebar.

In order to reinitialize the movement or simply when the user decides to reverse a few increments, the assembly part can incorporate means for unlocking the handle such as for example a trigger provided for this purpose, i.e. a trigger which Temporarily releases the handle from the retaining mechanism.

Stop means are arranged on either side of the central structure. These abutment means serve in particular to hold the device in place with the help of the feet. For operational modes for which the user's feet are not used, the abutment means increase the stability of the central structure. These abutment means are fixed with respect to the central structure during the stretching. However, these abutment means can be moved to different positions on the central structure.

The abutment means are understood here as all rigid elements fixed to the central structure capable of withstanding a certain mechanical stress without deforming or breaking.

In one embodiment of the invention, these abutment means correspond to an assembly of two pallets on either side of the central structure. The pallets are attached to each other using a rigid mechanical part, for example a rod or a hollow cylinder.

The paddles-rod assembly can also have a degree of freedom in rotation "on itself", this makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the paddles relative to the central structure before an exercise, to vary the stretch at the level of the legs, especially around the calf.

The vane-rod assembly is secured to the main structure using an assembly part.

This assembly part can also contain a ratchet locking mechanism constraining the rotation of the pallets in one direction, in the same idea as the handle presented above.

The rotation of the pallets can be coupled or uncoupled.

A dissociated rotation allows you to stretch the calves in a different way, which can be interesting in case of leg weakness or in a rehabilitation context that does not necessarily involve symmetrical stretching.

The invention also relates to three methods of using the device described above.

For the first two methods, the device is in operational mode, i.e. its central structure rests on a flat surface (a floor for example). For the third method, the device is used for stabilization purposes and is not considered to be in operational mode.

The first method is a method of using the device according to the invention to stretch the posterior muscle chain according to which: - a user sits with the device between his legs, the highest part of the device towards him, - he grasps the handle using his hands, - he moves the handle along the main axis of work until he puts tension on his posterior muscular chain.

When the device used includes abutment means, before grasping the handle, the user places his feet on the abutment means.

A second method of use for stretching the anterior muscle chain includes the steps of: - a user lies down on his back with the device in line with his head, the upper part of the device towards him; — the user grasps the handle and moves it along the main axis of work to tension his anterior muscle chain.

Regardless of the method used, the user can move the handle at regular intervals a little further along the main axis of work to increase the stretch.

The third method consists in using the device according to the invention as a means of stabilizing the body of the user when the latter stretches certain muscles of the leg, particularly the psoas muscles.

The method then comprises the steps of: - a user settles down on the ground with one leg bent forwards and resting on the foot and the other leg backwards resting on the foot or the knee, so as to stretch his psoas muscles, and — the user places the device in front of him and leans on it to stabilize himself.

The invention will be better understood using the following description with reference to the drawing in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention. - Figure 2 illustrates a mode of use of the device according to the invention, and - Figure 3 illustrates another mode of use of the device according to the invention. - Figure 4 illustrates another mode of use of the device according to the invention.

Unless otherwise stated, the "forward" direction is defined as the direction in which the handle produces a stretch in the user's muscle or muscle chains.

A stretch corresponds to a tensioning of a muscle or a muscle chain, its elongation.

Referring to Figure 1, a stretching device 1 according to the invention comprises a central structure 10, stop means 11 and a handle 12.

The central structure 10 comprises three edges 101, 102, 103 and three corner junction elements 104. These edges and junction elements are of rectangular section. These are assembled together to form a generally triangular shaped frame. The junction elements are rounded for aesthetic reasons. The edges and/or the corner junction elements can also be covered with a non-slip coating in order to facilitate the adherence of the device to the ground during its use.

The upper edge 102 of the central structure 10 is arranged along a main working axis 106 arranged so as to form an angle a with the edge 101 arranged along an axis 105, parallel to the ground in operational mode. . Preferably,

the angle a is between 0 and 60 degrees, preferably between and 30 degrees. The edges 101 and 102 are here grooved all along on their 5 internal and lateral faces. These grooves have a guidance role but may also include a slide or rack mechanism which is partly responsible for the movement of the handle 12.

In operational mode, the axis 105 (de facto the edge 101) is parallel to the flat surface on which the device is installed while the axis 106 (de facto the edge 102) is inclined with respect to the horizontal from an angle a. Such an arrangement allows the device to follow the natural shape of the body in operational mode, i.e. during stretching.

The various parts of the central structure can be made of aluminum, PVC or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the art. The structure can be made in one piece or by assembling several pieces.

The stop means 11 are installed on the edge 101 by means of an assembly part 110. The stop means 11 comprise two pallets 111 fixed on either side of the structure 10 by means of a rod rigid 112, itself secured to the assembly part 110. The two pallets 111 are intended to receive the feet of a user, if necessary. The vanes here are plates of rectangular and identical shape but these vanes can have any other suitable shape such as the shape of a human foot or a shoe, or even be absent, the rod 112 then serving as a stop means.

The vanes 111 can be rotatable around the axis 113, the longitudinal axis of the rod 112. In other words, it is possible for the rod-vane assembly to rotate around the axis 113, the assembly part 110 then acting as a rolling bearing. Alternatively, each pallet 111 can have a degree of freedom in rotation independent of the other in order to allow specific adjustments to each foot. The assembly part 110 can also be provided with a “ratchet” type mechanism in order to constrain the rotation of the pallets in a single direction (watchmaker or anti-watchmaker). Indeed, it may be desirable for the user's feet to be kept bent during the exercise. In this case, the assembly part 110 may also include a trigger 114 allowing the rotational movement of said mechanism to be released. In addition, the support element 110 can be moved along the edge 101 in order to offer different settings and to adapt to the user. In this case, the groove of the edge 101 can be provided with several notches (here not shown) corresponding to presets. For example, four notches can correspond to user sizes S, M, L and XL. Still referring to FIG. 1, the handle 12 comprises an assembly part 120 on which are arranged two handles

121. Assembly part 120 may be similar to part

110. These two sleeves 121 form a handlebar-shaped handle that the user can, in operational mode, grasp with his hands. The handle 12 is movable along the axis 106, for example using a slide or rack system, to move linearly along the edge 102. Moving this handle forward allows the user to stretch their muscle chains, which is the main purpose of the present invention. For the following, unless otherwise stated, the "forward" direction is defined as the direction in which the handle produces a stretch in the user's muscle or muscle chains. Conversely, when the user does not use the device or when it is not used with a sufficiently large stretching amplitude, the body is in a state of rest. More particularly, this movement is only made possible in a single direction (the direction of stretching) using, for example, a ratchet mechanism located in the assembly element 120. The constraint towards the before this movement is a key element of the present invention because it makes it possible to remain in positions conducive to stretching with less effort than during a similar exercise without the device. Without this mechanical aid, the body tends to return to its resting position. The quality of stretching is therefore directly impacted.

Nevertheless, it is provided that the stress of the mechanism can be released using an ad-hoc trigger 122. This allows for example a smooth return to the resting state of the body.

The handles 121 here have a degree of freedom in rotation on themselves. More particularly, the linear displacement of the handle 12 along the edge 102 is linked to the rotation of the handles 121. The assembly part 120 then acts as a rolling bearing. With reference to the shot in FIG. 1, clockwise actuation of the handles 121 causes them to move forwards, i.e. towards the stop means 11, and vice versa. However, as mentioned earlier, the reverse movement is only made possible by releasing the handle from the retaining mechanism.

In order to be able to follow the progress of the user, a visual marker can be present on the edge 102. This can then be a colored tab advancing with the handle 12 but remaining in place when said handle is moved back until to its initial position.

For large stretching amplitudes, provision is made for the handle 12 to be able to move forwards and pass the stop means 11, if the latter are installed far enough to the rear, which is made possible by the shape triangular shape of the central structure 10 and the mobility of the abutment means on the axis 105. The device can be used by a user in order to stretch different muscles or muscle chains, for example the posterior or anterior muscle chain.

Referring to Figure 2, when a person wants to stretch his posterior muscle chain, it sits on a flat surface 23 with the device 2 (represented here schematically by a trapezoidal frame) between his legs.

The device of the invention is therefore also placed flat on the ground, resting on the edge 20 placed in the crotch of the user.

In addition, he places his feet on the abutment means, more particularly on the pallets 21. At the start of the exercise, the handle is close to the body, on the higher part of the working axis 24. stretching, the user grips the handle 22 with his hands and pivots it on itself to drive the mechanism allowing the handle to move forwards (towards his feet in the case of a user who lacks flexibility) and put tension on the posterior muscle chain.

He can then turn the handles until he finds the desired stretch amplitude and maintains his position.

To maintain their position, the user must simply stop rotating the handle, an anti-reverse mechanism ensures that the handle will not go back.

To complete the exercise, the user just needs to release the anti-reverse mechanism using, for example, an ad-hoc trigger.

It is then possible to move the handle back to its initial position.

Alternatively, with reference to Figure 3, when a person wishes to stretch his anterior muscle chain, the latter settles down lying on a flat surface 23 on his back with the device 2 also placed on the ground and in the extension of his head.

The edge 20 is close or squarely against the top of the user's skull and the abutment means 21 being at the end of his head.

The edge 20 may also include a pad to dampen or soften the contact between the user's head and the device.

To begin stretching, the user grips the handle 22 with his hands and rotates it on itself to drive the mechanism allowing the handle to move away from his head, thus putting the anterior muscle chain in tension.

In a similar way to the method explained above, he can then turn the handle 22 until he finds the desired stretching amplitude and maintains his position.

To complete the exercise, the user just needs to release the anti-reverse mechanism using the ad-hoc trigger.

It is then possible to move the handle 22 back to its initial position.

Referring to Figure 4, the device of the invention can also be used as an element for stabilizing a user when the latter stretches the legs, in particular the psoas muscles.

In this case, the device can be used vertically or horizontally depending on the height of the user, with the narrower end 40 against the ground.

Using an external support element in this type of exercise allows the user to focus the exercise on stretching the affected muscle without wasting energy and also having to maintain balance.

Thus, with a simple device, several stretching exercises are possible.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many technical variants are possible to obtain the desired effect.

Claims (15)

Claims 1. A stretching device (1) comprising: - a central structure (10) comprising at least one main working axis (106) arranged to form an angle (oo) with the horizontal of the ground in operational mode, and - a handle (12) extending on either side of the central structure (10), arranged so as to be movable along the main axis (106) of the central structure and comprising means for locking the handle (12) on the structure. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a degree of freedom in rotation on itself, this being associated with the longitudinal displacement of the handle (12) along the main axis (106). 3. A device according to claims 1 to 2, in which the means for locking the handle on the structure comprise a clduet mechanism. 4. A device according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the angle (a) is preferably between 0 and 60°. 5. A device according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising abutment means (11) arranged on either side of the central structure (10). 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the abutment means (11) comprise two pallets (111). 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the pallets are adjustable in rotation about an axis connecting them. 8. A device according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the abutment means (11) are movable on the central structure (10). 9. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central structure is a frame of rectangular section. 10. A device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is movable along the main axis by means of a rack. 11. A method of using the device according to one of claims 1 to 10 to stretch at least one muscle of the posterior muscle chain according to which: - a user sits down with the device (2) between his legs, the part the highest point of the device towards him, — he grasps the handle (22) using his hands, - he moves the handle along the main axis of work (24) until his muscular chain is tensed posterior. 12. Method according to claim 11, in which, before grasping the handle, the user places his feet on abutment means (21). 13. A method of use for stretching at least one muscle of the anterior muscle chain for which: - a user installs himself lying on his back with the device (2) in the extension of his head, the upper part of the device towards him ; Jthe user grasps the handle (22) and moves it along the main axis of work (24) to tension his anterior muscle chain. 14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, according to which the user moves the handle at regular intervals a little further on the main axis of work to increase the stretch. 15. A method of using the device according to one of claims 1 to 10 to stretch the muscles of the leg according to which: -- a user settles down on the ground with one leg bent forward and resting on the foot and the other leg backwards resting on the knee or on the foot, so as to stretch his psoas muscles, and - the user places the device in front of him and leans on it to stabilize himself.