US20170239513A1

US20170239513A1 - Methods and Apparatus for Leg Stretching

Info

Publication number: US20170239513A1
Application number: US15/420,056
Authority: US
Inventors: Nathan Keith Dunford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-30
Filing date: 2017-01-30
Publication date: 2017-08-24

Abstract

A leg stretching apparatus, which may comprise a harness operable with at least a portion of a user's leg. The leg stretching apparatus may further comprise a flexible section operable to couple with the harness. Additionally, the leg stretching apparatus may comprise a joint operable to couple to a structure fixed in at least on direction. The structure may provide an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent 62/289,204, filed Jan. 30, 2016.

BACKGROUND

Stretching is essential to an individual's health and wellbeing. Stretching may assist in many aspects of an individual's exercise regimen, including warming up for an athletic event and cooling down from an athletic event. Additionally, stretching appropriately may aid individuals in physical therapy rehabilitation performed due to injuries inflicted during athletic participation, accidents, or other conditions incident to living. Stretching can be an essential aspect of one's physical conditioning regimen and/or life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the leg-stretching apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an additional exemplary embodiment of the leg-stretching apparatus;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an additional exemplary embodiment of the leg-stretching apparatus;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system for stretching a user's leg;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart depicting the method of stretching a user's leg; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the new embodiment of the invention with improvements.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context.
An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and then specific technology embodiments are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the technology more quickly but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the technology nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Rudimentary equipment exists to assist individuals in stretching their limbs. The equipment is generalized and may not be suitable to perform specific stretches on specific parts of the body. Certain areas or muscles of the body are difficult to properly, effectively, or efficiently stretch without the aid of a second person. For example, many people suffer from patellar tendonitis which, in minor cases can be treated with physical therapy, but in many cases, often requires a surgical procedure coupled with physical therapy rehabilitation post-surgery. Proper stretching and rehabilitation for the injury often involve stretching of the quadriceps muscles and the psoas muscles. It can be difficult for an individual to properly perform stretching of these muscles without the aid or assistance of another person or without placing undue stress on the patellar tendon, the very region in need of rehabilitation.
A leg stretching apparatus is disclosed. The leg stretching apparatus may comprise a harness operable with at least a portion of a user's leg. The leg stretching apparatus may further comprise a flexible section operable to couple with the harness. Additionally, the leg stretching apparatus may comprise a joint operable to couple to a structure fixed in at least on direction. The structure may provide an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction.
In one exemplary embodiment, a system for stretching an individual's leg without the aid of another person is disclosed. The system may comprise a structure fixed in at least one direction. The structure may provide an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction. The system may further comprise a harness operable with at least a portion of a user's leg. Additionally, the system may comprise a flexible section operable to couple with the harness. The system may further comprise a joint operable to couple to the structure.
Additional exemplary embodiments of the invention may include methods of a user stretching the user's own leg without the aid of other individuals. The method may comprise coupling a harness to at least a portion of a user's leg. The method may also comprise coupling a first end of a flexible section to the harness and coupling a joint to a second end of the flexible section and to a structure fixed in at least one direction. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may comprise the user applying a force against the sleeve. At least the flexible section may act to provide resistance in response to the force. The resistance may act to induce a stretch in at least one of the user's muscles.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leg stretching apparatus 10. The leg stretching apparatus 10 may comprise a harness 12. The harness 12 may be operable with at least a portion of a user's leg. The leg stretching apparatus 10 may further comprise a flexible section 20. The flexible section 20 may be operable to couple with the harness 12. The leg stretching apparatus 10 may further comprise a joint 30. The joint 30 may be operable to couple to a structure. The structure may be fixed in at least one direction, as indicated by arrow 32. The structure may provide an anchor to the leg stretching apparatus. The structure may be sufficient to support a load in at least one direction 32.
Certain exemplary embodiment of the harness 12 may comprise a sleeve operable to slide onto a user's leg. Further exemplary embodiments of the harness 12 may comprise a sheet operable to conform to the shape of a user's leg upon wrapping about a user's leg.
The harness 12 may further comprise any appropriate material, such as, for example, nylon, neoprene, polyester, or the like.
The harness 12 may further comprise a cushioned sectioned section 13. The cushioned section 13 may be coupled to the harness 12 along a lower edge 15 of the harness 12. In certain exemplary embodiments, the harness 12 and the cushioned section 13 may be integrally formed. In further exemplary embodiments, the harness 12 and the cushioned section 13 may be joined together. The harness 12 and the cushioned section 13 may be joined together using a hook and loop arrangement, snap buttons, or may be sewn together.
The harness 12 may be formed to fit over a user's leg, specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user's knee. The cushioned section 13 may be operable to be placed over or near a user's knee.
The harness 12 of the leg stretching apparatus 10 may further comprise at least one mechanism 16 to tighten the harness 12 about at least a portion of a user's leg. The at least one mechanism 16 may comprise a strap spanning the harness 12. The at least one mechanism 16 comprising a strap may use a hook and loop coupling mechanism, such as Velcro®, doubled back over itself, to tighten the harness 12, such that the harness 12 may fit a user's leg.
The flexible section 20 may further comprise a flexible webbing 22. The flexible webbing 22 may be coupled to the harness 12 at a first end 21. The flexible webbing 22 may comprise a material such as, for example nylon. The flexible webbing 22 may act to provide additional strength to the area of the harness near the first end 21, which may experience high stress levels during use.
The flexible section 20 may further comprise an elongated flexible member 24. In certain embodiments, the elongated flexible member 24 may comprise multiple elongated flexible members. The elongated flexible member 24 may be coupled to the flexible webbing 22 at a first interface 23. The elongated flexible member 24 may comprise any member operable to provide flexible resistance when placed in tension, especially members which provide increasing resistance as the tension applied to the members. Some members may provide more resistance, while others may provide less resistance. Such members may include ropes, straps, flat resistance bands, and tubular resistance bands. The elongated flexible member 24 may comprise a load-rated flexible member. In further embodiments of the leg stretching apparatus, the elongated flexible member 24 may comprise an interchangeable member, such that the elongated flexible member 24 may be removed and replaced with an additional elongated flexible member having a different load rating.
In certain exemplary embodiments, the elongated flexible member 24 may comprise multiple elongated flexible members.
The elongated flexible member may be operable to be coupled to a fixed position at a second interface 32. The joint 30 may comprise a flexible member, such that the flexible member provides flexible resistance when placed in tension. In further exemplary embodiments, the joint 30 may comprise a rigid member, providing rigid resistance when a force is applied to the joint 30.
Further exemplary embodiments are illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a leg stretching apparatus 50. The leg stretching apparatus 50 may comprise a harness 52. The harness 52 may share characteristic similar to those of harnesses previously described herein.
The harness 52 may be formed to snugly fit over a user's leg, specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user's knee, such that no tightening or special fitting is needed. In such exemplary embodiments, the harness 52 may comprise an elastic material, such as for example Spandex®.
The leg stretching apparatus 52 may further comprise a cushioned section 53 coupled to the harness 52. The cushioned section 53 may be operable to be placed over or near a user's knee.
The leg stretching apparatus 50 may further comprise a flexible section 55, comprising a flexible webbed section 54 and a flexible elongated section 56. The flexible webbed section 54 may be coupled to the harness 52 by means discussed herein and well known in the art. The flexible webbed section 54 and the flexible elongated section 56 may also be coupled together by means well known in the art. In alternative embodiments, the flexible webbed section 54 and the flexible elongated section 56 may be integrally formed. At least the flexible elongated section 56 may be operable to provide flexible and increasing resistance as increasing tension is applied to the harness 52.
The leg stretching apparatus 50 may further comprise a joint 58, operable to couple the leg stretching apparatus 50 to a fixed point. The joint 50 may be rigid or elastic and may be joined to the flexible elongated section 56 by means well known in the art.
Further embodiments of a leg stretching apparatus are illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a leg stretching apparatus 70. The leg stretching apparatus 70 may comprise a harness 72, an elongated flexible member 76 coupled to the harness 72 at a first interface 74, and a joint 78 coupled to the elongated flexible member 76 at a second interface 78.
The harness 72 may be formed to snugly fit over a user's leg, specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user's knee, such that no tightening or special fitting is needed. In such exemplary embodiments, the harness 72 may comprise an elastic material, such as for example Spandex®.
The elongated flexible member 76 may be coupled directly to the harness 72. In further exemplary embodiments, the elongated flexible member 76 may pass over or through the harness 72, such that the elongated flexible member 76 wraps around the harness 72, either over the harness 72 or within the harness 72.
The joint 78 may be operable to be coupled to a fixed point, providing resistance to any force applied to the leg stretching apparatus 70 by a user.
Further exemplary embodiments contemplated herein include a system 100. The system 100 may comprise a system for stretching a user's leg 102 without the aid of another person. The system 100 may further comprise a structure 140. The structure 140 may be fixed in at least one direction 150. The structure 140 may further provide an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction 150. The system 100 may further comprise a harness 100. The harness 110 may be operable with at least a portion of a user's leg 102. The harness may comprise at least one cushioned section 113. The system 100 may further comprise a flexible section 120. The flexible section 120 may be operable with the harness 110. The system 100 may additionally comprise a joint 125 operable to couple with the structure 140.
The structure 140 may comprise a common household structure, such as a door, a door frame, a wall, or other similar household structure. Further examples include structures that are heavy in nature and will not move in response to an applied force, such as a car or other vehicle, a tree and other similar objects.
The structure 140 may be capable of resisting movement or supporting a load in the at least one direction 150. The structure 140 may additionally be capable of resisting movement or supporting a load in more than the at least one direction 150.
The harness 110 may be operable with at least a portion of a user's leg 102. In some exemplary embodiments, the system 100 may be operable with a user's thigh and knee area, and may specifically induce a stretch to a user's quadriceps muscle upon the user moving the at least a portion of the leg 102, and thereby applying force to the harness 110 and the connected portions of the system 100 in the direction 150. In certain further exemplary embodiments, other muscles of a user's leg may be stretched, including, but not limited to a user's psoas muscle, adductor muscle, abductor muscle, IT band, and other muscles and tissue in the upper leg. Certain exemplary embodiments of the harness 110 may comprise a sleeve operable to slide onto a user's leg. Further exemplary embodiments of the harness 110 may comprise a sheet operable to conform to the shape of a user's leg upon wrapping about a user's leg.
The harness 110 may further comprise any appropriate material, such as, for example, nylon, neoprene, polyester or the like.
The harness 110 may further comprise a cushioned sectioned section 113. The cushioned section 113 may be coupled to the harness 110 along a lower edge of the harness 110. In certain exemplary embodiments, the harness 110 and the cushioned section 113 may be integrally formed. In further exemplary embodiments, the harness 110 and the cushioned section 113 may be joined together. The harness 110 and the cushioned section 113 may be joined together using a hook and loop arrangement, snap buttons, or may be sewn together.
The harness 110 may be formed to fit over a user's leg, specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user's knee. The cushioned section 113 may be operable to be placed over or near a user's knee.
The harness 110 of the system 100 may further comprise at least one mechanism 112 to tighten the harness 110 about at least a portion of a user's leg. The at least one mechanism 16 may comprise a strap spanning the harness 110. The at least one mechanism 112 comprising a strap may use a hook and loop coupling mechanism, such as Velcro®, doubled back over itself, to tighten the harness 110, such that the harness 110 may fit a user's leg.
The flexible section 20 of the system 100 may further comprise a flexible webbing section 128. The flexible webbing 128 may be coupled to the harness 110 at a first interface 121. The flexible webbing section 128 may comprise a material such as, for example nylon. The flexible webbing section 128 may act to provide additional strength to the area of the harness near the first interface 121, which may experience high stress levels during the application of force by the at least a portion of the user's leg 102.
The flexible section 120 may further comprise an elongated flexible member 122. The elongated flexible member 122 may be coupled to the flexible webbing section 128 at a second interface 123. The elongated flexible member 122 may comprise any member operable to provide flexible resistance when placed in tension, especially members which provide increasing resistance as the tension applied to the members. Some members may provide more resistance, while others may provide less resistance. Such members may include ropes, straps, flat resistance bands, and tubular resistance bands. The elongated flexible member 24 may comprise a load-rated flexible member. In further embodiments of the system 100, the elongated flexible member 122 may comprise an interchangeable member, such that the elongated flexible member 122 may be removed and replaced with an additional elongated flexible member having a different load rating.
In certain exemplary embodiments, the elongated flexible member 122 may comprise multiple elongated flexible members.
The elongated flexible member 122 may be operable to be coupled to the joint 125 at a third interface 124. The joint 125 may comprise a flexible member, such that the flexible member provides flexible resistance when placed in tension. In further exemplary embodiments, the joint 125 may comprise a rigid member, providing rigid resistance when a force is applied to the joint 125. The joint 125 may be coupled to the structure 140. The joint 125 may comprise a ring which may connect to the elongated flexible member 122 and may loop over a protruding member of the structure 140. The protruding member of the structure 140 may comprise a doorknob or other similar protrusion. In further embodiments, the joint 125 may be configured to be fixedly coupled to the structure 140 using a fastener such as a clamp, a bolt, a screw, or other similar means well known in the art.
Further embodiments contemplate a method of a user stretching the user's own leg without the aid of other individuals, as illustrated by the flow chart of FIG. 5. The method 200 may comprise a step 210 of coupling a harness to at least a portion of a user's leg. The at least a portion of the user's leg may comprise a user's thigh, extending down to a user's knee. The method may further comprise performing steps 220 and 230, in no particular order. Step 220 may comprise coupling a first end of a flexible section to the harness. Step 230 may comprise coupling a second end of the flexible section to a fixed structure.
A user may then perform step 235, comprising tightening the harness about the user's leg. This may be done using a strap system integrated with the harness.
The user may perform step 240, wherein the user applies a force to the harness. Upon applying force to the harness, the user may induce a stretch into at least one muscle of the user's leg. In certain exemplary embodiments, this may include inducing a stretch to the user's quadriceps muscle.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience.
However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW EMBODIMENT

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leg stretching apparatus 80. The leg stretching apparatus 80 may comprise a harness 84. The harness 84 may share characteristic similar to those of harnesses previously described herein.
The harness 84 may be formed to snugly fit over a user's leg, specifically over a user's quadriceps muscle of the thigh and extend past a user's knee, such that tightening or special fitting is needed by strap or belt 82 by means well known in the art.
The leg stretching apparatus 80 may further comprise a cushioned section 83 coupled to the harness 84. The cushioned section 86 may be operable to be placed over or near a user's knee.
The leg stretching apparatus 80 may further comprise a flexible section 86, comprising a flexible webbed section 85 and a flexible elongated section 87, mirrored on the opposite side of the harness. The flexible webbed section 85 may be coupled to the harness 84 by means discussed herein and well known in the art. The flexible webbed section 85 and the flexible elongated section 87 may also be coupled together by means well known in the art. In alternative embodiments, the flexible webbed section 85 and the flexible elongated section 87 may be integrally formed. At least the flexible elongated section 87 may be operable to provide flexible and increasing resistance as increasing tension is applied to the harness 84.
The leg stretching apparatus 80 may further comprise a joint 88, joining flexible elongated section 87 and its mirror to an anchor 89, operable to couple the leg stretching apparatus 80 to a fixed point. The anchor 89 may be rigid or elastic and may be joined to the flexible elongated section 87 by means well known in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A leg stretching apparatus, comprising:

a harness operable with at least a portion of a user's leg;

a flexible section operable to couple with the harness at two opposite points; and

a joint operable to couple to a structure fixed in at least on direction, providing an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction.

2. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cushioned portion coupled to the harness.

3. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 2, wherein the harness further comprises at least one mechanism operable to tighten the harness about the at least a portion of a user's leg.

4. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flexible section further comprises:

a flexible webbing coupled to the harness; and

an elongated flexible member coupled to the flexible webbing.

5. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 4, wherein the elongated flexible member comprises an interchangeable member

6. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 4, wherein the elongated flexible member comprises a load-rated flexible member.

7. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 6, wherein the joint further comprises a flexible member.

8. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 7, wherein the joint further comprises a rigid member.

9. The leg stretching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the harness and cushioned portion are operable substantially with a user's knee.

10. A system for stretching an individual's leg without the aid of another person, comprising:

a structure fixed in at least one direction, providing an anchor sufficient to support a load in the at least one direction;

a harness operable with at least a portion of a user's leg, the harness comprising at least one cushioned section;

a flexible section operable to couple with the harness; and

a joint operable to couple to the structure.

11. A method of a user stretching the user's own leg without the aid of other individuals, comprising

coupling a harness to at least a portion of a user's leg;

coupling a first end of a flexible section to the harness; and

coupling a joint to a second end of the flexible section and to a structure fixed in at least one direction;

wherein the user applies a force against the sleeve, wherein at least the flexible section provides resistance against in response to the force, inducing a stretch in at least one of the user's muscles.