WO2020074948A1

WO2020074948A1 - Electronic stretching equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2020074948A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/057963
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gonçalo SERRA GAGEIRO; Eduardo António VIEIRA FERREIRA
Original assignee: Serra Gageiro Goncalo
Priority date: 2018-10-10
Filing date: 2018-10-15
Publication date: 2020-04-16

Abstract

The present application relates to an electronic exercise equipment to stretch multiple muscle groups of the body. The stretching equipment described herein can be used manually by the user itself, or electronically controlled by the user, or an outside person, since it comprises a remote controller. This dual feature is of extreme relevance if the user lacks the mobility necessary to successfully accomplish the exercise, due to injuries, pain, physical impairment, or if the user has any other difficulty operating the equipment.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"ELECTRONIC STRETCHING EQUIPMENT"

Technical field

The present application relates to an electronic exercise equipment to stretch multiple muscle groups of the body.

Background art

The equipment that already exist, are made up to stretch the muscles of the body, but most of them only stretch a single part of the body, upper body or lower body.

To perform certain tasks on a daily basis, even if they are not a sport, a certain level of mobility is required. This mobility is associated with the flexibility levels and the elongation capacity of the muscle complexes of individuals. Given that a large proportion of jobs require people to remain seated to perform their duties in the workplace, it is natural to see an increasing shortening of certain muscles, such as the posterior thigh muscles or muscles that contribute to the stability of the shoulder girdle and whose shortening may lead to a greater anteriorisation of the shoulders, which in turn may give rise to different postures to compensate for these "imbalances" that impose themselves over time. In this way, it is necessary to incorporate in training programs a component of development of the flexibility and the capacity of stretching that promotes that the individuals can maintain or improve their mobility in the day to day.

In relation to the forms of stretching, there are static stretches, which may have intervals or not before the increase of intensity, and within these static stretches there is the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) method in its two aspects, contraction agonist-relaxation and contraction agonist-relaxation-contraction antagonist, aims to achieve a new joint amplitude through specific physiological mechanisms, the inverse myotatic reflex and the reciprocal innervation, respectively. In addition to static methods, there are also dynamic, passive, or active methods. Comparing the static and dynamic stretches, we found that the former result in increased joint amplitude, resulting in no changes in tendon stiffness, but in a decrease in muscle-tendon stiffness, whereas for the dynamic ones, a less pronounced form than for static ones, there were also increases in joint amplitude, decrease in tendon stiffness and maintenance of muscle-tendon stiffness. Regarding the dynamics of the loading of the elongation, it should be pointed out that higher intensities will cause an acute increase of joint amplitude and greater tolerance to passive resistance, while longer duration of elongation will lead to a decrease in resistance to elongation. In terms of the effects of stretching, we can divide into acute and chronic effects. In the acute effects of static stretching we can frame the relaxation of viscoelastic stress, that is, the decrease of the passive tension offered by the muscle in a position of stretching over time, whereas in the chronic effects we can address issues such as structural adaptations in the length of the muscles fascicles and the angle of penalization, although these adaptations are quite heterogeneous, with gains in joint amplitude and passive tolerance to stretching (Freitas, 2010) .

Regarding the placement in the training session, dynamic stretches are exercises that will make sense in a warm-up, in order to promote tissue temperature increase, agonist strength increase, increased neuromuscular spindle sensitivity (implying the myotatic reflex) and increased viscoelastic competence. When relating the training of stretches with strength training, they should appear in a static way. However, when performing static stretching before a strength training session, the result will be a decrease in performance, unless these are of short duration and low intensity (Freitas, 2010) . In a more detailed way, the static stretches provoke a decrease of the maximum strength and power independently of the level of flexibility of the subjects, mainly because of structural changes in the passive stiffness of the tissue and neural in the level of the reduction of the myotatic reflex, being also a decrease of the muscle activity measured by electromyography. This negative effect is however temporary and after 20 minutes disappears, and the increase in strength in extreme amplitudes increases with this type of practice. Also in the race economy there were differences, namely improvements associated to the decrease in viscoelasticity (Shrier, 2004) . The static stretching training promotes increases in strength and power, possibly due to the greater efficiency in the production and transmission of forces by the muscle- tendinous complexes, being associated changes in the tendon, greater number of sarcomeres in series and consequent increase of the fascicles, lower pen angle and general decrease of passive stiffness. Thus, since dynamic stretches do not have this kind of long-term benefits, they must be introduced in the session as heating, for example, static stretches should be included in the planning (Freitas, 2010) .

The practice of stretching is commonly done as a way to avoid post-workout muscle soreness (PWMS) . However, it has been found that this beneficial effect on recovery is not true, and that in addition can further accentuate the magnitude and symptoms of PWMS. In the long term, it has been verified that a high level of flexibility is associated with the reduction of PWMS (Freitas, 2010) . Also in the tendinopathies , the practice of stretching is shown to be beneficial, since the greater elasticity of the tendon is a determining factor in the stored energy, something that will have preponderance in ballistic movements, namely tasks with stretch-shortening muscle cycle (Witvrouw et al . , 2007) . In the context of rehabilitation, it has been demonstrated that the practice of stretching causes improvements in vascular endothelial function and peripheral circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (Hotta et al . , 2013) .

In this way, the continued practice of stretching, although these do not have as a rule a beneficial effect on parameters such as muscle strength or pain, will in the long term enhance maximum and rapid force and will reduce the period of induced muscle pain by training. This is due to the musculoskeletal adaptations associated with a training program that includes the practice of stretching. Likewise, the practice of stretching conjugated, for example, with eccentric training may also be beneficial in rehabilitation.

Summary

The present application relates to an electronic stretching equipment comprising:

Two tubes (1), two vertical tubes (6) each comprising holes along the vertical axis of the inner side and the outside of the vertical tube (6), a horizontal tube (17) and a horizontal tube (18), that make the standing frame of the equipment ;

Two cables (4) wherein one of the cables (4) is on the right side of the equipment and the other cable (4) is on the left side of the equipment;

Six pulleys (3) each comprising two cable supports (2), wherein two pulleys (3) are mobile and each fixed to a mobile pulley support (12), and the other four pulleys (3) are fixed; and wherein one mobile pulley (3) and two fixed pulleys (3) on the right side of the equipment are associated with the cable (4) on the right side of the equipment, and the other mobile pulley (3) and the other fixed pulleys (3) on the left side of the equipment are associated with the cable (4) on the left side of the equipment;

A dismountable bar (5), wherein the dismountable bar (5) is placed at different heights by means of the holes on the inner side of the vertical tube (6);

Two lateral mobile height changer structures (13) comprising the mobile pulley support (12) and the mobile pulleys (3), wherein the lateral mobile height changer structures (13) moves vertically through the vertical tube (6) by means of the holes on the outer side of the vertical tube (6);

A structure to stretch (11) fixed on the center of the horizontal tube (18);

A fixed bar (16) attached to a projected horizontal section of the vertical tubes (6) on the top of the equipment;

Two hoists (8), one hoist (8) placed on the right of the equipment and another on the left of the equipment, wherein the right hoist (8) is connected the right cable (4) the left hoist (8) is connected to the left cable (4);

Two handles (9), each comprising a remote controller (19), and each handle (9) is connected to a cable (4) and associated with a lateral mobile height changer structure (13) ;

Four remote controllers (19), wherein two of the remote controllers (19) are each placed in the handles (9), and the other two remote controllers (19) are free; and wherein one remote controller (19) of the right handle (9) and one free remote controller (19) controls the right hoist (8) and the remote controller (19) of the left handle (9) and the other free remote controller (19) controls the left hoist (8); An electric board (23), connected to the hoists (8), wherein the electric board (23) receives orders from the remote controllers (19) .

In one embodiment the equipment further comprises two carabiners (15), each carabiner (15) connects each cable (4) to the handles (9) .

In another embodiment ankle straps (22) replace the handles

(9) by means of the carabiners (15) .

In yet another embodiment the equipment further comprises a counterweight (14) in each cable (4), and the counterweight (4) is placed between the handle (9) and the mobile pulley

(3) .

In one embodiment each lateral mobile height changer structure (13) further comprises a support (20) for the free remote controllers (19) .

In another embodiment the equipment further comprises caps

(10) at the ends of the tubes (1) and each end of the vertical tubes ( 6 ) .

In another embodiment the dismountable bar (5) is made of two parts screwed onto each other.

In yet another embodiment the equipment further comprises two hoist supports (7), one for each hoist (8) .

In one embodiment the remote controllers (19) have two buttons, one to allow the hoist (8) to roll the cable (4), and the other to allow the hoist (8) to unroll the cable

(4) . In another embodiment the hoists (8) and the electric board (23) are covered by a hood.

In one embodiment the equipment further comprises a stop button (21) connected to the electric board (23) .

In one embodiment the electric board (23) is placed between both hoists ( 8 ) .

In another embodiment the horizontal tube (18) is fixed to both tubes (1) by fixation means.

In yet another embodiment the horizontal tube (17) is fixed to both vertical tubes (6) by fixation means.

In one embodiment the vertical tubes (6) are fixed to the tubes (1) by fixation means.

In yet another embodiment the equipment further comprises an adjustable bench.

General Description

The present application relates to an electronic exercise equipment to stretch multiple muscle groups of the human body, in order to improve their flexibility and reduce injury risk. The stretching equipment described herein can be used manually by the user itself, or electronically controlled by the user, or an outside person, since it comprises remote controllers .

The problem that the present application intends to solve is the lack of electronic stretching equipment that are capable of stretching multiple muscle groups in a manual and automatic setting.

The manual setting described herein is defined as the user doing the muscle stretching itself, using the diverse features of the stretching equipment.

The automatic setting described herein is defined as the user being positioned in the stretching equipment in order to stretch a set of muscles, and the user itself controlling the electronic system, or a second person remotely controlling the electronic system of the equipment, by means of a remote controller, allowing the equipment to aid the user in the muscle stretching.

Presently, there are no machines capable of stretching multiple muscle groups with electric stretching equipment that comprise a remote controller.

Besides the possibility of stretching multiple muscle groups in only one equipment, the novelty of the present technology is the electronic system, the remote connection, and the remote controller, which is positioned in the handles, which does not exist in any stretching equipment.

Having the remote connection, plus the electronic system, is helpful since the user of the equipment can either use it and stretch on its own without any help from others, or can be helped in the stretching exercise. This dual feature is of extreme relevance if the user lacks the mobility necessary to successfully accomplish the exercise, due to injuries, pain, physical impairment, or if the user has any other difficulty operating the equipment. Therefore, the presently disclosed electronic equipment is ideal to be used in gyms, since gym instructors can actively help their clients if needed, or in physical rehabilitation centers where people present injuries or impairments and require stretching exercises during rehabilitation in a controlled environment supervised by physiatrists .

Thus, this technology aims to motivate people to stretch their muscles when they exercise, in order to prevent injuries on the long term, since most of the gyms do not have a stretching equipment. An equipment can be a motivation for people to actually stretch the muscles, since if there is an empty place to stretch without any kind of equipment in most of the places, people will end up not doing the actual stretching exercises. On the other hand, the user can do the exercise on its own, or with the help of someone else by means of the remote controller.

Brief description of drawings

The present technology is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

Figure 1A illustrates a side view of front of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 1 - tube; 6 - vertical tube.

Figure IB illustrates a side view of the back of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 5 - flexible bar; 6 - vertical tube.

Figure 1C shows a front view of the midsection of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 6 - vertical tube; 9 - handle; 12 - mobile pulley support; 13 - lateral mobile height changer structure.

Figure ID shows a back view of the bottom section of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 8 - hoist; 21 - stop button; 23 - electric board.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the upper section of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 6 - vertical tube; 10 - cap; 16 - fixed bar; 17 - horizontal tube.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the mobile pulley in which the reference numbers represent: 3 - pulley; 4 - cable; 6 - vertical tube; 9 - handle; 12 - mobile pulley support; 13 - lateral mobile height changer structure; 14 - counterweight; 15 - carabiner.

Figure 4 illustrates the front view of the bottom section of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 1 - tube; 2 - cable support; 3 - pulley; 4 - cable; 5 - flexible bar; 8 - hoist; 10 - cap; 11 - structure to stretch; 18 - horizontal tube.

Figure 5 illustrates a back view of the hoist (8) in which reference numbers represent: 1 - tube; 3 - pulley; 4 - cable; 7 - hoist support; 8 - hoist; 18 - horizontal tube.

Figure 6 illustrates a front view of the bottom section of the electronic stretching equipment in which reference numbers represent: 1 - tube; 2 - cable support; 3 - pulley; 4 - cable; 5 - dismountable bar; 8 - hoist; 11 - structure to stretch; 18 - horizontal tube. Figure 7A illustrates the handles (9) comprising the remote controller (19) .

Figure 7B illustrates the handles (9) comprising the remote controller (19), inside and outside of the handle (9) .

Figure 8 illustrates the pulley in which reference numbers represent: 2 - cable support; 3 - pulley.

Figures 9a and 9b illustrates the lateral mobile height changer structure (13) in which reference numbers represent: 12 - mobile pulley support; 13 - lateral mobile height changer structure; 20 - remote control support.

Figure 10 illustrates the ankle strap (22) .

Description of the embodiments

Now, preferred embodiments of the present technology will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. However, they are not intended to limit the scope of this application .

The present application relates to an electronic exercise equipment to stretch multiple muscle groups of the human body. This electronic stretching equipment comprises technical features that allow the user to stretch multiple muscle groups, and an electronic system that allows to control the equipment remotely through remote control.

Even though the equipment comprises an electronic system that is remotely operated by a remote controller, if the user is so inclined to use the manual setting, the user can do so by interacting with the fixed bar, the dismountable bar and the structure to stretch in the equipment. Figures 1A and IB show a front view and a back view, respectively, of the electronic stretching equipment. Figure 1C shows the midsection of the electronic stretching equipment, and Figure ID shows a back view of the bottom of the electronic stretching equipment.

The presently disclosed equipment comprises the following technical elements:

Tube (1) - There are two tubes (1) in the equipment, as shown in Figures 1A and 4. These tubes (1) serve as a base and have fixed on them the vertical tubes (6) and a horizontal tube (18) that brings the two tubes (1) together. In one embodiment at each end of the tubes (1) there can be caps (10) to cover the respective holes of the tubes (1) . In one embodiment the tubes (1), vertical tubes (6) and the horizontal tube (18) are fixed by fixation means. In one embodiment the fixation means are mechanical fixation means.

Cable Support (2) - These features are fixed onto the pulley (3), as shown in Figure 8, two for each pulley (3), so the cable (4) does not move away from the pulley (3) itself. There are twelve cable supports (2) on the equipment in total .

Pulley (3) - The pulleys (3) are made for the cable (4), as shown in Figures 3 to 6, so the cable (4) only moves in the desired direction. There are six pulleys (3) on the equipment, four of them are fixed, as shown in Figure 4, and the other two of them are fixed to a specific structure that makes them mobile, which is the mobile pulley support (12), as shown in Figure 1C and Figure 3. Cable (4) - There are two cables (4), one on the right hoist (8), and one on the left hoist (8), as shown in Figure 4. Depending on the decision of rolling or unrolling the cable

(4), the cable (4) will stretch or shrink onto the Hoist (8), seen in Figure 5. In one embodiment, the cables (4) are covered by a plastic material.

Dismountable bar (5) - As shown in Figures IB and 4, this bar can be placed at different heights, by means of the holes on the inner side of the vertical tube (6), and can be used to stretch the upper side or the lower side of the body. In one embodiment, the dismountable bar (5) aids to stretch, but is not limited to, triceps, legs and back. The user places the dismountable bar (5) on the height the user desires, and stretches the target muscle preferred. The dismountable bar (5) can be made of two parts, making it possible for the user to screw them onto each other, or unscrew it to change the height of the dismountable bar (5) . When the user is not satisfied with the height of the dismountable bar (5), unscrews it and moves it to the height the user wishes and screws both parts on the desired height.

In one embodiment, if the user places the dismountable bar

(5) on one of the lower inner side holes of the vertical tube (6), counting from the bottom of the equipment, the user places its legs on the top of the dismountable bar (5) and stretches the muscles that comprise the back side of the legs .

If the user is not tall and cannot stretch the back on the fixed bar (16), the user can place the dismountable bar (5) on the highest whole of the vertical tube (6) and stretch the back with the aid of the dismountable bar (5) .

It is also possible to stretch in many other ways and the manner described above is the way of stretching without using the remote controller (19) and just by placing the dismountable bar (5) on a desired height.

Vertical tube (6) - There are two vertical tubes (6), as shown in Figure 1A. These vertical tubes (6) are fixed on the tube (1) . The vertical tube (6) comprises holes along a vertical axis on the inner side and the outer side of the tube in order to change the place, and height, of the dismountable bar (5) as the user desires to. As shown in Figure 2, the vertical tubes (6) also have a projected horizontal section on the top, wherein the fixed bar (16) is attached by fixation means on each side of the vertical tubes (6) . In one embodiment the fixation means are mechanical fixation means. On the top portion of the equipment, these vertical tubes (6) have the horizontal tube (17) fixed on them and brings them together. In one embodiment the structures are brought together by mechanical fixation means. As seen in Figure 3, each vertical tube (6) has one mobile pulley (3) with a mobile pulley support (12) attached onto it and one lateral mobile height changer structure (13), that serves to change the height of the handle (9) as the user desires by means of the holes on the outer side of the vertical tubes (6) .

Hoist support (7) - The hoist support is optionally made so that the hoist (8) is not placed on the ground and can be attached to the tubes (1) and (18) with fixation means, as shown in Figure 5. In one embodiment the fixations means are mechanical fixation means.

Hoist (8) - As shown in Figure 5, the hoist rolls or unrolls the cable (4) as the user desires and aids in the stretching of the muscles. In one embodiment, the user rolls the cable (4) by pressing the button to roll that is on the handles (9) and are connected to the remote controller (19), as seen in Figure 7B. The hoist (8) will roll the cable (4) and stretch the user's desired muscle. The electric board (23) is connected to the hoists (8) with electric cables, in which the electric board (23) will make the hoists (8) work in a way that when the person, which can be the user or another person external to the exercise controlling it with the remote controllers (19), stops pressing the button to roll the cable (4) the hoist (8) will stop. In this embodiment, when the cable (4) is being unrolled, it stops as soon as the user stops pressing the button to unroll.

There are two hoists (8), as shown in Figure ID, one for the right side, and other for the left side of the equipment, both positioned at the bottom of the equipment.

By rolling the cable (4) should be understood as the cable is rolling onto the equipment's direction, in the direction of the hoist (8), which means it is stretching the user's targeted muscle. By unrolling the cable (4) should be understood as the cable is rolling further away from the equipment, away from the hoist (8), which means it is not stretching the user' s muscles but losing the tension caused by the stretching. The unrolling is used mostly for the user to rest from the tension caused on the stretching and/or to change exercise.

Handle (9) - As shown in Figures 1C and 7, there are two handles (9) which comprise remote controllers (19), one for each handle (9) . In one embodiment as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the remote controller (19) is positioned inside the handles ( 9 ) .

In one embodiment, if the user wishes to stretch, the user will make the hoist (8) roll the cable (4) by pressing a specific button that is on the remote controller (19) . If the user wishes to stop the cable (4), the user only needs to stop pressing the button and the hoist (8) will immediately stop working. This feature is preferably made in this manner since if the user wants to stretch the muscle a little more, the user only needs to press further and move the finger away as soon as he/she is satisfied with stretching and the cable (4) stops in place. The same works the other way around, if the user wishes to unroll the cable (4), there is a specific button that works exactly the same, as soon as the user moves the finger away from the button, it will stop sending signal to the hoist (8) and it stops.

Cap (10)- In the embodiment shown in the drawings, there are optionally at least four caps (10) on the present equipment, as shown in Figure 4. Two of them serve to cover the holes at the front ends of the tubes (1), and other two caps serve to cover the horizontal holes of the vertical Tube (6) . In one embodiment, the back ends of the tubes (1) can also comprise caps (10) .

Structure to stretch (11)- This structure serves to stretch the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, as shown in Figure 4. The user places its feet on this structure and stretches. As shown in Figure 6, the structure to stretch (11) is fixed on the center of the horizontal Tube (18) that connects both tubes (1) . If needed, at the same time, the user can place his hands on the dismountable bar (5) placed at a desired height, to maintain the equilibrium and only then place the feet on this structure (11) in order to stretch.

Mobile pulley support (12)- There are two mobile pulley supports (12) on the equipment. This support is made so that two of the pulleys (3) are mobile, and not fixed like the other four pulleys (3) at the bottom of the equipment, and the user does not have strict movement angles. As shown in Figure 3, the pulleys (3) are fixed on mobile pulley supports (12) by fixation means, but the structure moves so it makes the pulley (3) mobile. In one embodiment the fixation means are mechanical fixation means. This mobile pulley support

(12) is fixed on the lateral mobile height changer structure

(13), as shown in Figure 9a.

Lateral mobile height changer structure (13) - There are two lateral mobile height changer structures (13) and they vertically move through the vertical tubes (6), by means of the holes in the outer side of the vertical tube (6), in order to change the height that the user wishes to place the handle (9), depending on the exercise the user is doing, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 9. They comprise the mobile pulley support (12), and the mechanism itself to control the height of the Lateral Mobile height changer structure (13) . The Lateral mobile height changer structures (13) are fixed by means of the holes on the outer side of the vertical tube (6) .

In one embodiment, the Lateral mobile height changer structure (13) can comprise a support (20) to put the remote controllers (19) that are not attached to the handles (9), when they are not being used.

Counterweight (14) - The counterweight (14) is used to provide balance and stability to the cable (4), as seen in Figure 3. If the user rolls the cable (4) too much, this counterweight (14) does not allow the handle (9), and anything further of it, to hit the mobile pulley (3) . There are two counterweights (14) in the equipment and they are placed on each of the cables (4), placed between the handles (9) and the mobile pulleys (3) . The present equipment comprises a mechanical element that allows to exchange the handles (9) for the ankle straps (22) at the end of each cable (4) . In a preferred embodiment, the equipment comprises carabiners (15) for that effect. The carabiner (15) connects the cable (4) to the handles (9), as shown in Figure 3. There is also an ankle strap (22), as shown in Figure 10, that can be used if the user wishes to stretch its legs, and this carabiner (15) allows the user to change from the handles (9) to the ankle straps (22) or the other way around. There are two carabiners (15) in the equipment .

Fixed bar (16) - As shown in Figure 2, the fixed bar (16) is cylindrically shaped, and it is attached, by means of fixation, on both projected horizontal sections of the vertical tubes (6) on top of the equipment. In one embodiment the fixation means are mechanical fixation means. The main goal of the fixed bar (16) is for the user to hold on to it with the hands to stretch the back, being the body in suspension on a vertical position.

Horizontal Tube (17) - The horizontal tube (17) is fixed by fixation means on the top of the equipment, on each side of the vertical tube (6) and it connects the vertical tubes (6), as shown in Figure 2.

Horizontal Tube (18) - The horizontal tube (18) is fixed by fixation means on the bottom of the equipment, on each side of the tubes (1) and it connects both tubes (1), as shown in Figure 4.

Remote Controller (19)- There are four remote controllers on the equipment in total. Two of them are placed in the handles (9), in which one of the remote controllers (19) is connected to the right hoist (8) and the other one, with the left hoist (8) . In one embodiment these two remote controllers (19) are positioned inside of the handles (9), as shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

The other two remote controllers (19) are free to be used by the user of the equipment itself or by a second person at a distance from the equipment. In one embodiment, when these two free remote controllers (19) are not in use they can be placed in the support (20) .

One of the free remote controllers (19) is also connected with the left hoist (8) and the other one is connected with the right hoist (8) .

In a preferred embodiment the remote controllers have two buttons, one of the buttons is made to allow the hoist (8) to roll the cable (4) onto the equipment direction that will stretch the user's targeted muscle, and the other button unrolls the cable (4) of the hoist (8) instead, further away from the equipment, which will be used when the user has already finished the exercise or when the user is feeling too much tension on the target muscle he/she is stretching. The remote controllers (19) can have other configurations of buttons that allow the hoists (8) to roll or unroll the cable .

The present equipment can further comprise a hood to cover the hoists (8) and the electric board (23) . It can have attached onto it the STOP button (21) . In one embodiment, the hood is attached onto both tubes (1) and onto the horizontal tube (18) by fixation means.

The equipment can further comprise a STOP button (21), such as seen in Figure ID, connected to the electric board (23) and serves to cut the electric connection in case of emergency .

Ankle Strap (22)- The ankle straps (22) replace the handles (9) when the user wants to stretch its legs, as shown in Figure 10. The user puts the ankle strap (22) onto, for example the carabiner (15), and then connects it to its foot. In order to stretch its legs, the user can grab the vertical tube (6) or the dismountable bar (5) with one hand for equilibrium and with the other hand, the user controls the stretching with the remote controller (19) associated with the hoist (8) of that side of the equipment.

Electric Board (23)- The electric board (23) can be placed between both hoists (8), and is connected to the hoists (8) to receive the orders from the remote controllers (19) . In a preferred embodiment, the electric board (23) is made in a way that when the user presses the buttons of the remote controllers (19), as soon as the user slips the finger away from the buttons, the hoists (8) stop working immediately, this works for the roll and for the unroll button. In this particular embodiment, the electric board (23) was made this way so that when the user wants to stretch a little further, the user presses the roll cable button from the remote controller (19) and when the user is satisfied with the stretch, the user just slips the finger away from the button, which makes the hoist (8) stop the rolling of the cable (4) . In one embodiment the electric board (23) is attached onto the horizontal tube (18) by fixation means.

However, the remote controllers and the electric board can be developed in other manners as long as they serve the purpose of the present technology, which is to command the hoists (8) to roll or unroll the cable (4) and consequently manipulate the handles (9) or the ankle straps (22) .

The two tubes (1), two vertical tubes (6), one horizontal tube (17) and one horizontal tube (18) make the standing frame of the equipment.

Optionally, the presently described equipment further comprises an adjustable bench, wherein the user can seat to perform the stretching in various angles and more comfortably .

For an easier understanding of the present disclosure, the right and left side of the equipment are meant to be defined as the directions according to a user that is positioned directly facing the front side of the equipment as seen in Figure 1A.

Operating the equipment:

In the manual setting there are two bars and one structure that helps the user to stretch:

The fixed bar (16) on the top of the machine serves for the user to grab it with its hands, which will stretch the user's back, while the body is in suspension.

The Dismountable Bar (5) can be positioned in one of the holes in the vertical tube (6), and depending on which hole it is on, it can help stretch the user' s back, triceps and legs. The user takes hold of the bar with the hands and places the body in a ninety-degree angle, which will allow the user to stretch the back. The user can also stretch its back by placing the dismountable bar (5) on one of the highest holes and grab it with the hands and use it exactly like the fixed bar (16), and this particular mode of using the dismountable bar (5) is ideal for smaller users.

In order to stretch its triceps, the user places its elbows on the dismountable bar (5), while the dismountable bar (5) is at the height of the user's head, and stretches. It is also possible to stretch the legs if the user places the dismountable (5) near the height of the waist and places the heel on the top of the dismountable bar (5) .

The structure to stretch (11), is located at the bottom of the machine in the middle, and fixated at the horizontal tube (18), is only made to stretch the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. The user places the foot on the structure to stretch (11) and stretches. It is also possible to place the hands on the dismountable bar (5) to maintain the equilibrium of the body while using the structure to stretch (11) .

In the automatic setting with the handles (9), the user holds the handles (9), that have the remote controllers (19) in them, places the lateral mobile height changer structure (13) on the desired height and presses the button of the remote controllers (19) to roll the cable (4) .

In this setting, the user is able to stretch the triceps, legs, chest, biceps, back and shoulders.

In one embodiment, if the user wishes to stretch the chest, in an upright position of the body, the user places the lateral mobile height changer structure (13) at the height of the shoulder, holds the handle (9) at the same height of the structure (13) and places himself/herself with the back facing the machine and presses button to roll the cable (4) . This will make the user stretch its chest. The user can stretch the way he/she wants, he/she just needs to place the lateral mobile height changer structures (13) in the right angle, for the desired stretching exercise and also with the arms in the desired position.

In one embodiment, it is also possible for the user to stretch its legs, since there are ankle straps (22) available. The handles (9) are connected to the cable (4) with the help of a carabiner (15) and the user can remove the handles (9) and replace them with the ankle straps (22) instead. The user places the ankle strap (22) on the foot, since it is only possible to stretch one leg at a time, and uses one of the hands for equilibrium by holding the vertical tube (6), and the other hand to control the free remote controller (19), since there is no remote controller (19) inside the ankle strap (22) .

There are four remote controllers (19) in total, two in each handle (9), and two free remote controllers (19), that serves to help the user to stretch the legs with the ankle straps (22), or for someone else from the outside to control the stretching exercise.

In one embodiment it is also possible for someone from the outside to control the stretching, such as a fitness instructor, physiotherapist, training partner, etc., with the help of the free remote controllers (19) . The user positions itself on the equipment in place for the desired exercise, with the lateral mobile height changer structure (13) in the desired place as well, to stretch the desired muscles, and the person from the outside will control the stretching .

This description is of course not in any way restricted to the forms of implementation presented herein and any person with an average knowledge of the area can provide many possibilities for modification thereof without departing from the general idea as defined by the claims. The preferred forms of implementation described above can obviously be combined with each other. The following claims further define the preferred forms of implementation.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but the present invention is defined by the claims which follow, along with their fall scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. Electronic stretching equipment comprising:

Two tubes (1), two vertical tubes (6) each comprising holes along the vertical axis of the inner side and the outside of the vertical tube (6), a horizontal tube (17) and a horizontal tube (18), that make the standing frame of the equipment;

Six pulleys (3) each comprising two cable supports (2), wherein two pulleys (3) are mobile and each fixed to a mobile pulley support (12), and the other four pulleys (3) are fixed; and wherein one mobile pulley (3) and two fixed pulleys (3) on the right side of the equipment are associated with the cable (4) on the right side of the equipment, and the other mobile pulley (3) and the other fixed pulleys (3) on the left side of the equipment are associated with the cable (4) on the left side of the equipment ;

A structure to stretch (11) fixed on the center of the horizontal tube (18); A fixed bar (16) attached to a projected horizontal section of the vertical tubes (6) on the top of the equipment ;

characterized by

comprising two hoists (8), one hoist (8) placed on the right of the equipment and another on the left of the equipment, wherein the right hoist (8) is connected the right cable (4) the left hoist (8) is connected to the left cable ( 4 ) ;

Two handles (9), each comprising a remote controller (19), and each handle (9) is connected to a cable (4) and associated with a lateral mobile height changer structure ( 13 ) ;

Four remote controllers (19), wherein two of the remote controllers (19) are each placed in the handles (9), and the other two remote controllers (19) are free; and wherein one remote controller (19) of the right handle (9) and one free remote controller (19) controls the right hoist (8) and the remote controller (19) of the left handle (9) and the other free remote controller (19) controls the left hoist (8);

An electric board (23), connected to the hoists (8), wherein the electric board (23) receives orders from the remote controllers (19) .

2. Electronic stretching equipment according to the previous claim, wherein the equipment further comprises two carabiners (15), each carabiner (15) connects each cable (4) to the handles (9) .

3. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein ankle straps (22) replace the handles (9) by means of the carabiners (15) .

4. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the equipment further comprises a counterweight (14) in each cable (4), and the counterweight (4) is placed between the handle (9) and the mobile pulley (3) .

5. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein each lateral mobile height changer structure (13) further comprises a support (20) for the free remote controllers (19) .

6. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the equipment further comprises caps (10) at the ends of the tubes (1) and each end of the vertical tubes (6) .

7. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the dismountable bar (5) is made of two parts screwed onto each other.

8. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the equipment further comprises two hoist supports (7), one for each hoist (8) .

9. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the remote controllers (19) have two buttons, one to allow the hoist (8) to roll the cable (4), and the other to allow the hoist (8) to unroll the cable ( 4 ) .

10. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the hoists (8) and the electric board (23) are covered by a hood.

11. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the equipment further comprises a stop button (21) connected to the electric board (23) .

12. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the electric board (23) is placed between both hoists (8) .

13. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the horizontal tube (18) is fixed to both tubes (1) by fixation means.

14. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the horizontal tube (17) is fixed to both vertical tubes (6) by fixation means.

15. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the vertical tubes (6) are fixed to the tubes (1) by fixation means.

16. Electronic stretching equipment according to any of the previous claims, wherein the equipment further comprises an adjustable bench.