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Apparatus for stretching hamstringsRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, StretchingApparatus for stretching hamstrings description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060142130, Apparatus for stretching hamstrings. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates generally to an exercise device and, more particularly, to an exercise device that provides for effective stretching of an individual's hamstrings while the individual maintains a safe, comfortable prone position to eliminate back stress, with a minimum amount of equipment and energy required. [0005] The background information discussed below is presented to better illustrate the novelty and advantages of the present invention. This background information is not admitted prior art. [0006] "Hamstring" is commonly refers to any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to flex and rotate the leg and extend the thigh, although it is not uncommon to hear the term "hamstring" used to refer to either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee. In either or both cases, maintaining the flexibility of this muscle and/or tendon group is important. Senior citizens seem to derive a great deal of benefit, in preserving and in some cases even increasing their mobility, when the flexibility of their hamstrings is maintained. It is well-known that as people age their muscles frequently loose there flexibility. Moreover, underutilization of any muscle group by people of any age will result in atrophy of that muscle. When muscles, especially the hamstrings, become less flexible and start to atrophy, the risk of injury to these muscles increases. An injury to the hamstring muscles and tendons can seriously impair the quality of life of an elderly individual, by limiting their mobility and, perhaps, even rendering the person immobile depending on the severity of the injury to the muscle. [0007] Such injuries, however, are not limited to older persons. If a younger person's hamstrings are not properly conditioned by regular stretching, they are also prone to injury. This is one reason why athletes or dancers, prior to an event or performance, make it a point to take the time to perform warm-up exercises, such as stretching and bending. Without these conditioning exercises their muscles would not operate effectively and safely. [0008] There are a number of specific stretching exercises that are useful for properly conditioning the hamstrings. One of these exercises requires a person to lean forward toward a wall and to place their hands on the wall for support while keeping one leg relatively straight and stretching the other leg out behind them. While in this position, the heel of the rearward held foot is brought as close to the ground as possible. Another stretching exercise requires the exerciser to lie prone on his or her back, raising one leg toward the ceiling and grabbing hold of the raised leg and pulling it as far as possible toward their torso. Yet still another stretching exercise is for one to sit on the floor with legs spread out and to take turns bending the torso down toward each leg and/or to the area of the floor between one's stretched legs, and to hold that position for as long as comfortable. [0009] These methods of stretching the hamstring, however, are difficult for many people to perform as these exercises require a relatively high degree of mobility and flexibility. If one is older, or suffering from an injury that has limited this type of activity for any significant period of time, it is highly likely that he or she will lack the necessary degree of flexibility and mobility to achieve the required stretch. However, avoiding stretching exercises will only further compound the problem, for as with all muscles, the longer the hamstring remains inactive, the weaker and more foreshortened it becomes, and, thus, more prone to injury. [0010] Attempts to alleviate these problems have been made. There are a number of means available for those who either desire to increase the flexibility of their hamstrings, or are required to do so in order to rehabilitate an injured hamstring muscle, or because of other physical reasons. These means are usually devices that, while varying in structure and operation, are all designed to provide a way for people to obtain the benefits of exercising the hamstring, while attempting to reduce the amount of physical effort required. [0011] There are, however, a number of problems with such devices. Many of them are quite unwieldy, having a number of pulleys, elastic bands, cables, or other moving parts that must be attached to fixed surfaces before they are ready for use. In some cases, these parts, especially the pulleys, may add weight to the device, making it less useable for those who are not as strong as the average person. Moreover, required moving parts provide opportunities for the device to malfunction or to cease to work altogether, as well as likely presenting a need for frequent replacement, and increasing the overall cost of the manufacturing of the device that will inevitably be passed on to the consumer. Importantly, the devices that must be anchored to something fixed prior to use are difficult, if not impossible, for users to freely relocate the device, as desired. [0012] An additional factor, created by the complexity of some of these devices, is the need for a prospective user of the device to obtain help in setting-up the devices, or in the use of the device. When exercising in a gym or other more public location, there is ample opportunity for a user of an exercising device to find assistance when needed. In the privacy of the home that opportunity is generally not available. Many of the hamstring stretching devices presently available require the person performing the exercise to have another person near by to provide the pressure that might be required to keep the exercise's leg from bending while the exercising person is performing a given exercise. This requirement further limits a user's ability to use such devices whenever the user wishes and may be enough of a detriment to discourage use of the device. [0013] Yet still another problem with many of the devices presently available is the amount of strength required, on the part of a user, to get the device to function. Even in the simplest of these devices, a user is often required to exert a strong arm pull to get any benefit from the device. While this may well be within the capacity of a younger and more robust person, those who may benefit most from the device, namely the elderly or those in a weakened condition, are most likely to have considerable difficulty in exerting the required pull, unless given assistance. [0014] In order to derive the optimum benefit from these devices the leg being exercised must be kept straight. If the knee is allowed to bend while the hamstrings are being stretched, the hamstrings are caused to relax, thus, experiencing no tension and receiving no benefit from the stretch. Few, if any of the devices presently available for working the hamstrings, provide for means to keep the knee straight, thus permitting, or even encouraging, improper use of the device, resulting in little, if any, benefit from its use. [0015] Moreover, the devices currently available bring into play muscle groups of the lower back. In order to operate the pulleys, ropes, or other devices present in many of these devices, a user is required to bend from the lower back, which places a tremendous strain on the back. For many users, such movements create a potential for back injury, especially if the individual's muscles lack tone and strength, or if the individual previously suffered back problems. Such potential problems are often a source of anxiety about using the current devices by people who would benefit from their use the most. [0016] A further important issue relating to the use of the presently available devices is that of cost. The more complicated the device the more costly it is likely to be. Similarly, if a device is comprised of many parts, the number of parts is usually indicative of the cost. The larger devices that are often found in health centers are often prohibitively expensive for home use. [0017] Accordingly, it would be a significant improvement in the art to provide for a simple, lightweight, portable hamstring stretching device, with no moving parts; that does not require outside assistance to use; which keeps the leg straight preventing bending of the knee; allows the user to remain in a relaxed position, so that no stress is placed on the lower back, and provides an optimal stretch for the hamstring when used that because of its simplicity is inexpensive to manufacture and thus, is affordable to most all people. SUMMARY [0018] The present invention satisfies the urgent need in the art for a hamstring stretching device that eliminates the complexities of the current stretching devices. The device is of simple construction, as it comprises a unitary frame, requiring economical manufacturing methods. Moreover, the device may be made of many available and inexpensive materials, such as any suitable metal or plastic, thus making the device attractively affordable. The hamstring stretching device, according to the principals of the present invention, allows the user to use the device at their own convenience, without any of the concerns so frequently found with other hamstring stretching devices. [0019] Because of its simple construction and because the device may be made from any strong, lightweight material, it is lightweight and easily transported. The present invention requires none of the moving parts that are so prevalent in so many of the currently available hamstring stretching devices, thus, removing the concerns of the moving parts breaking or requiring periodic replacement. Continue reading about Apparatus for stretching hamstrings... Full patent description for Apparatus for stretching hamstrings Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus for stretching hamstrings patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus for stretching hamstrings or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Personal supporting device Next Patent Application: Conductive roller and inspection method therefor Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus for stretching hamstrings patent info. 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