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Foldable stretching monitorRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, MiscellaneousFoldable stretching monitor description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060135332, Foldable stretching monitor. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates to a testing device for testing the physical attributes of a user. More particularly, the device is configured to test the stretching ability of the user. BACKGROUND [0002] Flexibility is a vital component of one's physical condition and improving flexibility is a sought-after goal for many fitness programs. A persons flexibility can be a determining factor in a persons physical heath, because many injuries, sports related or not, can be avoided or lessened if the person is more flexible and the muscles are adapted to being used. [0003] The legs and lower back are two of the most important areas of the body to stretch. The most common stretching exercise is to reach for one's toes. This stretch can be performed either standing up or sitting down. The goal of the exercise is to reach one's toes. A shortcoming of this stretch is that it is difficult to tell how far a person can reach, in relation to their toes. It is no longer acceptable merely to touch the toes; many exercise programs monitor flexibility improvement, in reaching the toes and progressing farther. [0004] Another shortcoming of the toe-touching stretch is that the distance to ones toes can be an inaccurate measurement to be used as comparison against others. The distance between the waist, where one bends, to the toes, varies from person to person. A person with longer legs has farther to stretch to reach the toe than someone with shorter legs. [0005] Many stretching testers and boxes have been designed to facilitate and standardize flexibility measurement. One approach was to place a scale on the outside of a box. A user places his feet inside the box and leans as far forward as possible. By noting where the user's hands are on the scale of the box a degree of flexibility can be determined. [0006] Various other stretching devices have been designed. For example, some designs incorporate a bar with multiple ladder rung type projections extending therefrom. Flexibility is determined by noting which projections are grasped during the stretch. U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,925 to Wideman et al. discloses such a design. Other designs utilize a generally box-shaped device that includes a platform extending from the box top toward the seated user. The platform includes a scale for noting the user's flexibility. [0007] A disadvantage with these prior stretching or flexibility devices is that they are generally large, bulky, and occupy a large volume. Due to their size, they are not easy to transport or store. [0008] Improvements are needed. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0009] The present disclosure is directed to an exercise device for testing the physical capabilities of a user, particularly, the stretching ability of the user. The device has a structure that facilitates proper stretching form. A monitor is included to measure the user's extent of reach and thus flexibility. [0010] The device includes a system that allows the device to be configured in a first position, such as during use, and in a second position, during non-use. When in the second position, the device is compact, occupies less volume, occupies less surface area on a floor or other support surface, and is easy to carry. [0011] In one particular embodiment of the disclosure, a stretching device is provided. The stretching device comprises a generally box-shaped structure having a front panel, a top panel, a back panel and a bottom panel with the front panel including first and second areas for receipt of a user's feet. A plurality of hinges hingedly connects the front panel to the top panel, the top panel to the back panel, the back panel to the bottom panel, and the bottom panel to the front panel. The device may include a first side panel and a second side panel, each side panel being hingedly connected to one of the front panel, the top panel, the back panel and the bottom panel, preferably to the top panel. When the device is configured for use by two users, the device often includes a first platform planar with and extending from the top panel, the first platform have a first shape, a first aperture in the front panel having a shape configured to receiving the first platform therein, the first aperture positioned between the first area and the second area for receipt of a user's feet, a second platform planar with and extending from the top panel, the second platform have a second shape, and a second aperture in the front panel having a shape configured to receiving the second platform therein, the second aperture positioned between a third area and a fourth area for receipt of a second user's feet. [0012] In another particular embodiment of the disclosure, another stretching device is provided. The stretching device has a structure having a front panel, a top panel, a back panel and a bottom panel with the front panel including first and second areas for receipt of a user's feet. A plurality of hinges hingedly connects the front panel to the top panel, the top panel to the back panel, the back panel to the bottom panel, and the bottom panel to the front panel. The structure has a first configuration occupying a first volume, and a second configuration occupying a second volume that is less than the first volume. The device may include a first side panel and a second side panel, each side panel being hingedly connected to one of the front panel, the top panel, the back panel and the bottom panel, preferably to the top panel. [0013] The disclosure also provides a method of using a stretching device, that generally includes configuring the stretching device in an in-use configuration to form a generally box-shaped structure and placing the stretching device on a surface, seating a user on the surface with the user's feet positioned against the front panel in the first and second areas, having the user lean forward and stretch at least partially across the top panel, and then after the user leaning forward and stretching, configuring the stretching device in a collapsed configuration to form a generally planar structure. The stretching device can be collapsed by moving the plurality of hinges. Such a method also pertains to two users. [0014] Additional details regarding the stretching monitor according to the present disclosure and methods of using the device are provided below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretching monitor according to the present invention, in a first, in-use position. [0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the stretching monitor of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the stretching monitor of FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the stretching monitor of FIG. 1. [0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stretching monitor, as in FIG. 1, with hinges shown and other various portions of the monitor shown in phantom. [0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stretching monitor of FIGS. 1-5 illustrated in a second, collapsed position. Continue reading about Foldable stretching monitor... Full patent description for Foldable stretching monitor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Foldable stretching monitor 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 Foldable stretching monitor or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Support for an exercise ball Next Patent Application: Inducing mechanism for a tool changing device of a machine Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Foldable stretching monitor patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11649 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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