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Method and apparatus for performing stretching and strengthening exercisesRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Resilient Force Resistance, And User Supplied Counter Force, Attached To UserMethod and apparatus for performing stretching and strengthening exercises description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060183609, Method and apparatus for performing stretching and strengthening exercises. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 120 of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/487,792, filed 23 Feb. 2004. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. TECHNICAL FIELD [0004] The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and sports apparatus, and more specifically to an improved method and apparatus for performing stretching and strengthening exercises for the human body. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART [0005] It is widely recognized and generally accepted that proper stretching and strengthening of the muscles is an important aspect to overall fitness and health. However, most known stretching regimens simply provide independent exercises or movements that the individual must perform. Some forms of structural apparatus and exercise accessories have been designed for use in stretching, e.g., to provide a stationary surface or bar against which a user may stretch, but these structures can be large and unwieldy, and therefore of limited utility. Furthermore, no known apparatus enables the combined benefits of stretching and strengthening in a simple, versatile form. [0006] Assisted stretching is an important subcategory to stretching. Assisted stretching technique has been around for hundreds of years. Thai massage is a form of massage that involves a lot of the stretching of limbs by the person providing the stretching. Assisted stretching is a fundamental and universal physical therapy rehabilitation practice. During rehabilitation from injury or surgery, physical therapists perform assisted stretching on patients to help them regain range of motion and to help realign muscle fibers. Prior to the present invention, simple aids have been used by patients to assist themselves with stretching with limited results. These aids have included towels ropes, resistance bands and simple straps. These aids are limited in their utility relative to the present invention for a number of reasons. [0007] First, they have to effect the stretch with hand and finger strength--which some people especially those who have been injured or arthritic do not have, or find uncomfortable. The present invention has a loop that can be slipped around the side of the hand or wrist providing greater upper body leverage to stretch legs. [0008] Next, they are not adjustable. The present invention is precisely adjustable within millimeters to allow optimal length for one part of the body to be stretching the other part of the body. This provides for the best biomechanics, best positioning, and proper alignment for an assisted stretch to be performed by an individual on themselves. This is important in allowing the user to correctly replicate proven assisted stretching technique according to the principles of safe stretching. In simple layman terms, this means that the user can be most comfortable in stretching. [0009] Next, towels and straps are rigid and do not have give. The present invention has "give" at the end of range of motion and thereby provides a margin of safety. On the other hand, resistance bands alone have too much give or too much elasticity and lack of control when they are of a length that allows one part of the body to stretch the other part of the body. An adjustable strap with resistance at one end uniquely provides the right amount of control and give. [0010] Finally, the resistance means of the present invention, unlike other straps, also allows good leverage and very controlled and comfortable pushing back against resistance for strengthening and warm up. Muscles should be warmed up before stretching and doing strengthening in close proximity to stretching is very efficient and effective especially because tight muscles are often weak muscles. [0011] Some products have been developed in an attempt to address the limitations of simple straps. For example, the StretchRite.TM. Stretching Strap consists of a strap with a series of color coded plastic grips that allow progressive improvement. This product purports to provide a means to stretch in stages and check progress, by adjusting the length of the strap to accommodate the user's body's length and flexibility, and increase tension by changing the handgrip. This product differs from the present invention in that it does not include releasable means for resistance, a means to attach to the body, and its adjustment is accomplished in a manner that relies on hand and finger strength. [0012] Another example is the Stretch Out Strap.TM. product which consists of strap with a series of loops in an attempt to accommodate people of all sizes and deliver the benefit of PNF (an assisted stretching technique used commonly by physical therapists and athletic trainers) without a partner or trainer. The multiple loops purport to allow deep-gradual stretching of major muscle groups. This product differs from the present invention in the same manner as discussed above. [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,955 to Gutkowski, et al. discloses an aerobic exercise device including a belt assembly to be worn around the torso of the user having first and second layers formed of nylon or polypropylene. The belt assembly further includes a plurality of attachment rings connected to the belt assembly and hook and loop fastening strips for removably attaching the belt assembly to the torso of the user. The device further includes a pair of hand assemblies each including finger holes for receiving the fingers of the user, a hand strap for removably attaching each hand assembly to a hand of the user, and an elastic hand resistance member having attachment clips thereon for detachably connecting the hand assembly to one of the attachment rings on the belt assembly. In addition, there are a pair of anklet assemblies each including an ankle wrap for removably attaching each anklet assembly to an ankle of the user, a foot strap for removably attaching each anklet assembly to a foot of the user, a heel strap for extending around the bottom of heel of the user and an elastic foot resistance member having attachment clips thereon for detachably connecting the anklet assembly to one of the attachment clips on the belt assembly. [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,539 to Wise describes a kinesiology testing apparatus which includes a base. A foot treadle is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally attached to the base. A line is provided having a first end and a second end. The second end is secured adjacent to the second end of the foot treadle. Means is provided for securing the first end of the line to a person's arm. When a person has his arm extended out parallel to a floor, a downward force exerted by a foot of the person upon the foot treadle transmits, via the line, a downward force upon the person's arm. [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,626 to Taylor teaches an adjustable resistance exercise device in the form of a continuous loop foot strap which is connected to a bungee cord by an O-ring. An opposite end of the bungee cord is looped through a flexible handle and back through a clamping device. A push button actuator permits the size of the handle loop to be adjusted to adjust the overall length of the device to a) enable a different user to adjust the device for her/his needs, b) alter the configuration for use in a different exercise, or c) increase the resistance force afforded by the device as repetition of the various exercises results in strengthening of various muscle groups. Illustrative exercises are discussed. [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,258 to Emlaw discloses an exercising device which includes a short strap having an interior surface and an exterior surface with a first end and a second end and an intermediate extent. A first pile-type fastener is provided on the interior surface and a second pile-type fastener on the interior surface. A large buckle has parallel end plates with parallel first and second end cross pieces and a central cross piece. The first end cross piece receives the first end. A long strap has a first end constituting a handle. An intermediate extent of the long strap is coupled to the exterior surface of the short strap. [0017] The foregoing patents and product descriptions reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents and products is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents and products disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] The method and apparatus for performing stretching and strengthening exercises of this invention provides a strap apparatus for stretching and strengthening muscles and connective tissue. The inventive apparatus includes a segment of strap material having a first end, a medial portion, and a second end, having a loop formed in the first end, length adjustment means formed in the medial portion, and a connector element attached to the second end. The connector element is adapted for releasable connection to an anchor article, e.g., an extremity cuff member or a clothing article, bearing a receiver adapted for releasable attachment to the connector element. The connector element is also adaptable for releasable attachment to a variety of resistance means such as resistance bands, springs, etc. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for performing stretching and strengthening exercises... 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