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Stretching apparatus for knee flexorStretching apparatus for knee flexor description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070275839, Stretching apparatus for knee flexor. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]The present invention relates to a stretching apparatus for a knee flexor, more particularly, by which a patient having spasticity in a knee flexor and/or contracted muscle can be stretched for treatment and maintain the stretched position without help from another person such as a therapist. [0003]2. Description of the Related Art [0004]Physical conditions such as cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury coexist with muscle spasticity or joint contracture. To treat the spasticity or contracture, a physical therapist (will be simply referred to as "therapist") stretches a joint of a patient with hands and maintains the joint in the stretched position. In particular, in order to stretch a knee flexor, a treatment is performed by stretching a patient in a position as shown in FIG. 5. [0005]The knee flexor is one of knee muscles. This muscle when properly treated allows the patient to walk and move the leg freely. As shown in FIG. 5, in order to treat the knee flexor, a therapist raises the leg in a stretched position and then maintains the raised position for a predetermined time to stretch the spastic muscle or contracted joint. [0006]However, this treatment involves the therapist throughout the entire treatment of the patient. It is a physically hard work and raises treatment cost since it should be performed manually. In addition, correct analysis of the degree of stretching (e.g., time and amount of muscle stretching) is difficult and thus treatment can be rarely objectified. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems of the prior art and therefore an object of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a stretching apparatus capable of allowing a patient to remain in a stretched position during knee flexor stretching without having to be treated continuously by a therapist. [0008]The present invention relates to a stretching apparatus for a knee flexor, more particularly, by which a patient having spasticity in a knee flexor and/or contracted muscle can be stretched for treatment and maintain the stretched position without help from another person such as a therapist. [0009]Another object of the invention is to provide a stretching apparatus capable of enabling objectified management on treatment data such as time and degree of stretching, enabling quantified treatment, releasing the therapist from physical load, and thus optimizing manpower management. [0010]According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the object, the invention provides a stretching apparatus for a knee flexor. The stretching apparatus includes a support part adjustable in angle with respect to a floor, and arranged to support a rear part of the trunk and head of a user; a backing part for supporting a lower limb of the user in a stretched position, the backing part having one end hingeably connected to the support part; and an adjustment part for rotating the backing part at a predetermined angle with respect to the support part. The lower limb of the user can be rotated at the predetermined angle with respect to the trunk and head, thereby stretching the knee flexor. [0011]Preferably, the support part includes a base contacting the floor; a sliding plate having one portion moving up and down with respect to the base; and a support angle adjustment part for supporting the sliding plate in a position rotated for a predetermined angle with respect to the base. [0012]More preferably, the support angle adjustment part comprises a support bar having a first portion coupled with a rear surface of the sliding plate, at a point where the base and the sliding plate define a predetermined angle therebetween, and a second portion coupled with the base. [0013]In addition, it is preferable that the base may have a gear attached thereto, and the sliding plate may have a gear attached thereto and meshed with the gear of the base, and wherein the support angle adjustment part may comprise a driving mechanism for driving the gears. [0014]Preferably, the backing part includes a backing plate of a predetermined length for supporting the lower limb of the user, the backing plate having one portion hinge-coupled to be rotatable with respect to the support part; and a fixing part mounted on the backing plate to fix a knee of the user in an extended position. [0015]Here, the fixing part may comprise a Velcro tape. [0016]Preferably, the adjustment part comprises a cylinder having a first portion hinge-coupled with the backing part and a second portion arranged to contact the base, wherein the length between the first and second portions is adjustable. In addition, the adjustment part may comprise an adjustment bar having a first portion coupled with the backing part and a second portion arranged to contact the base, wherein the adjustment bar comprises a plurality of members of various lengths, whereby one of the members having a suitable length is selected and coupled with the backing part according to an angle between the backing part and the adjustment part. [0017]Preferably, the backing part has a gear attached thereto, and the adjustment part has a gear attached thereto and meshed with the gear of the backing part, and wherein the adjustment part comprises a driving mechanism for driving the gears. [0018]Preferably, the stretching apparatus may further include a smooth cloth of little friction provided on a contact surface of the sliding plate, and the sliding plate may be movable and slidable up and down. [0019]Alternatively, the support part includes a base contacting the floor; a smooth cloth attached to a frame having one portion moving up and down with respect to the base; and a support angle adjustment part for supporting the frame in a position rotated for a predetermined angle with respect to the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020]The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0021]FIGS. 1a to 1c are views illustrating a first embodiment of a stretching apparatus according to the invention; Continue reading about Stretching apparatus for knee flexor... Full patent description for Stretching apparatus for knee flexor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Stretching apparatus for knee flexor 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 Stretching apparatus for knee flexor or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for resistance training Next Patent Application: Non-euclidian three-dimensional objects and methods of forming the same Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Stretching apparatus for knee flexor patent info. 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