Foldable stretching monitor

Abstract

A testing device for monitoring the stretching ability of a user. The device has a generally box-like structure that includes a monitor to measure the user's extent of reach and thus flexibility. The device can be configured for use by two users simultaneously. The device includes a system that allows the device to be configured in a first, “in-use” position, and in a second, “collapsed” 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.

1 . A stretching device comprising: 
 a generally box-shaped structure having a front panel, a top panel, a back panel and a bottom panel; the front panel including first and second areas for receipt of a user's feet; and    a plurality of hinges hingedly connecting 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.    
   
   
       2 . The stretching device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 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.    
   
   
       3 . The stretching device of  claim 2  wherein each side panel is hingedly connected to the top panel.  
   
   
       4 . The stretching device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a platform planar with and extending from the top panel, the platform have a shape; and    an aperture in the front panel having a shape configured to receiving the platform therein, the aperture positioned between the first area and the second area for receipt of a user's feet.    
   
   
       5 . The stretching device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a measuring device extending on the platform and the top panel.    
   
   
       6 . The stretching device of  claim 1  comprising: 
 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.    
   
   
       7 . The stretching device of  claim 6  wherein the first shape and the second shape are the same.  
   
   
       8 . The stretching device of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 a first measuring device extending on the first platform and the top panel; and    a second measuring device extending on the second platform and the top panel.    
   
   
       9 . A stretching device comprising: 
 a structure having a front panel, a top panel, a back panel and a bottom panel; the front panel including first and second areas for receipt of a user's feet;    a plurality of hinges hingedly connecting 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 having a first configuration occupying a first volume, and a second configuration occupying a second volume that is less than the first volume.    
   
   
       10 . The stretching device of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 a first side panel and a second side panel, each side panel being hingedly connected to the top panel.    
   
   
       11 . The stretching device of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 a platform planar with and extending from the top panel, the platform have a shape; and    an aperture in the front panel having a shape configured to receiving the platform therein, the aperture positioned between the first area and the second area for receipt of a user's feet.    
   
   
       12 . The stretching device of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 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.    
   
   
       13 . The stretching device of  claim 12  wherein the first shape and the second shape are the same.  
   
   
       14 . A method of use comprising: 
 (a) providing a stretching device comprising 
 a structure having a front panel, a top panel, a back panel and a bottom panel; the front panel including first and second areas for receipt of a user's feet; and  
 a plurality of hinges hingedly connecting 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;  
   (b) configuring the stretching device in an in-use configuration to form a generally box-shaped structure and placing the stretching device on a surface;    (c) seating a user on the surface with the user's feet positioned against the front panel in the first and second areas;    (d) the user leaning forward and stretching at least partially across the top panel; and    (e) after the user leaning forward and stretching, configuring the stretching device in a collapsed configuration to form a generally planar structure.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of configuring the stretching device in a collapsed configuration comprises: 
 (a) configuring the stretching device in a collapsed configuration by moving the plurality of hinges.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of providing a stretching device comprises: 
 (a) providing a stretching device comprising 
 a structure having a front panel, a top panel, a back panel and a bottom panel;  
 a plurality of hinges hingedly connecting 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;  
 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.  
   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 (a) seating a first user on the surface with the first user's feet positioned against the front panel in the first and second areas and seating a second user on the surface with the second user's feet positioned against the front panel in the third and fourth areas; and    (b) the first user leaning forward and stretching at least partially across the top panel and the second user leaning forward and stretching at least partially across the top panel.