Leg Stretching Machine For Simultaneously Stretching All Stride Muscles And Method Of Using

Abstract

A muscle-stretching machine designed to provide the user with an easy method of functional and dynamic stretching and also provide the user with flexibility feedback information as to the performance of the stretch, with regards to the included angle between the two legs. A user of the muscle stretching machine can set the roller pad along any point along the back of the user's leg and set the angle the roller pad makes with the floor, so that the angle exceeds the users stride length. The user then lies on their back on the cushioned surface; places one leg on the roller pad and the other leg is allowed to hang down. If the roller pad is set at an angle that exceeds the users stride length, then the leg not on the pad will not contact the floor. As a result, when the free leg drops all the muscles in the user's stride are stretched.

1 . Personal apparatus for stretching the leg, abdominal, groin, and lower back muscles of a user, where said apparatus provides flexibility feedback to said user on the performance of said muscle stretching apparatus comprising: a two sided, horizontally oriented bench system formed by a plurality of horizontal frame members a cushioned surface and a plurality of vertical frame members secured thereto to define a floor supporting base, said cushioned surface, and two sides for said system, where said system is sized to accommodate said user in a reclined position; a manually operable leg holder is vertically and rotatably adjustable to support the leg of said user, and said leg holder makes contact with the upper and lower leg of said user; a said bench system for receiving said user in a reclined position; said leg holder is coupled to said bench system using vertically and rotatably adjustable said vertical frame members; and visual means to provide said real time feedback to said user on the performance of said stretching, said means including a marked surface and pointer monitoring said performance. 
     
     
         2 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said horizontally oriented frame members comprise in part a plurality of generally rectangular members coupled to said cushioned surface and said vertical frame members to form said bench system. 
     
     
         3 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein there are a pair of parallel, vertically and rotatably adjustable said frame members consisting of C-shaped channels, the open ends facing one another. 
     
     
         4 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein a manually operable slide mechanism to facilitate the vertical movement of said leg holder, further said slide mechanisms having quick release pin and lever mechanisms attached thereto to allow said user to vertically adjust height of said leg holder. 
     
     
         5 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein there are a pair of stationary, vertical plates protruding both horizontally and vertically from said cushioned surface and forming the sides of said bench system; said vertical plates accept said C-shaped channels with openings facing one another and allow said C-shaped channels to be vertically and rotatably adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a manually operable pair of said slide mechanisms consists of second sized C-shaped channels, the open ends facing away from one another, where said slide mechanism is sized to slide without restriction when said quick release pin and lever mechanism is released. 
     
     
         7 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said C-shaped channels attach rotatably to said vertical plates and held in place by accurate placement of second pair of said quick release pin and lever mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein all said quick release pin and lever mechanisms are spring loaded so that said pin retracts when said lever is depressed and said pin sets when said lever is released. 
     
     
         9 . The personal stretching apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said leg holder is coupled to said slide mechanism so that it is parallel, variably positioned, and locked for said user's leg above said bench system. 
     
     
         10 . A personal exercise machine comprising a cushioned back pad that is sized to accommodate a user in a reclined position, and a plurality of vertical members rotatably attached to the back pad, the machine further comprising:
 a pivot plate assembly that pivotally interconnects the vertical members to the back pad, the pivot plate including means for manually selecting one of a plurality of angles between the vertical members and the back pad, and a roller pad assembly movably attached to the vertical members for supporting the user's leg when raised vertically, the position of the roller pad assembly along a length of the vertical members being manually selectable.   
     
     
         11 . The personal exercise machine of  claim 10  wherein the particular angle selected is visually indicated on the pivot plate assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A method for stretching muscles in a user's stride on the personal exercise machine of  claim 1  comprising the following steps:
 reclining on the back pad and extending one of the user's legs vertically to make contact with the roller pad assembly such that the roller pad is positioned behind the user's knee allowing that leg to bend; allowing the user's other leg to hang freely in a generally horizontal position without coming in contact with a floor beneath the back pad; 
 adjusting the angle between the vertical members and the back pad assembly that causes the hanging leg to raise upward slightly off the floor; and 
 allowing the weight of the hanging leg to stretch the muscles in the user's stride. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method for stretching muscles in a user's stride according to  claim 12  wherein the roller pad is positioned behind the user's calf not allowing the extended leg to bend. 
     
     
         14 . The method for stretching muscles in a user's stride according to  claim 13  wherein the user's other leg hangs freely in a bent position without coming in contact with a floor beneath the back pad. 
     
     
         15 . The method for stretching muscles in a user's stride according to  claim 13  wherein the angle between the vertical members and the back pad assembly causes the foot of the hanging leg to slightly make contact with the floor beneath the back pad. 
     
     
         16 . The method for stretching muscles in a user's stride according to  claim 13  wherein the angle between the vertical members and the back pad assembly causes the hanging leg to raise a significant distance upward off of the floor allowing the up and down motion of the hanging leg to stretch the muscles in the users stride.