Stretching exercises should be performed prior to and following physical exercise in order to prevent muscle and other physical strains. In general, stretching exercises are carried out without the aid of equipment, and a subject performing stretching exercises commonly relies upon a wall, floor or other structure for support during the performance of stretching exercises. For example, in the stretching of limbs, a subject may stand on the ground and place their two hands resting against a wall.

Stretching exercises may also be performed by a subject in a seated position.

However, frequently stretching exercises are performed when the subject is in an incorrect posture, and can result in damage to muscles or other tissues of the subject due to incorrect positioning of the limbs and the like during the stretching exercises.

Accordingly, there is a need for apparatus for facilitating the performance of stretching exercises by a subject.

The present invention is directed towards providing such apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for facilitating the performance of stretching exercises by a subject, wherein the apparatus comprises a seating means for accommodating a subject in a seated position, a foot engaging means for engaging a foot of the subject, a hand grip means for gripping by the subject, the seating means, the foot engaging means and the hand grip means being co-operable for facilitating the performance of the stretching exercises by the subject when seated on the seating means with at least one foot of the subject engaged with the foot engaging means and/or at least one hand of the subject gripping the hand grip means.

In one embodiment of the invention one of the seating means and the foot engaging means is moveable relative to the other for facilitating the performance of different stretching exercises.

In another embodiment of the invention the foot engaging means is moveable.

Preferably, the seating means is moveable relative to the foot engaging means, and relative to the hand grip means.

In one embodiment of the invention an elongated main support means is provided the elongated main support means extending between a forward end and a rearward end, and the seating means is slidable on the main support means between the forward end and the rearward end thereof.

Preferably, an elongated forward support means extends in a general direction forwardly and upwardly from the main support means at the forward end thereof.

Preferably, the foot engaging means comprises a forward foot engaging means, and the forward foot engaging means is slidable longitudinally on the forward support means from the forward end of the main support means. Advantageously, the forward support means extends from the main support means. Ideally, a portion of the forward support means adjacent the main support means is of arcuate shape.

Preferably, the arcuate portion of the forward support means is concave when viewed from above.

In one embodiment of the invention a stop means is provided on the forward end of the main support means for preventing sliding of the forward foot engaging means from the forward support means onto the main support means. Preferably, the stop means forms a forward stationary foot engaging means.

In one embodiment of the invention the hand grip means comprises a pair of forward hand grip means on respective opposite sides of the main support means.

Advantageously, each forward hand grip means extends upwardly from the main

support means. Preferably, each forward hand grip means is carried on a corresponding upstanding member extending upwardly from the main support means. Preferably, the upstanding members are pivotally connected to the main support means and are pivotal about an axis extending transversely of the main support means towards and away from the seating means. Advantageously, the respective upstanding members are pivotal through a plurality of selectable angular positions for selectively locating the forward hand grip means in any one of a plurality of selectable locations.

In one embodiment of the invention a hand grip locking means is provided for selectively locking the forward hand grip means in any one of the plurality of selectable locations. Preferably, the forward hand grip means are mounted on the main support means adjacent the forward end thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention an elongated rear support means extends in a general direction upwardly from the main support means at the rear end thereof.

In another embodiment of the invention the foot engaging means comprises a rear foot engaging means mounted on the rear support means. Preferably, the rear foot engaging means is pivotally carried on the rear support means, and is pivotal about a pivot axis extending transversely of the rear support means. Advantageously, the rear foot engaging means depends from the pivot axis. Ideally, the rear foot engaging means is resiliently bias about the pivot axis towards the seating means.

In one embodiment of the invention a foot engaging locking means is provided for locking the rear foot engaging means in at least one selectable angular position about the pivot axis.

Ideally, a pair of rear foot engaging means are provided on respective opposite sides of the rear support means.

In one embodiment of the invention the hand grip means comprises a first rear hand grip means mounted on the rear support means. Preferably, the first rear hand grip

means is pivotally mounted on the rear support means about a pivot axis extending transversely of the rear support means. Advantageously, the first rear hand grip means is pivotal through a plurality of selectable angular positions.

In one embodiment of the invention a rear hand grip locking means is provided for selectively locking the first rear hand grip means in each of the selectable angular positions.

In another embodiment of the invention the first rear hand grip means is located above the rear foot engaging means.

Preferably, the first hand grip means extends on respective opposite sides of the rear support means.

In one embodiment of the invention a second rear hand grip means is mounted on the rear support means.

In one embodiment of the invention the second rear hand grip means extends on respective opposite sides of the rear support means.

In another embodiment of the invention the second rear hand grip means comprises a second upper hand grip means and a second lower hand grip means.

In one embodiment of the invention one of the second rear hand grip means is a stationary hand grip means, and the other is moveably mounted.

In one embodiment of the invention the seating means is swivelable about an upwardly extending axis between a forwardly facing orientation and a rearwardly facing orientation for co-operating with the forward foot engaging means and the rear foot engaging means, respectively.

In another embodiment of the invention a seat locking means is provided for locking the seating means in the forwardly facing orientation and rearwardly facing

orientation. Preferably, the seating means is selectively lockable by the seat locking means in a sidewardly facing orientation.

In one embodiment of the invention the seating means and the forward foot engaging means are mounted on respective carrier means which slidably engage the corresponding support means. Preferably, each carrier means comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart upper rollers for bearing downwardly on the corresponding support means, and a lower roller for bearing upwardly on the corresponding support means.

In one embodiment of the invention each main and forward support means comprises an elongated support track. Preferably, each support track is of box section material.

In one embodiment of the invention the seating means comprises a seat portion and a backrest portion.

In one embodiment of the invention a foot support means extends rearwardly from the backrest portion of the seating means for supporting a foot of the subject.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention for facilitating the performance of stretching exercises, Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1,

and Figs. 5 to 16 are partly schematic perspective views of the apparatus in use illustrating a subject performing different types of stretching exercises.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for facilitating the performance of stretching exercises by a subject. The apparatus 1 comprises a main support means provided by an elongated main support track 5 which extends substantially horizontal between a forward end 6 and a rearward end 7, and is supported on a forward support 9 and a rear support 10, both of which are mounted on a base 11. A forward support means comprising an elongated forward support track 12 extends generally forwardly and upwardly from the forward end 6 of the main track 5. A portion 14 of the forward support track 12 adjacent the main track 5 is of arcuate shape. A rear support means, namely, an elongated rear support 15 extends upwardly from the rearward end 7 of the main track 5, and is connected thereto by an inclined portion 16. The main support track 5, the forward support track 12 and the rear support 15 are of box section steel.

A seating means, namely, a seat 18 for seating the subject during the stretching exercises is slidably carried on the main support track 5, and is slidable between the forward end 6 and the rearward end 7. A foot engaging means, in this embodiment of the invention comprises a forward foot engaging means, namely, a forward foot platform 20 for engaging and supporting one or both feet of the subject during the stretching exercises. The foot engaging means also comprises a rear foot engaging means, namely, a pair of rear foot engaging members 21 also for engaging and supporting one or both feet of the subject during stretching exercises. The forward foot platform 20 is slidably carried on the forward support track 12, and is slidable along the forward track 12 from the forward end 6 of the main track 5. The rear foot engaging members 21 are located on respective opposite sides of the rear support 15, and depend downwardly from respective pivot shafts 23 which are pivotally carried on the rear support 15. A stop means, namely, a stop member 22 is mounted on the main support track 5 adjacent the forward end 6 thereof for preventing sliding

of the forward foot platform 20 onto the main track 5. The stop member 22 acts as a stationary foot platform for also accommodating one or both feet of the subject during stretching exercises.

A hand grip means for gripping by the subject during the performance of the stretching exercises comprises a forward hand grip means, namely, a pair of forward hand grips 25 located on respective opposite sides of the main support track 5. The hand grip means also comprises a first rear hand grip 26 and second upper and lower rear hand grips 27 and 29, respectively, extending on respective opposite sides of the rear support 15. The first rear hand grip 26 is carried in a pivot bracket 28 mounted on the rear support 15. The second upper rear hand grips 27 are stationary hand grips, are located above the first rear hand grip 26, and extend upwardly from the rear support 15. The second lower rear hand grips 29 are pivotally carried on a mounting bracket 30 extending from the rear support 15.

The seat 18, the forward foot platform 20, the rear foot engaging members 21, the stop member 22, the forward hand grips 25 and the first and second rear hand grips 26,27 and 29 all co-operate together for facilitating the performance of many stretching exercises by the subject as will be described below.

Turning now to the seat 18, the seat 18 comprises a seat portion 35 and a backrest 36. A central pod 38 extending upwardly from a carrier means, namely, a seat carrier 40 supports the seat portion 35. A pair of upper rollers 41 which are rotatably carried on corresponding shafts 42 in the seat carrier 40 rollably engage and bear downwardly on the main support track 5. A lower roller 43 rotatably carried on a shaft 44 in the seat carrier 40 rollably engages and bears upwardly on the main support track 5 for slidably mounting the seat 18 on the main support track 5. A swivel shaft 49 extends from the seat portion 32 downwardly through the central pod 38 for facilitating swivelling of the seat 18 through 360° between a forwardly facing orientation with the seat 18 facing the forward foot platform 20 as illustrated in Fig. 1, and a rearwardly facing orientation illustrated in Fig. 2 with the seat 18 facing the rear foot engaging members 21. A seat locking means, comprising a locking pin 45 beneath the seat 18 is provided for locking the seat 18 in the forward facing and

rearward facing orientations, respectively. The seat 18 is also lockable by the locking pin 45 in two sidewardly facing orientations with the seat 18 facing on respective opposite sides of the main support track 5. The swivel shaft 49 is also linearly slideable in the central pod 38 for facilitating height adjustment of the seat 18. The provision of such swivelling and locking of a seat in respective desired orientations and the provision of height adjustment of a seat will be well known to those skilled in the art. A facility (not shown) is also provided for facilitating forward and rearward tilting of the seat 18 for use in some of the stretching exercises. A foot support 47 extends rearwardly from the backrest 36 for supporting one foot of the subject during some stretching exercises when the subject is not seated on the seat 18. The foot support 47 is slidably carried on a support tack 48 which extends vertically along the back of the backrest 36 for adjusting the height of the footrest 47. A pair of transversely extending heel engaging bars 46 for engaging one or both heels of a subject during some stretching exercises are mounted on the base 11 and extend on respective opposite sides of the main support track 5.

A platform carrier 50 slidably carries the forward foot platform 20 on the forward support track 12. The platform carrier 50 is substantially similar to the seat carrier 40. A pair of upper rollers 51 rotatable on shafts 52 in the platform carrier 50 rollably engage and bear downwardly on the forward support track 12, while a lower roller 53 rotatably carried on a shaft 54 in the platform carrier 50 rollably engages and bears upwardly on the forward support track 12 for slidably mounting the forward foot platform 20 on the forward support track 12. An abutment means comprising an abutment bracket 55 is provided on the forward foot platform 20 for abutting the heels of the feet of a subject for retaining the feet on the forward foot platform 20 during stretching exercises.

The forward hand grips 25 are carried on corresponding upstanding members 58 which in turn extend upwardly from a pivot shaft 59 which is pivotally carried in pivot housings 60 mounted on the forward support 9. The pivot shaft 59 extends through the forward support 9. The pivot shaft 59 defines a transversely extending pivot axis about which the respective upstanding members 58 are pivotal for pivoting the forward hand grips 25 towards and away from the seat 18. A forward hand grip

locking means comprising a locking pin 62 is slidably carried in a mounting bracket 63 mounted on one of the upstanding members 58 for co-operating with a plurality of slots 64 in a plate member 65 mounted on one of the pivot housings 60 for selectively securing the upstanding members 58 in any one of a plurality of angular orientations for in turn selectively positioning the forward hand grips 25 in any one of a plurality of desired positions relative to the seat 18 during stretching exercises. For convenience the locking pin 62 and the plate member 65 are not illustrated in all the views.

A first rear hand grip locking means comprising a first locking pin 70 is slidable in a bore 71 through the pivot bracket 28 for engaging a pivot shaft 68 of the first rear hand grip 26 for selectively securing the first rear hand grip 28 in any one of a plurality of angular positions. A second hand grip locking means comprising a second locking pin 72 co-operates with the pivot mounting bracket 30 for locking the second lower hand grips 29 in desired spaced apart positions relative to each other.

A pivot housing 74 located within a casing 73 is mounted on the rear support track 15 and extends on respective opposite sides thereof for pivotally carrying the pivot shafts 23 from which the rear foot engaging members 21 depend. A resilient biasing means, namely, a pair of torsion springs 75 located in the pivot housing 74 and extending around the corresponding pivot shafts 23 co-operates with the pivot housing 74 and the pivot shafts 23 for resiliently biasing the rear foot engaging members 21 in the direction of the arrow A towards the seat 18. A pair of locking pins 76 extending through a bore 77 in the pivot housing 74 engage the corresponding pivot shafts 23 for selectively locking the pivot shafts 23 in one or more angular positions for in turn selectively locking the rear foot engaging members 21 in one or more selective angular positions about the pivot shafts 23. Abutment means, namely, abutment bracket 79 are provided on the rear foot engaging members 21 for engaging the respective heels or toes of the subject for supporting the heels or toes on the rear foot engaging members 21 during stretching exercises.

A forward carrier means, namely, a forward carrier bracket 80 is mounted on the forward support track 12 for carrying a display board on which one or more

stretching exercise regimes may be illustrated for the assistance of the subject.

In use, the apparatus 1 is suitable for facilitating the performance of many different types of stretching exercises by a subject for stretching the muscles in the limbs of the subject, for example, arm and leg muscles, as well as for stretching the various muscles in the torso. By sitting in the seat 18 and gripping one or more of the forward hand grips 25, the first and second rear hand grips 26,27 and 29, and/or engaging one or both the feet on the forward foot platform 20 and/or the rear foot engaging members 21, virtually all stretching exercises which are required for stretching the muscles and tissue of the legs, arms and torso can be carried out.

The apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for facilitating the performance of stretching exercises for stretching the following muscle groups: (a) Quadriceps femoris muscle group, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastos medialis, also the ilio psoas.

(b) Leg adductors and inward hip rotation.

(c) Variation on (2), progression, due to lower hand grip. Slight assistance is applied at about the knee area downward for greater stretch.

(d) Shoulder girdle stretch including mid and upper back supraspinatus, infra spinatus, terras minor, subscapularis, elbow flexors, brachialis, brachioradialis.

(e) mid to lower back stretch, applying inter abdominal pressure to improve back stretch.

(f) Lower back due to increased hip flex position.

(g) Total hamstring isolated.

(h) Latissimus dorsi stretch, also posterior deltoid and serratus stretch.

(i) Pectoralis major and minor also anterior deltoid.

Medial deltoid, shoulder girdle any areas involving rotation of the shoulder blade (not shown on diagram) (k) Chest-peck major only, biceps and forearm flexer (with inward grip) (I) Triceps (m) Advanced triceps

(n) Straight stretch of leg/calf (gastrocenemius, soleus and achilles tendon).

(o) Soleus and achilles tendon isolated.

(p) Total back gluteal stretch also some hamstring.

(q) Adductor stretch (ITB band) iliotibial band.

Use of the apparatus 1 for carrying out exercises for stretching the above muscle groups will be apparent to those skilled in the art. However, Figs. 5 to 16 illustrate a subject undertaking stretching exercises for exercising some of the above muscle groups.

Fig. 5 illustrates the subject performing a hamstring stretch of the right leg on the apparatus 1. The subject sits on the seat 18 with the seat facing forwardly and places the right foot on the forward platform 20. The other foot is placed on the ground. The subject grips the forward hand grips 25, and urges the seat and him or herself forwardly along the main track 5 thus urging the forward foot platform 20 upwardly along the forward track 12. This posture is maintained by the subject depending on the level of stretching to which the hamstring is to be subjected. The subject then urges the seat 18 rearwardly along the main track 5, thus lowering the forward foot platform 20 on the forward track 12. The hamstring stretching exercise may then be repeated by the subject urging the seat 18 forwardly and rearwardly along the main track 5, and in turn the forward foot platform 20 upwardly and downwarly on the forward track 12. This exercise is repeated depending on the amount of hamstring stretching is required. The hamstring of the left leg may then be stretched by switching the feet from the foot platform 20 to the ground, and vice versa, and proceeding as described above.

Fig. 6 illustrates the subject performing a leg adductors stretching exercise. The subject sits on the seat 18 facing forwardly with his or her feet placed together with the soles of the feet facing each other on the stationary foot platform 22. The upstanding members 58 are gripped by the hands just below the hand grips 25 and the subject pulls his or her body, together with the seat 18 forwardly.

Fig. 7 illustrates a triceps extension stretching exercise. In this exercise the subject

is seated on the seat 18 with the seat 18 facing forwardly. The subject places his or her two feet on the ground, and grips one of the forward hand grips 25 with the left hand and one of the upper second rear hand grip 27 with the right hand. The body is kept in an upright position and the subject pulls forward on the forward hand grip 25 thereby stretching the triceps extension. By switching hands so that the right hand grips the other forward hand grip 25 to the left hand grips the upper second rear hand grip 27 the other triceps extension muscle is exercised. Rotation of the body by allowing the seat 18 to swivel further enhances this exercise.

Fig. 8 illustrates a stretching exercise for the pectoralis muscle. The feet are placed on the ground, and both arms are extended rearwardly and the two hands grip the lower second rear hand grips 29. The subject urges him or herself forwardly on the seat 18 along the main track 5.

Fig. 9 illustrates an exercise for stretching the latissimus dorsi muscle. With the seat 18 facing sidewardly, the first rear hand grip 26 is pivoted into a desired position and locked therein by the locking pin 70. The subject then grips the first rear hand grip 26 with the left hand and the upper second rear hand grip 27 and urges him or herself forward on the seat 18 along the track thereby stretching the latissimus dorsi muscle. The subject by swivelling the seat 18 through 180° to face outwardly from the opposite side of the main track 5 can repeat the exercise with the hands switched between the first rear hand grip 26 and the upper second rear hand grip 27.

Fig. 10 illustrates a medial deltoid muscle stretch exercise in this exercise the subject maintains the same position as illustrated in Fig. 9 but instead of stretching the right arm over the head to grip the upper second rear hand grip 27 the subject extends the right arm across his or her chest. By urging the seat 18 forwardly along the main track 5 the stretching of the medial deltoid muscle is increased, and the shoulder girdle and the S. I. T. S. muscle groups are also stretched. Similarly, the seat 18 may be swivelled through 180° for carrying out the stretch on the other side of the body, with the hands switched between the hand grips 26 and 27.

Fig. 11 illustrates a gastrocenemius stretch or upper calf muscle stretch of the right

leg of the subject. In this stretch the locking pin 76 of the appropriate rear foot engaging member 21 is released for facilitating free pivotal movement of that rear foot engaging member 21. The subject seated on the seat 18 with the seat 18 facing rearwardly places the right foot on the corresponding rear foot engaging member 21.

The subject grips the first rear hand grip 26 and with the knee kept straight downward pressure is applied to the heel for pivoting the rear foot engaging member 21 against the resilient urging force of the spring 75. The upper calf muscle of the left leg is similarly stretched on the other of the two rear foot engaging members 21.

Fig. 12 illustrates a lower calf muscle stretching exercise of the right leg of the subject isolating and stretching the soleus and achilles tendon area. In this exercise, the subject sits on the seat 18 with the seat 18 rearwardly facing, and operates the locking pin 76 for locking the appropriate rear foot engaging member 21 in the position illustrated in Fig. 12. The subject places his or her right foot on the corresponding rear foot engaging member 21, grip the first rear hand grip 26 with both hands, and urges his or herself forwardly on the seat 18 along the main track 5.

Fig. 13 illustrates the subject performing an upper back stretch exercise. The subject sits in the seat 18 with the seat 18 facing rearwardly. The locking pins 76 are operated for locking the rear foot engaging members 21 in the position illustrated in Fig. 13. The subject places his or her feet on the respective rear foot engaging members 21. The subject grips the first rear hand grip 26 and with his head bowed downwardly urges his or her body rearwardly, and in turn the seat 18 rearwardly along the main support track 5 for thus stretching the upper back muscles.

Fig. 14 illustrates a subject performing a lower back stretch exercise. The subject adopts a substantially similar posture for carrying out this stretch exercise as the posture adopted in Fig. 13, with the exception that instead of gripping the first rear hand grip 26, the subject grips the upper portion of the respective foot engaging members 21 by hand as illustrated in Fig. 14. This, thus, causes the subject to bend the lower back forward. The subject urges his or her body and in turn the seat 18 rearwardly along the main support track 5 for thus stretching the lower back muscles. By tilting the seat 18 rearwardly, in other words by tilting the seat 18 so that

the front of the seat portion 35 is raised relative to the back of the seat portion 35, stretching of the lower back muscles is increased.

Fig. 15 illustrates a stretch exercise for the hip flexor muscle. In this exercise the subject stands with the left foot on the ground, grips one of the forward hand grips 25 with the left hand and the top of the backrest 36 of the seat 18 with the right hand.

The locking pin 76 is operated so that the appropriate rear foot engaging member 21 is free to pivot, and with the toe of the right foot facing downwardly the right foot is placed on the rear foot engaging member 21. Pressure is applied by the ball of the right foot to the rear foot engaging member 21 for urging the rear foot engaging member against the resilience of the torsion spring 75.

The subject moves to the other side of the apparatus 1 for further stretching the hip flexor by adopting a similar stance but with the hand switched and the feet switched.

Fig. 16 illustrates a stretch exercise for the quadriceps or front of thigh stretch of the left leg of the subject. In this exercise the upstanding members 58 of the forward hand grips 25 are locked in a substantially vertical position. The seat 18 is swivelled to face rearwardly. The subject stands with the right foot on the ground to one side of the apparatus 1 and gripping the respective forward hand grips 25. The height of the foot support 47 is adjusted along the track 48 on the rear of the backrest 36. The left foot is raised and placed in the foot support 47. The hips are dropped until the stretch is felt in the front of the thigh of the leg on the ground. The front thigh of the right leg is stretched by moving to the other side of the apparatus 1, and switching the feet between the ground and the foot support 47.