초록 ▼

A device and method for stretching, toning and strengthening the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient thereby relieving pain and improving posture. Typically the patient is suffering from tension related muscle problems. The device and method are used to facilitate therapeutic t

A device and method for stretching, toning and strengthening the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient thereby relieving pain and improving posture. Typically the patient is suffering from tension related muscle problems. The device and method are used to facilitate therapeutic treatment of the muscle problems by progressively stretching the muscles and thereby relieving the muscle problems.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a base assembly and a platform mounted to the base assembly, said platform comprising a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between said first and second sections; and b. a handle

What is claimed is: 1. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a base assembly and a platform mounted to the base assembly, said platform comprising a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between said first and second sections; and b. a handlebar operatively connected to said platform assembly, wherein said platform has a surface defining a plane, and wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate below said plane. 2. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said handlebar has a first position proximate said platform and a second position distal from said platform. 3. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said handlebar is adapted for sliding movement with respect to said platform assembly. 4. The muscle stretching device of claim 3, wherein said platform comprises a surface defining a plane, and wherein said sliding movement is in a direction parallel to said plane. 5. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said platform assembly further comprises a guide assembly, and said handlebar assembly slidingly engages said guide assembly. 6. The muscle stretching device of claim 5, further comprising a sliding engagement member connected to said handlebar, wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly. 7. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said platform has a surface defining a plane, and wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate above said plane. 8. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate above and below said plane. 9. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate to a plurality of pre-selected positions with respect to said plane. 10. The muscle stretching device of claim 9, wherein one of said pre-selected positions is about 90 degrees above said plane. 11. The muscle stretching device of claim 9, wherein one of said pre-selected positions is about 40 degrees above said plane. 12. The muscle stretching device of claim 9, wherein one of said pre-selected positions is about 10 degrees below said plane. 13. The muscle stretching device of claim 1, wherein said platform assembly has a compact position and an expanded position. 14. The muscle stretching device of claim 5, wherein said guide assembly comprises a frame having a pair of sidewalls and at least one roller assembly attached to each said pair of sidewalls. 15. The muscle stretching device of claim 14, wherein each said roller assembly comprises at least one roller mounted on a roller shaft, said roller shaft having a pair of ends, wherein each said end is connected to one of said sidewalls, and wherein each said roller is rotatable about said roller shaft. 16. The muscle stretching device of claim 6, wherein said sliding engagement member further comprises a restraining piece for restraining the movement of said sliding engagement member with respect to said platform assembly. 17. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a base assembly and a platform mounted to the base assembly, said platform comprising a first section, a second section, a concave transition between said first and second sections, and a guide assembly; b. a handlebar operatively connected to said platform assembly; and c. a sliding engagement member connected to said handlebar, wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly, wherein said sliding engagement member includes a restraining piece for restraining the movement of said sliding engagement member with respect to said platform assembly, and wherein said restraining piece is a rectangular block. 18. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a base assembly and a platform mounted to the base assembly, said platform comprising a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between said first and second sections; and b. a handlebar operatively connected to said platform assembly and further comprising a handlebar restraint. 19. The muscle stretching device of claim 18, wherein said handlebar restraint comprises at least one rectangular block attached to said platform. 20. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly comprising a base assembly, a platform mounted to the base assembly, and a frame attached to said platform, said platform comprising a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between said first and second sections, said base assembly comprising a pair of legs pivotally connected to said platform and a pair of arms, each said arm having first and second arm ends; wherein said first arm end is adapted for sliding engagement along one of said legs and said second arm is pivotally connected to said frame; and b. a handlebar, operatively connected to said platform assembly. 21. The muscle stretching device of claim 20, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an angle ranging from about 0 to 20 degrees. 22. The muscle stretching device of claim 20, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an angle ranging from about 5 to 15 degrees. 23. The muscle stretching device of claim 20, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an angle ranging from about 8 to 10 degrees. 24. The muscle stretching device of claim 20, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an adjustable angle. 25. The muscle stretching device of claim 24, wherein said adjustable angle ranges from about 0 degrees to 20 degrees. 26. The muscle stretching device of claim 24, wherein said adjustable angle ranges from about 0 degrees to 15 degrees. 27. The muscle stretching device of claim 24, wherein said adjustable angle ranges from about 0 to 10 degrees. 28. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform mounted to a base, said platform having a surface defining a plane; and b. a handlebar operatively connected to said platform and adapted for sliding movement away from said platform in a direction parallel to said plane, said handlebar being adapted to rotate below said plane. 29. The muscle stretching device of claim 28, wherein said handlebar has a first position proximate said platform and a second position distal from said platform. 30. The muscles stretching device of claim 28, wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate above said plane. 31. The muscle stretching device of claim 28, wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate above and below said plane. 32. The muscle stretching device of claim 28, wherein said handlebar is adapted to rotate to a plurality of pre-selected positions with respect to said plane. 33. The muscle stretching device of claim 32, wherein one of said pre-selected positions is about 90 degrees above said plane. 34. The muscle stretching device of claim 32, wherein one of said pre-selected positions is about 40 degrees above said plane. 35. The muscle stretching device of claim 32, wherein one of said preselected positions is about 10 degrees below said plane. 36. The muscle stretching device of claim 32, wherein said plurality of pre-selected positions is three pre-selected positions. 37. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform mounted to a base, said platform having a surface defining a plane; and b. a handlebar operatively connected to said platform and adapted for sliding movement away from said platform in a direction parallel to said plane, said handlebar being adapted to rotate with respect to said plane to a plurality of pre-selected positions, wherein said plurality of pre-selected positions comprises three positions at about 10 degrees below said plane, about 40 degrees above said plane, and about 90 degrees above said plane. 38. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform mounted to a base, said platform having a surface defining a plane; b. a handlebar operatively connected to said platform and adapted for sliding movement away from said platform in a direction parallel to said plane, said handlebar being adapted to rotate with respect to said plane; and c. at least one handle bracket and an inner tube, said at least one handle bracket having first and second ends, said handlebar being attached to said first end of said handle bracket and said inner tube being attached to said second end of said handle bracket, said inner tube comprising at least one inner tube aperture. 39. The muscle stretching device of claim 38, wherein said device further comprises a sliding engagement member and a hollow outer tube attached to said sliding engagement member, said hollow outer tube having an outer tube surface with at least one aperture defined therethrough, wherein said inner tube is disposed in said hollow tube such that said at least one aperture of said inner tube is alignable with said at least one aperture of said hollow outer tube by rotating said handlebar and said bracket about said outer tube. 40. The muscle stretching device of claim 28, further comprising a guide assembly, wherein said handlebar is adapted to slidingly engage said guide assembly. 41. The muscle stretching device of claim 40, further comprising a sliding engagement member connected to said handlebar, wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly. 42. The muscle stretching device of claim 39, further comprising a housing, said bracket being secured to said housing, at least part of said outer tube being disposed within said housing such that said housing, said bracket and said handlebar rotate together about said outer tube. 43. The muscle stretching device of claim 42, wherein said device further comprises a locking member that is attached to said housing and rotatable therewith, said locking member having a locking position and a release position. 44. The muscle stretching device of claim 43, wherein in said locking position, said locking member is inserted through said at least one aperture of said inner tube and said at least one aperture of said outer tube, thereby restraining said handlebar from rotation about said outer tube. 45. The muscle stretching device of claim 44, further comprising a biasing spring adapted to bias said locking member towards said outer tube. 46. The muscle stretching device of claim 28, wherein said handlebar includes a plurality of handlebar grips. 47. The muscle stretching device of claim 46, wherein said handlebar grips comprise a foam material. 48. The muscle stretching device of claim 39, wherein said at least one aperture of said outer tube comprises a pair of apertures. 49. The muscle stretching device of claim 39, wherein said at least one aperture of said outer tube comprises three pairs of apertures. 50. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, including a platform having first and second ends, a frame, and a base assembly, wherein at least a portion of said frame is connected to said platform proximate said first end of said platform, and wherein said base assembly comprises at least a pair of legs, at least two of said legs being pivotally connected to said platform proximate said second end of said platform, said base assembly further comprising at least a pair of arms, at least two of said arms having a first arm end engaged with a corresponding one of said legs and movable along the length of said corresponding one of said legs, at least two of said arms having a second arm end pivotally connected to said frame proximate said first end of said platform; and b. a handlebar, operatively connected to said platform assembly proximate said first end of said platform. 51. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an angle ranging from about 0 to 20 degrees. 52. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an angle ranging from about 5 to 15 degrees. 53. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an angle ranging from about 8 to 10 degrees. 54. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an adjustable angle ranging from about 0 to 20 degrees. 55. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an adjustable angle ranging from about 0 to 15 degrees. 56. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said platform and said pair of legs define an adjustable angle ranging from about 0 degrees to 10 degrees. 57. The muscle stretching device of claim 50 wherein said platform assembly has a compact position and an expanded position. 58. The muscle stretching device of claim 57, wherein in said expanded position, said platform and said pair of legs define an angle of about 10 degrees. 59. The muscle stretching device of claim 50, wherein said base assembly further comprises a pair of bearing carriers, each said bearing carrier corresponding to one of said legs and one of said arms; each said bearing carrier having a body with an aperture, wherein each said leg is inserted through said aperture of said corresponding bearing carrier such that each said bearing carrier is movable along each said corresponding leg. 60. The muscle stretching device of claim 59, wherein each said bearing carrier further comprises a nipple projecting therefrom, each said second arm end has an aperture defined therethrough, and each said nipple is inserted through said aperture of said corresponding arm such that each said arm is rotatable about each said corresponding nipple. 61. The muscle stretching device of claim 60, wherein said base assembly further comprises a cross-member having a pair of ends, each said end being connected to a corresponding one of said bearing carrier nipples. 62. The muscle stretching device of claim 61, wherein said frame further includes a recessed portion adapted to receive said cross-member. 63. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a platform mounted to a base assembly; b. a guide assembly connected to said platform, said guide assembly including a frame, said frame having a pair of sidewalls, said guide assembly further including at least one roller assembly attached to each said sidewall; and c. a handlebar assembly connected to said platform assembly, said handlebar assembly including an extended position and a retracted position, a handlebar and a sliding engagement member connected to said handlebar, wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly, and wherein said guide assembly further comprises a handle bar restraint. 64. The muscle stretching device of claim 63, wherein said platform has an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein said guide assembly is connected to said lower surface of said platform. 65. The muscle stretching device of claim 64, wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly between said at least one roller assembly and said lower surface of said platform. 66. The muscle stretching device of claim 63, wherein said at least one roller assembly comprises three roller assemblies. 67. The muscle stretching device of claim 63, wherein said sliding engagement member further comprises a restraining piece for restraining the movement of said sliding engagement member with respect to said platform assembly. 68. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a platform mounted to a base assembly; b. a guide assembly connected to said platform, said guide assembly including a frame, said frame having a pair of sidewalls, said guide assembly further including at least one roller assembly attached to each said sidewall; and c. a handlebar assembly connected to said platform assembly, said handlebar assembly including a handlebar and a sliding engagement member connected to said handlebar, wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly, wherein said sliding engagement member further comprises a restraining piece for restraining the movement of said sliding engagement member with respect to said platform assembly, and wherein said restraining piece comprises a rectangular block. 69. The muscle stretching device of claim 63, wherein when said handlebar assembly is in said extended position, said restraining piece abuts said handlebar restraint. 70. The muscle stretching device of claim 63, wherein said handlebar restraint comprises at least one rectangular block connected to said lower surface of said platform between said pair of sidewalls. 71. The muscle stretching device of claim 70, wherein said at least one rectangular block is two rectangular blocks. 72. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform mounted to a base, said platform having a surface defining a plane; b. a handlebar, operatively connected to said platform; and c. a means for rotating said handlebar below said plane. 73. The muscle stretching device of claim 72, wherein said means for rotating said handlebar assembly comprises a means for rotating said handlebar to a pre-selected number of positions with respect to said plane. 74. The muscle stretching device of claim 73, wherein said pre-selected number of positions is three. 75. The muscle stretching device of claim 72, further comprising a means for slidingly engaging said handlebar and said platform assembly. 76. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, said platform assembly comprising a base assembly and a platform mounted to said base; b. a handlebar, operatively connected to said platform assembly; and c. a means for slidably moving said handlebar with respect to said platform, wherein said means further comprises a handlebar restraint. 77. A muscle stretching device, comprising: a. a platform assembly, comprising a base assembly and a platform mounted to said base assembly, said platform comprising a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between said first and second sections, said platform having upper and lower surfaces; b. a guide assembly attached to said lower surface of said platform, said guide assembly comprising a frame having a pair of sidewalls and further comprising at least one roller assembly connected to said frame; c. a handlebar assembly, connected to said platform assembly and adapted for sliding movement with respect to said platform assembly, said handlebar assembly comprising: (i) a handlebar; (ii) at least one handle bracket having first and second ends, said handlebar being attached to said first end of said handle bracket; (iii) a sliding engagement member; (iv) a hollow outer tube attached to said sliding engagement member, said outer tube having a longitudinal axis and having at least one aperture defined therethrough; (v) an inner tube, disposed within said hollow outer tube and being attached to said second end of said handle bracket, said inner tube further comprising at least one aperture alignable with said at least one aperture of said outer tube; (vi) a locking member, having a locking position and a release position, wherein in said locking position, said locking member is inserted through said at least one aperture of said inner tube and said at least one aperture of said outer tube, thereby restraining said handlebar from rotation about said longitudinal axis; wherein said sliding engagement member slidingly engages said guide assembly between said pair of sidewalls and between said at least one roller assembly and said lower surface of said platform, and wherein said handlebar, said inner tube, and said locking member are rotatable about said longitudinal axis.