# US 10,478,662 B2 · Stretching apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,662 B2 - Document ID: US10478662B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/450,209 - Filed: 2017-03-06 - Published: 2017-09-14 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-08 - Applicants: Joshua Loren Davis - Inventors: Joshua Loren Davis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478662B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/4043: {Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance (A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence)} - A61H 1/0237: {for the lower limbs} - A63B 21/4013: {to the ankle} - A61H 2201/0119: Support for the device - A61H 2201/0126: on a wall - A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions - A61H 2201/1253: driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven - A61H 2201/1635: Hand or arm, e.g. handle - A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal - A61H 2201/1642: Holding means therefor - A61H 2203/0437: with stretched legs, like in a bed - A61H 2203/0456: Supine - A63B 2023/006: {for stretching exercises} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A stretching apparatus for use during a stretching exercise includes a strap and a ratchet device. The strap is configured to attach to a limb of a user. The strap extends through the ratchet device and the ratchet device controls tension in the strap. The ratchet device is positionable between a ratcheting position and a release position. The ratcheting position prevents movement of the strap in a first direction and allows movement of the strap in a second direction. The release position allows movement of the strap in the first direction. The stretching apparatus also includes a remote trigger connected to the ratchet device to move the ratchet device between the ratcheting position and the release position. The stretching apparatus removably connects to support structures and is adjustable between different positions for different stretching exercises. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stretching apparatus for use during a stretching exercise, the stretching apparatus comprising: a strap configured to attach to a limb of a user; a ratchet device for controlling tension in the strap, the strap extending through the ratchet device, the ratchet device being positionable between a ratcheting position and a release position, wherein the ratcheting position prevents movement of the strap in a first direction and allows movement of the strap in a second direction, and wherein the release position allows movement of the strap in the first direction; a remote trigger connected to the ratchet device to move the ratchet device between the ratcheting position and the release position; and a flexible line connecting the remote trigger to the ratchet device, wherein the remote trigger is configured to be held by the user during the stretching exercise. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stretching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap includes a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to attach to the limb of the user, the second end being configured to be grasped by the user, wherein the strap is arranged to extend through the ratchet device such that the first end is pulled closer to the ratchet device by pulling on the second end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The stretching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible line comprises a tension wire that is displaced to move the ratchet device between the ratcheting position and the release position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The stretching apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ratchet device includes a biasing device to bias the ratchet device towards the ratcheting position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The stretching apparatus of claim 3, wherein the remote trigger includes a lever connected to the flexible line and arranged to displace the tension wire. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The stretching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mount arranged to connect to the ratchet device and support the ratchet device during the stretching exercise. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The stretching apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a clamp configured to attach to the mount, wherein the clamp is configured to secure the ratchet device to a bar such that the bar supports the ratchet device during the stretching exercise. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The stretching apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a track arranged to receive the mount, the mount being slidable along the track to adjust the position of the ratchet device relative to the track such that the ratchet device is positionable in a first position and a second position, wherein the first position allows the stretching apparatus to be used for a first stretching exercise and the second position allows the stretching apparatus to be used for a second stretching exercise. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The stretching apparatus of claim 8, wherein the track includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion such that the mount may be moved in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The stretching apparatus of claim 9, wherein the track includes a u-shaped rail defining a channel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The stretching apparatus of claim 10, wherein the rail defines a plurality of openings spaced along the track for securing the ratchet device in different positions. ### Claim 12 A stretching apparatus for use during a stretching exercise, the stretching apparatus comprising: an elastic strap configured to attach to a limb of a user; a ratchet device for controlling tension in the strap, the strap extending through the ratchet device; a mount arranged to connect to the ratchet device and support the ratchet device during the stretching exercise; a track arranged to receive the mount and connect to a surface to support the ratchet device during the stretching exercise, the mount being slidable along the track to adjust the position of the ratchet device relative to the track such that the ratchet device is positionable in a first position and a second position, wherein the track includes a u-shaped rail defining a channel; and a clamp, wherein the clamp is configured to mount the ratchet device to a structure such that the structure supports the ratchet device during the stretching exercise. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The stretching apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rail defines a plurality of openings spaced along the track for securing the ratchet device in different positions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The stretching apparatus of claim 12, wherein the track includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion such that the mount may be moved in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The stretching apparatus of claim 12 further comprising: a second strap configured to attach to a second limb of the user; a second ratchet device for controlling tension in the second strap, the strap extending through the ratchet device; a second mount arranged to connect to the ratchet device and support the ratchet device during the stretching exercise; and a second track arranged to receive the mount, the mount being slidable along the track to adjust the position of the ratchet device relative to the track such that the ratchet device is positionable in a first position and a second position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The stretching apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the first track and the second track includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the first track and the second track arranged to mount to the wall such that the horizontal portions are aligned. ### Claim 17 A method of assembling a stretching apparatus for use during a stretching exercise, the method comprising: connecting a ratchet device to a mount, wherein a strap extends through the ratchet device such that the ratchet device controls tension in the strap, the strap including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to attach to a limb of a user, the second end configured to be grasped by the user; connecting a track to a wall, wherein the track is arranged to receive the mount; movably connecting the mount to the track, the mount being slidable along the track to adjust the position of the ratchet device relative to the track such that the ratchet device is positionable in a first position and a second position; moving the mount to the first position; and securing the mount in the first position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising moving the mount to the second position and securing the mount in the second position.