Lock assembly for use with an inversion apparatus

A method of using a lock assembly with an inversion apparatus, the inversion apparatus having a securing assembly operatively connected to a user support, the securing assembly having a first tube portion slidably connected to a second tube portion, the second tube portion having a slot providing access to the first tube portion, the lock assembly having a ratchet plate operatively connected to the first tube portion and accessible through the slot in the second tube portion, a position lock pawl pivotally connected to the second tube portion to selectively engage the ratchet plate through the slot, and a safety lock pawl pivotally connected to the second tube portion, the user support configured and arranged to move between a loading position and an inverted position, the method comprising:

• sitting on the user support;
• pushing the first tube portion into the second tube portion in a first direction thereby causing the position lock pawl to pivot and move relative to teeth of the ratchet plate to a desired position on the ratchet plate, wherein the ratchet plate and the position lock pawl are configured and arranged to allow the first tube portion to move in the first direction and prevent the first tube portion to move in an opposite second direction;
• and
• moving the user support from the loading position into the inverted position, wherein the safety lock pawl does not engage the position lock pawl when the user support is in the loading position and is configured and arranged to pivot relative to the second tube portion as the user support moves from the loading position into the inverted position to engage the position lock pawl when the user support is in the inverted position thereby preventing the position lock pawl from disengaging the ratchet plate when the user support is in the inverted position.

An inversion apparatus, comprising:

• a user support;
• a securing assembly operatively connected to the user support, the securing assembly having a first tube portion slidably connected to a second tube portion, the second tube portion having a slot providing access to the first tube portion, the user support configured and arranged to move between a loading position and an inverted position;
• a ratchet plate operatively connected to the first tube portion and accessible through the slot in the second tube portion;
• a position lock pawl pivotally connected to the second tube portion to selectively engage the ratchet plate through the slot;
• and
• a safety lock pawl pivotally connected to the second tube portion, wherein the safety lock pawl does not engage the position lock pawl when the user support is in the loading position and is configured and arranged to pivot relative to the second tube portion as the user support moves from the loading position into the inverted position to engage the position lock pawl when the user support is in the inverted position thereby preventing the position lock pawl from disengaging the ratchet plate when the user support is in the inverted position.