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US 5,147,266 AGranted
Leg stretching machine
OwnerRoger W. Ricardinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stretching machine for performing the Chinese split includes a base, two generally horizontal tracks extending colinearly from the base, a foot platform sliding on each track, and a vertical column with handles. The user stands on the platforms, which travel outward from the base while the split is performed, and maintains balance by holding the handles. The platforms are moved along the tracks by cables fixed to either side of each platform. The cables run over pulleys to a drum mounted in the column, which can be turned by a crank. A novel aspect is a slight angular inclination between the tracks, allowing a deeper split.
Claims14
A stretching machine for performing splits comprising:
- a base, for resting on a floor, including an end, a right side, and a left side, a right hinge mounted upon the right side, a left hinge mounted upon the left side, the right hinge having an axis parallel to the axis of the left hinge and to the floor when the base is resting upon the floor, the axis of the right hinge and the axis of the left hinge equidistant from the floor;
- a straight right track attached to the right hinge, whereby the right track may rotate from the resting position on the floor to an elevated storage position;
- a straight left track attached to the left hinge, whereby the left track may rotate from the resting position on the floor to the elevated storage position;
- a right foot platform slidingly engaging the right track for linear motion perpendicular to the right hinge axis;
- a left foot platform slidingly engaging the left track for linear motion perpendicular to the left hinge axis;
- an upright column fixed to the base adjacent the end of the base;
- at least one handle attached to the column for grasping by a user while the user is standing upon the platforms, straddling the base, and stretching;
- and
- displacement means, mounted upon the column for convenient control by a hand of the user, for moving the platforms along the tracks in either direction simultaneously to maintain equal separations of the right platform from the right side and the left platform from the left side, said displacement means further comprising drum means rotatably mounted on said column, said handle being operatively connected thereto for rotation thereof, and cable means wound about said drum means and connected to said platforms, for moving said platforms together when said drum means are rotated in a first direction by said handle, and for pulling said platforms apart when said drum means are rotated in a second direction, oppositely of said first direction, by said handle;
- whereby a user may employ the displacement means to controllably move into and out of a split while standing upon the platforms and straddling the base.
7 more elements
A stretching machine for performing splits comprising:
- a pair of foot platforms;
- tracking means for restraining the platforms to motion along a pair of respective lines, the lines intersecting to form an obtuse angle therebetween, the lines lying within a vertical plane, and each line inclined at a ramp angle to the horizontal;
- and
- linking means for keeping each platform at an equal distance from the intersection of the lines, said linking means further comprising rotatably mounted drum means, means for rotating said drum means, and cable means wound about said drum means and connected to said platforms, for moving said platforms together when said drum means are rotated in a first direction by said drum rotating means, and for pulling said platforms apart when said drum means are rotated in a second direction, oppositely of said first direction, by said drum rotating means;
- whereby a user standing above the intersection of the lines with one foot on each platform may do splits to greater than a straight angle.
2 more elements
A stretching machine for performing splits comprising:
- a track;
- foot platforms slidingly mounted on the track;
- a first displacement means for positively moving the platforms equal respective distances along the track toward a point midway between the platforms;
- and
- a second displacement means for positively moving the platforms equal respective distances along the track away from said point midway between the platforms, said first and second displacement means further comprising rotatably mounted drum means, means for rotating said drum means, and cable means wound about said drum means and connected to said platforms, for moving said platforms together when said drum means are rotated in a first direction by said drum rotating means, and for pulling said platforms apart when said drum means are rotated in a second direction, oppositely of said first direction, by said drum rotating means;
- whereby a split is easy to perform in a controlled manner.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.