# US 9,517,173 B1 · Stretching belt for stretching of the spine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,173 B1 - Document ID: US9517173B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/792,488 - Filed: 2015-07-06 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-06 - Applicants: Tom Langmacher - Inventors: Tom Langmacher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517173B1 ## CPC - A61H 1/0218: {Drawing-out devices} - A61H 1/0229: {by reducing gravity forces normally applied to the body, e.g. by lifting or hanging the body or part of it (suspension devices for supporting the patient in upright walking or standing position A61H3/008)} - A61H 1/0292: {for the spinal column (A61H1/0218 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/4007: {to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest} - A63B 23/0238: {Spinal column (for the neck A63B23/025)} - A61H 2201/1269: Passive exercise driven by movement of healthy limbs - A61H 2201/1284: using own weight - A61H 2201/1619: Thorax - A61H 2201/1621: Holding means therefor - A61H 2201/1652: Harness - A61H 2203/0487: upright - A63B 1/00: Horizontal bars - A63B 21/00181: {comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising} - A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands} - A63B 21/068: using user's body weight - A63B 21/4039: {contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support (arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033)} - A63B 23/03525: {Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle (A63B21/0724 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/03558: {Compound apparatus having multiple stations allowing an user to exercise different limbs} - A63B 23/1218: {Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement} - A63B 69/0059: {worn by the user} - A63B 2023/006: {for stretching exercises} - A63B 2208/029: upright - A63B 2209/02: with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres - 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) - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a stretching device for stretching and aligning a user's back. The stretching device may include a belt configured to wrap around the user's back and under the user's armpits and a first ring attached to a first end of the belt and a second ring attached to a second end of the belt, wherein the first ring and the second ring may engage with a hook such that the device may hang from a support system, using gravity to stretch and align the user's back. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A stretching device for stretching and aligning a user's back, the stretching device comprising: a belt configured to wrap around the user's back and under the user's armpits, the belt comprising a first end, a central portion, and a second end; and a first ring attached to the first end of the belt and a second ring attached to the second end of the belt, wherein: the first ring and the second ring are configured to engage with a hook; and the hook is configured to engage with a support system such that the user is suspended by the belt, using gravity to stretch and align the spine; the belt, when laid flat, has a planar rounded W-shape such that the first end and the second end curve upwards from the central portion; and when the stretching device is in use, the belt curves downward from the central portion creating an allowance and comfortable fit for the user's armpits. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The stretching device of claim 1, wherein the belt has a layered construction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The stretching device of claim 2, wherein the layered construction comprises, in order: an inner gripping material layer, wherein the inner gripping material layer is defined as a layer that is positioned adjacent to the user's body; a foam material layer; a webbing material layer; and an outer layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The stretching device of claim 3, wherein an adhesive layer is positioned between each adjacent layer to hold the layered construction together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The stretching device of claim 3, wherein: the inner gripping material layer comprises a neoprene gripping material; the foam material layer comprises a neoprene foam material; and the webbing material layer comprises a polyester webbing material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The stretching device of claim 1, further comprising: a first sleeve positioned over the first ring, wherein the first ring extends through an orifice in the first sleeve; and a second sleeve positioned over the second ring, wherein the second ring extends through an orifice in the second sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The stretching device of claim 1, wherein, when in use, the shape of the belt is configured to hold the user and maintain a natural curvature of the user's spine. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The stretching device of claim 1, wherein: the belt, when laid flat, has a top edge and a bottom edge; the bottom edge comprises a smooth curve; and the top edge comprises a curve with a bump in the central portion, defining the allowance for each of the user's armpits. ### Claim 9 A stretching device for stretching and aligning a user's back, the stretching device comprising: a layered belt configured to wrap around the user's back and under the user's armpits, the layered belt comprising a first end, a central portion, and a second end; a first ring attached to the first end of the layered belt and a second ring attached to the second end of the layered belt; and an S-hook configured to engage with the first ring and the second ring, wherein: the S-hook is configured to engage with a bar such that the user is suspended by the layered belt, using gravity to stretch and align the user's spine; the layered belt, when laid flat, has a planar rounded W-shape; and when the stretching device is in use, the layered belt curves downward from the central portion creating an allowance and comfortable fit for the user's armpits. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The stretching device of claim 9, wherein the layered belt comprises, in order: an inner neoprene gripping material layer, wherein the inner neoprene gripping material layer is defined as a layer being positioned against the user's body; a neoprene foam material layer; and a polyester webbing material layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The stretching device of claim 9, wherein the central portion of the layered belt is configured to align with a central portion of the user's back. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The stretching device of claim 9, wherein the layered belt is configured to wrap around a thoracic portion of the user's back. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The stretching device of claim 9, wherein, when in use, the shape of the layered belt is configured to hold the user and maintain a natural curvature of the user's spine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The stretching device of claim 9, wherein: the layered belt, when laid flat, has a top edge and a bottom edge; the bottom edge comprises a smooth curve; and the top edge comprises a curve with a bump in the central portion, defining the allowance for each of the user's armpits.