Stretching bar

Abstract

A stretching bar that can be used for rehabilitation, medical treatment and fitness. The stretching machine is comprised of a stretching bar and, optionally, a base. The stretching bar allows the user to stretch while in a seated or standing position. The stretching bar is preferably constructed in a telescoping fashion with a plurality of nesting tubes which extend from one or both ends of the outer tube. The stretching bar further includes a means for attaching a handle mechanism to the bar. The attachment means is preferably a port which accepts and retains the handle. The handle may also be mounted such that it rotates or may be slidably mounted. The telescoping stretching bar preferably uses a series of telescoping tubes to achieve a satisfactory length when being used in the extended configuration, but which may be collapsed when not in use to enhance portability.

1 . A stretching bar, comprising: 
 at least one tubular column;    a handle member; and    an attachment means for attaching the handle member to the tubular column.    
   
   
       2 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the attachment means attaches the handle member to the tubular column in a releasable fashion.  
   
   
       3 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the attachment means comprises: 
 the tubular member including an attachment port; and    the handle member including an attachment coupling to mate with the attachment port.    
   
   
       4 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the attachment means attaches the handle member to the tubular column such that the handle member may rotate during use.  
   
   
       5 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 1  comprising an outer tubular column and a first inner tubular column wherein the first inner tubular column is capable of sliding within the outer tubular column.  
   
   
       6 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 5  further comprising a locking means for releasably locking the first inner tubular column at a desired location along the length of the outer tubular column.  
   
   
       7 . The stretching bar of  claim 5  further comprising a second inner tubular column wherein the second inner tubular column is capable of sliding within the outer tubular column.  
   
   
       8 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the first and second inner tubular columns extend from opposite ends of the outer tubular column.  
   
   
       9 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 8  further comprising a first locking means for releasably locking the first inner tubular column at a desired location along the length of the outer tubular column and a second locking means for releasably locking the second inner tubular column at a desired location along the length of the outer tubular column.  
   
   
       10 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the second inner tubular column is capable of sliding within the first inner tubular column and the first and second inner tubular columns extend from the same end of the outer tubular column.  
   
   
       11 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 10  further comprising a first locking means for releasably locking the first inner tubular column at a desired location along the length of the outer tubular column and a second locking means for releasably locking the second inner tubular column at a desired location along the length of the first inner tubular column.  
   
   
       12 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the attachment means for attaching the handle member to the tubular column is a sliding carriage.  
   
   
       13 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the handle member is an integral element of the sliding carriage.  
   
   
       14 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the sliding carriage includes an attachment port and the handle member includes an attachment coupling to mate with the attachment port in a releasable fashion.  
   
   
       15 . The stretching bar as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a base member; and    a base attachment means for attaching the stretching bar to the base member.