Back stretching apparatus

Abstract

A back stretching apparatus includes an upstanding frame defining a stretching zone wherein a user can move a pair of lightly weighted hand grips between an overhead reaching position and a bent over stretched position. A light weight resistance is provided by a weight stack carried within upright frame members and interconnected by an internal pulley and cable system. A stabilization bar is disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and provides the user a target for the stretching and stabilization of the user in the stretched position. The light weight resistance permits the user to stretch their back muscles without exertion to limit the likelihood of back injury.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A back stretching apparatus, comprising:
 an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation, a cross member interconnecting a top end of the left and the right upright frame member, and a left and a right extension projecting forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right upright frame member;   a user selectable weight stack carried within the left and the right upright frame member;   a plurality of pulleys disposed within the cross member;   a pulley carried within each of the left and the right extension; and   a cable interconnecting the user selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions, wherein the cable is supported by the plurality of pulleys and configured to extend and retract the hand grips in response to a user stretching regimen.   
     
     
         2 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element.   
     
     
         3 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a left stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnecting the left upright frame member and the stabilization bar; and   a right stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnecting the right upright frame member and the stabilization bar.   
     
     
         4 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the left and the right upright frame members, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection arm further comprise:
 a plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements;   a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, wherein the plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position.   
     
     
         5 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a weight traversal slot defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right upright frame members;   a weight selection aperture defined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack; and   a weight selection pin configured to be received through the slot and the weight selection aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position to a position adjacent the stabilization bar. 
     
     
         7 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a stabilization bar elevation slot defined in a front face of the left and the right upright frame members, wherein an end coupling of the left and the right stabilization bar is received within the stabilization bar elevation slot.   
     
     
         8 . A back stretching apparatus, comprising:
 an upstanding frame having a left and a right upright frame member disposed in a spaced apart relation, a cross member interconnecting a top end of the left and the right upright frame member, and a left and a right extension projecting forwardly from the cross member in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right upright frame member;   a stabilization bar horizontally disposed forwardly of the upright frame members and supported by a left and a right stabilization bar support element;   a stabilization bar projection arm adjustably interconnecting the left and the right upright frame member and the stabilization bar, wherein the upstanding frame and the stabilization bar define a stretching zone;   a cable interconnecting a user selectable weight stack and a hand grip suspended beneath each of the left and the right extensions, wherein the cable is supported by a plurality of internal pulleys and configured to extend and retract the hand grips between an initial overhead position proximal to the left and the right extension and an extended position proximal to the stabilization bar.   
     
     
         9 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the left and the right upright frame members, the left and the right stabilization bar support elements, and the left and the right stabilization bar projection arm further comprise:
 a plurality of telescopically adjustable frame elements;   a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through a sidewall of the frame elements, wherein the plurality of adjustment apertures are configured to receive a pin to retain the plurality of telescopically frame elements in a fixed position defining the stretching zone.   
     
     
         10 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a weight traversal slot defined in an outer sidewall of a bottom element of each of the left and the right upright frame members;   a weight selection aperture defined in each of a plurality of weights in the weight stack; and   a weight selection pin configured to be received through the slot and the weight selection aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The back stretching apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the weight traversal slot has a length corresponding to a movement of the hand grip between an initial overhead position to a position adjacent the stabilization bar.