Portable stretching equipment

Abstract

A portable stretching apparatus includes a central support frame. The frame defines a top and legs extending from the top towards a relatively wider base. The legs form part of the sides of the frame. A seat is fixed on the top of the support frame. Hand grips are provided on either side of the seat. First and second support arms are pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the top of the central support frame. The first arm can be fixed in several angular orientations. The angular position of the second arm is substantially continuously variable. A control moves the angular position of the second arm while a person is on the apparatus. A restraint locks or restrains the person's foot or leg on at least one side of the frame.

1 . A portable stretching apparatus comprising:
 a central support frame, the frame defining a top and legs extending from the top towards a relatively wider base, the legs forming part of the sides of the frame;   a seat fixed on the top of the support frame which seat is arranged to be used by a person seated on the seat while seated in an upright position,   hand grips which are provided on either side of the seat which may be grasped by a person using the stretching apparatus while in a seated position;   first and second support arms pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the top of the central support frame; wherein the first arm is adapted to be fixed in a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the top of the frame; and wherein the angular position of the second arm with respect to the top of the frame is substantially continuously variable about an arc;   at least one control configured to move the angular position of the second arm while the person is seated or supine on the apparatus; and   at least one restraint configured to restrain or lock the person's foot or leg on at least one side of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second arm defines a longitudinal axis and is telescopically adjustable in length along that longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second arm defines an end element in the form of a padded end restraint which extends to one side of the longitudinal axis of the arm in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second arm. 
     
     
         4 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the padded end restraint is pivotally mounted to the end of the second arm and may be rotated about the pivot and fixed to either side of the second arm. 
     
     
         5 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a ratchet mechanism controlling the position of the second arm and wherein the control configured to move the angular position of the second arm is a lever positioned adjacent the grips at the top of the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the hand grips comprise arcuate rings and the lever is pivoted about a center of one of the arcuate rings and its position relative to the ring serves as an indicator of the position of the second arm. 
     
     
         7 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first support arm is pivotally mounted on a stub element, which projects from the top of the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first support arm comprises two parallel elongate members, each parallel elongate members being pivotally mounted to a stud member and linked by a padded crosspiece. 
     
     
         9 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the two parallel elongate members are telescopically extendible. 
     
     
         10 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the foot restraint comprises a padded bar or brace fixed to a side of the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the position of the padded bars on the sides of the frame is adjustable. 
     
     
         12 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the frame has an inverted V-shaped in use and comprises a foldable crosspiece bracing the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sides of the frame can be folded towards each other for transport or storage of the apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The stretching apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one restraint is configured to restrain or lock the person's foot or leg on both sides of the frame.