Stretch-assisting platform

Abstract

A stretch-assisting device, adapted for mounting in a vertical orientation on a door, wall or analogous vertical substrate, features an upper framework portion and a lower framework portion, coupled together. Each framework portion consists essentially of hollow rigid tubing arranged in a loop shape, with attached metal rings which project horizontally. Through each plurality of metal rings, an elastic cord is threaded, and joined to form a loop. Once the device is mounted on the substrate, a person can rest a body portion, such as a heel or elbow, on a selected segment of the elastic cord, and begin to stretch a muscle or tendon associated with the body portion. Since the cord is somewhat yielding, triggering of the myotatic reflex is avoided, or at least delayed, thereby facilitating completion of a stretch. A user can also secure an audiovisual playback device adjacent the device, in order to inform the user during stretching.

1 . A platform for personal stretching, comprising
 a framework ( 100 , 200 ) adapted for mounting on a vertically oriented planar substrate;   at least one plurality of rigid retaining rings ( 101 - 106 ,  201 - 206 ), arranged on said framework in a fixed predetermined configuration, spaced apart from each other, and adapted to each extend orthogonally with respect to said framework; and   at least one resilient cord ( 150 , 250 ) having a predetermined untensioned length, threaded through a respective plurality of the rigid retaining rings, thereby defining, between each two adjacent retaining rings, a segment of said resilient cord ( 150 , 250 ) adapted to resiliently support engagement with a body part of a stretching person.   
     
     
         2 . The platform of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said at least one resilient cord ( 150 ,  250 ) is a bungee cord having a Young's modulus of elasticity in a range between 500 kPa and 1200 kPa.   
     
     
         3 . The platform of  claim 2 , wherein two resilient cords are provided, namely
 a first resilient cord ( 150 ) threaded through an upper plurality of retaining rings ( 101 - 106 ), and   a second resilient cord ( 250 ) threaded through a lower plurality of retaining rings ( 201 - 206 );   said first and second cords being vertically spaced from each other by at least 8 centimeters.   
     
     
         4 . The platform of  claim 1 , wherein each plurality of retaining rings includes at least 6 rings, arranged with 2 central rings ( 101 , 104 ) vertically aligned with each other, 2 left rings ( 105 , 106 ) arranged on a left side and 2 right rings ( 102 , 103 ) arranged on a right side, said central rings being vertically offset with respect to said left and right rings, thereby causing segments of said resilient cord which pass from said central rings to said left or right rings to assume respective slanted paths. 
     
     
         5 . The platform of  claim 1 , further comprising
 an upper pair of C-clamps ( 1 , 2 ) connected to a top of said frame and adapted to engage around a top end of said planar substrate, and   a lower pair of C-clamps ( 3 , 4 ) connected to a bottom of said frame and adapted to engage around a bottom end of said planar substrate.   
     
     
         6 . The platform of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a plurality of mounting screws ( 170 ,  180 ), adapted to pass through said frame and to secure said frame onto said planar substrate, thereby minimizing any relative motion of said frame and substrate as stretching operations are performed by a user of said platform.   
     
     
         7 . The platform of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a tablet screen holder ( 300 ) suspended from said frame ( 100 ), arranged within a periphery defined by said at least one resilient cord ( 150 ).   
     
     
         8 . The platform of  claim 7 , further comprising
 hook-and-eyelet material pads placed between said screen holder and a vertical substrate, in order to removably secure the screen holder.   
     
     
         9 . A method of stretching muscles of a person with the assistance of the platform of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 engaging a first limb of the body with a first resilient element of the platform,   resting a second limb of the body on a second resilient element of the platform, and   displacing the torso along a vector which results in application of tension between opposing end portions of a muscle sought to be stretched.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 ,
 wherein said first limb is a hand,   said second limb is a leg, and   said muscle to be stretched is a hamstring muscle.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said displacing step comprises rotating the torso from an upright position to an inclined position near the leg resting on said second resilient element. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein muscle to be stretched is a glute muscle, and said displacing step comprises leaning the torso from an upright position to an inclined position near said platform. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said engaging step comprises using a hand to grasp a resilient cord within said upper platform portion.