Muscle stretching and strengthening device

Abstract

A muscle stretching and strengthening device can include a height-adjustable vertical member, a handlebar connected to a first end of the vertical member, a base, and a connector that indirectly connects a second end of the vertical member to the base. The connector includes a back range of motion limiter and a front range of motion limiter that can be defined by a plurality of matching pairs of holes that are in spatial alignment with each other. Pins can be inserted through any of the matching pairs of holes that prevent the vertical member and the handlebar from arcing forwards and backwards beyond the pins. A user can stretch and strengthen muscles in a seated position by placing their feet on the base, grasping the handlebar and leaning forward and then back; or by using the device to transition from a seated to standing position and back.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A muscle stretching and strengthening device comprising:
 a height-adjustable vertical member;   a handlebar connected to a first end of the vertical member;   a base; and   a connector, wherein the connector indirectly connects a second end of the vertical member to the base, wherein the connector comprises:
 a back range of motion limiter; and 
 a front range of motion limiter, 
   wherein the vertical member and the handlebar arcs forwards and backwards between the back range of motion limiter and the front range of motion limiter to stretch and strengthen the muscles.   
     
     
         2 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member comprises:
 a first vertical segment comprising a first end and a second end; and   a second vertical segment comprising a first end and a second end.   
     
     
         3 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical member is telescoping, wherein the second vertical segment is hollow, wherein the second end of the first vertical segment is insertable into the first end of the second vertical segment, and wherein the first vertical segment is movable up and down within the second vertical segment. 
     
     
         4 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a locking mechanism that maintains a length of the vertical member at a desired height after adjustment. 
     
     
         5 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of holes that penetrate from an outside through to an inside of the second vertical segment and a depressible locking protrusion extending from an outside of the first vertical segment, wherein the depressible locking protrusion has dimensions such that the depressible locking protrusion fits within any one of the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         6 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism is a tension screw lock located at the first end of the second vertical segment. 
     
     
         7 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the second vertical segment is indirectly connected to a central location of the base via the connector. 
     
     
         8 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 2 , wherein a middle portion of the handlebar is connected to the first end of the first vertical segment. 
     
     
         9 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handlebar does not tilt or rotate independently around a longitudinal axis of the vertical member. 
     
     
         10 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handlebar comprises a first end, a middle portion, and a second end, and wherein the handlebar is straight along a line extending from the first end, through the middle portion, to the second end. 
     
     
         11 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handlebar comprises a first end, a middle portion, and a second end, wherein the handlebar comprises a straight middle portion, and wherein the first end and the second end extend from the middle portion at an angle. 
     
     
         12 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handlebar further comprises a padding, a slip-resistant material, or sanding or etching located partially or wholly around the handlebar. 
     
     
         13 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a first side and a second side. 
     
     
         14 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first side and the second side are rotatable around the base, and wherein rotation of the first side and the second side causes the vertical member and the handlebar to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the vertical member in relation to a plane of the base. 
     
     
         15 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 13 , wherein both of the first side and the second side comprise one or more matching pairs of holes defining the back range of motion limiter and the front range of motion limiter. 
     
     
         16 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first pin, wherein the first pin is inserted through the one or more matching pairs of holes defining the back range of motion limiter; and   a second pin, wherein the second pin is inserted through the one or more matching pairs of holes defining the front range of motion limiter,   wherein the first pin and the second pin create a physical stop for the vertical member from arcing beyond the first pin and the second pin.   
     
     
         17 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 16 , wherein a distance is created between the first pin and the second pin, wherein the vertical member and the handlebar arc within the distance, and wherein the distance is adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 16 , wherein the first pin and the second pin are a clevis pin, and wherein a second end of the first pin and the second pin comprise a hole that traverses entirely through the second end of the first pin and the second pin. 
     
     
         19 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a cotter pin or a spring cotter pin that is insertable through the hole to prevent the first pin and the second pin from undesirably slipping out of the matching pair of holes during use. 
     
     
         20 . The muscle stretching and strengthening device according to  claim 1 , wherein the back range of motion limiter is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material and comprises: a straight portion that extends up from a top side of the base having a semi-circle shape; two curvature pieces that extend away from the straight portion to receive and secure the vertical member within the straight portion; and an angled portion that extends back and away from the straight portion.