US5100131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-06-12
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Granted: 1992-03-31
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Expires: 2011-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus comprises a stationary seat upon which a user may sit, a backrest movably attached to the seat, and a resistance means, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic spring, movably attached to the seat and the backrest to define the force required to move the backrest relative to the seat. The user may sit either facing toward or away from the backrest and then bend either forward or backward to cause the backrest to move from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position. Higher resistances may be used to effect exercise and lower resistances may be used to effect stretching. The apparatus may be placed in a convex table-like orientation such that the user may lay face up thereon to effect stretching of the back muscles. An optional headrest increases comfort and permits the patient to exercise and stretch portions of the upper back and neck.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Fong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:12
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B23/00; A63B23/025; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0292; A63B23/02; A63B23/0233; A63B21/00; A63B21/02; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/02; A63B2208/0228; A63B2208/0233; A63B2208/0242; A63B2208/0252; A63B69/00; A63B69/0057; A63B69/0062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus, comprising: (a) a stationary frame member defining a seat; (b) a backrest frame member movably attached to said stationary frame member to be movable between a rest position and an actuated position, said rest position being generally vertical and said actuated position being generally horizontal; (c) a resistance means connected to said stationary frame member and said backrest frame member; said stationary frame member and said backrest frame member being formed to provide in combination, a substantially continuous arcuate radius for stretching the back muscles when said backrest frame member is disposed in said actuated position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus, comprising: (a) a stationary frame member defining a seat; (b) a backrest frame member movably attached to said stationary frame member to be movable between a rest position and an actuated position, said rest position being generally vertical and said actuated position being generally horizontal; (c) a resistance means connected to said stationary frame member and said backrest frame member; said stationary frame member and said backrest frame member being formed to provide in combination, a substantially continuous arcuate radius for stretching the back muscles when said backrest frame member is disposed in said actuated position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said resistance means is adjustable such that the force required to move said backrest frame member relative to said stationary frame member may be varied as desired.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said resistance means comprises a pneumatic spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said resistance means comprises a hydraulic spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising at least two foot supports connected to said stationary frame member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 5 further comprising a seat belt attached to said stationary frame member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 6 further comprising a head support attached to said frame member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said seat support is adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said seat stationary frame member and said backrest frame member define an arcuate radius between 0.5 meter and 1.5 meters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said stationary frame member and said backrest frame member define an arcuate radius of approximately 1 meter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
A back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus, comprising: (a) a first frame; (b) a seat pad attached to said first frame such that a person may sit thereon; (c) a second frame pivotally attached to said first frame, said second frame being movable between a rest position and an actuated position, said rest position being generally vertical and said actuated position being generally horizontal; (d) a backrest pad attached to said second frame; (e) a resistance means interconnecting said first and second frames; and (f) wherein said seat pad and said backrest pad form in combination a substantially continuous arcuate radius suitable for the stretching of back muscles when said movable backrest is disposed in said actuated position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
A back muscle exercising and stretching apparatus, comprising: (a) a first frame; (b) a seat pad attached to said first frame such that a person may sit thereon; (c) a second frame pivotally attached to said first frame, said second frame being movable between a rest position and an actuated position, said rest position being generally vertical and said actuated position being generally horizontal; (d) a backrest pad attached to said second frame; (e) a resistance means interconnecting said first and second frames; and (f) wherein said seat pad and said backrest pad form in combination a substantially continuous arcuate radius suitable for the stretching of back muscles when said movable backrest is disposed in said actuated position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |