Adjustable stretch bar system for inversion table

Abstract

A stretch bar for an inversion therapy table. The stretch bar has two support bars that are connected at one end by a connecting beam and has handles at the other ends of the support bars. The handles are located above the user and enable the user to pull or push on the handles to increase or decrease the amount of inversion therapy. The support bars may be adjustable in length, such as by using a pin and hole adjustment configuration. The support bars may be connected by a second connecting beam.

Claims

1. An inversion therapy table comprising a support frame, a user inversion frame rotatably connected to the support frame, the user inversion frame comprising a backrest having a front side, a back side, a top edge, and a bottom edge, with the bottom edge being located proximate a foot support on the user inversion frame, a stretch bar connected to the back side of the backrest, the stretch bar comprising a first support bar having a first end and a second end, a first handle connected to the first end of the first support bar, a second support bar having a first end and a second end, a second handle connected to the first end of the second support bar, a connecting beam having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the first support bar is connected proximate to the first end of the connecting beam and the second end of the second support bar is connected proximate to the second end of the connecting beam such that the first support bar and second support bar are approximately parallel, the first support bar having a length that places the first handle above the top edge of the backrest, and the second support bar having a length that places the second handle above the top edge of the backrest.

2. The inversion therapy table of claim 1, wherein the first support bar and the second support bar include a length adjustment mechanism.

3. The inversion therapy table of claim 1, wherein the first support bar is comprised of a first and second tube, wherein the outer diameter of the first tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the second tube, the first tube includes at least two adjustment holes along its length, and the second tube includes an adjustment pin configured to fit within an adjustment hole.

4. The inversion therapy table of claim 1, further comprising a second connecting beam having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second connecting beam is connected to the first support bar between the first and second end of the first support bar and the second end of the second connecting beam is connected to the second support bar between the first and second end of the second support bar.

5. The inversion therapy table of claim 1, wherein the first handle is approximately perpendicular to the first support bar, and the second handle is approximately perpendicular to the second support bar.

6. The inversion therapy table of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a restraining bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The disclosed subject matter will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements; and:

(2) FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an inversion table with a stretch bar in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the stretch bar.

(4) FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a support frame of the inversion table.

(5) FIG. 4A provides a perspective view of the inversion table with a taller user.

(6) FIG. 4B provides a perspective view of the inversion table with a shorter user.

(7) FIG. 5A provides a perspective view of the inversion table with the taller user during inversion therapy.

(8) FIG. 5B provides a perspective view of the inversion table with the shorter user during inversion therapy.

(9) FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the inversion table with a user at various angles of inversion.

(10) While the disclosed subject matter is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosed subject matter to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

(12) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a stretch bar (2) for an inversion therapy table (1) having a support frame (7) and backrest (9). The backrest (9) is attached to the stretch bar (2), which in turn is rotatably connected to the support frame (7).

(13) The stretch bar (2) has two support bars (3), each having a handle (4) at the end. The support bars (3) and handles (4) are configured such that the handles (4) are located farther from a user's feet than the user's head while on the inversion table. This places the handles (4) above the user's head, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

(14) The handles (4) may be of varying shapes and sizes to provide comfort to the user's hands. The handles (4) may be attached at varying angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the support bars (3), including at a perpendicular angle.

(15) The support bars (3) may be adjustable in length by a multiple hole and adjustment pin (6) configuration, where each support bar is made of two sections that fit together. The length of the support bars (3) may be adjusted via other means determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

(16) The support bars (3) are connected at one end by a connecting beam (5). The connecting beam (5) provides additional structure and support for the inversion table (2). A second connecting beam (10) may be attached to the support bars (3) along their length to provide additional structure and support.

(17) The support frame (7) may include a restraining bar (8) configured such that it will stop the angle of inversion of the stretch bar (2). The stretch bar (2) will contact the restraining bar (8) once a maximum amount of inversion angle is reached, thereby limiting the angle that the user is inverted.

(18) FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a taller user and a shorter user, respectively, on the inversion table prior to inversion. Although not inverted, the users can apply some degree of inversion therapy by pulling on the handles (4), thereby decreasing the effect of gravity on the users' bodies.

(19) The supports bars (3) in FIG. 4A are adjusted to a longer length than the support bars (3) in FIG. 4B to accommodate the taller user shown in FIG. 4A.

(20) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the taller user and shorter user after the being inverted. The users' hands are shown grabbing the handles (4). With hands on the handles (4), the users can now push on the handles (4) to lessen the degree of stretching, or inversion therapy, on their bodies. Conversely, the users can pull on the handles (4) to increase the degree of stretching, or inversion therapy, on their bodies.

(21) FIGS. 5A and 5B also illustrate the angle of inversion being limited by the restraining bar (8). The stretch bars (2) have contacted the restraining bar (8), thus stopping the stretch bars (2) from rotating any farther relative to the support frame (7).

(22) FIG. 6 illustrates that the inversion table (1) can be set at various angle of inversion. Using the handles (4) on the stretch bars (2), the user can apply various strengths of inversion therapy by the degree that the user is inverted and the amount that the user pulls or pushes on the handles (4). For example, the user may not be able to tolerate having their body inverted to a great degree. That user could invert the table to a lesser, comfortable degree yet still achieve the desired strength of inversion therapy by pulling on the handles (4) with their hands. In another example, the user may be inverted on the table and wish to temporarily increase or decrease the degree of inversion therapy. That user can achieve this by grabbing the handles (4) with their hands and push or pull on the handles (4) to adjust the degree of inversion therapy.

(23) The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the disclosed subject matter may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.