LEG MUSCLE STRETCHER

Abstract

is a device for stretching the leg muscle to alleviate cramping. The leg muscle stretcher includes three parts, including a handle, a strap and a foot mat. The strap is adjustable in length to accommodate users of different heights.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,904, filed Nov. 17, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention is a leg muscle stretcher utilized for stretching the leg muscles to relieve cramps.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Leg cramps, especially cramping in the calf muscle, can be excruciatingly painful. Frequently, leg cramps occur while a person is sitting or lying in bed. The usual remedy is to stand and perform an exercise to stretch the calf muscle and relieve the cramp. Unfortunately, getting out of bed or standing is difficult for people who may be incapacitated for one reason or another. In these situations it would certainly be a boon to have a simplistic device that could be used to alleviate the painful leg cramps. Thus a leg muscle stretcher solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The leg muscle stretcher is a device for stretching the leg muscle to alleviate cramping. The device is simplistic and comprises only three parts, including a handle, a strap and a foot mat. The strap is adjustable to accommodate users of various heights.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention presents an exercise device that is compact, lightweight and highly portable. Although indicated to alleviate cramps, the device can also be employed to strengthen the leg muscle. The device would be a welcome adjunct in many venues including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis clinics, gyms, etc. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0008] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a leg muscle stretcher according to the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a leg muscle stretcher according to the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of the foot mat of a leg muscle stretcher according to the present invention.

[0012] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the leg muscle stretcher is generally indicated at 10. As indicated above, the device 10 comprises three parts: a handle 12, a strap 14, and a foot mat 16. The handle 12 is a tube having open ends 12a and 12b. The ends are rounded to prevent the presence of sharp cutting edges. The handle 12 can be fabricated from almost any durable, lightweight material (plastic, metal, hard rubber, etc.). The strap 14 is fabricated from waterproof nylon or a material similar thereto. A conventional adjustment buckle 15 receives the free ends 14a, 14b of the strap 14, whereby the length of the strap 14 may be adjusted. The foot mat 16 comprises upper and lower unobstructed, planar surfaces. The foot mat 16 is fabricated from a soft, flexible material, such as rubber. Slots 16a and 16b are positioned adjacent respective opposite ends of foot mat 16. The device is assembled by threading the strap 14 through the foot mat 16 and handles 12 via respective slots/openings 16a, 16b, 14a, 14b and the buckle 15.

[0014] In use, the user's foot engages the upper surface of the foot mat 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The handle 12 is grasped and pulled toward the chest of the user. This simple action will function to alleviate the effects of leg cramping.

[0015] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A leg muscle stretcher, comprising: a foot mat made from a flexible material; a strap member removably threaded through the foot mat; and a handle member, the strap member being removably threaded through the handle member.

2. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, further including a strap adjusting buckle removably attached to said strap member.

3. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said handle member is a tube having open ends.

4. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said foot mat has opposite ends, the foot mat having slots positioned adjacent each of the opposing ends, respectively.

5. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said foot mat has an unobstructed, planar upper surface.

6. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 1, wherein said strap member is fabricated from waterproof nylon material.

7. A leg muscle stretcher, comprising: a foot mat made from a flexible material, the foot mat having a planar, unobstructed upper surface; a strap member having first and second free ends, the strap member being removably threaded through the foot mat; and a tubular, open-ended handle member, the strap member being removably threaded through the tubular, open-ended handle member.

8. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 7, wherein said foot mat has opposite ends and a slot defined therein adjacent each respective end, the strap member being threaded through the slots.

9. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 8, including a strap adjusting buckle removably attached to said strap member, the strap adjusting buckle receiving the first and second free ends of said strap member therethrough.

10. The leg muscle stretcher according to claim 7, wherein said strap member is fabricated from waterproof nylon material.

11. A method of relieving leg cramps in a person, comprising the steps of; providing a foot-engaging member having an unobstructed planar surface for engaging the person's foot; providing an adjustable strap removably affixed to the foot-engaging member; providing a handle removably affixed to the adjustable strap; adjusting the length of the strap so that the handle can be engaged by the person's hands; and pulling the handle toward the person's chest while maintaining the foot-engaging member stationary, thereby stretching muscles of the leg to relieve the leg cramps.

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