US20120071304A1

US20120071304A1 - Piri-Stretcher

Info

Publication number: US20120071304A1
Application number: US12/885,511
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas A. Ferguson, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-19
Filing date: 2010-09-19
Publication date: 2012-03-22

Abstract

The Piri-Stretcher is piece of training and/or exercise equipment designed to aid the user in stretching the human piriformis muscle with optimal comfort and simplicity. The device is placed around the leg and used manually for several intervals of 15 seconds per leg and designed to assist in the elimination of lower back, leg and buttocks pain caused by taut piriformis muscles or a distressed sciatic nerve caused by taut piriformis muscles. The Piri-Stretcher is engineered to concentrate and target the leg and hip movements necessary to stretch the elusive and deeply embedded piriformis muscles.

Description

New device aids users in the stretching of the piriformis muscle thus helping reduce back, leg and buttock pain caused by taut piriformis muscles or sciatica due to taut piriformis muscles.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not-Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not-Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not-Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention falls into the field of exercise equipment and/or therapy devices designed to aid individuals to optimal health and fitness. Lower back, leg and buttock pain can occur when the piriformis muscle is taut or when a taut piriformis distresses the sciatic nerve, which comes into the gluteal region beneath the muscle, causing pain in the lower back, legs and buttocks and referred pain along the sciatic nerve. Piriformis muscles are prone to tighten and cause discomfort in distance runners or individuals who regularly sit for extended periods.
Regarding previous art; this applicant could not find any devices or products built or designed to assist an individual attempting to stretch the piriformis muscle or otherwise assist and aid in this action. The piriformis is embedded deep in the hip and requires precise motion, range and force to isolate and stretch; this invention simplifies and aids in this action while adding extended range and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Piri-Stretcher is piece of equipment designed to allow the user to stretch the human piriformis muscles with added range, grip and comfort. (FIG. 1) The device is wrapped around the leg (FIG. 4) and used manually in several 15 second intervals for each leg (FIG. 6). The device is designed to assist in the elimination of lower back, leg and buttocks pain caused by taut piriformis muscles or piriformis muscles strangling or distressing the sciatic nerve; this is accomplished by the engineering of the Piri-Stretcher which concentrates and targets the leg movements necessary to stretch the elusive and deeply embedded piriformis muscles. The device can be constructed with various materials or textiles with a practical choice being neoprene. Size will vary based on anatomy and size of user with the device shown measuring 24 inches long by 10 inches wide by 3 mm thick. (FIG. 1) The product is used by following three steps. First, the user fastens the device around the leg opposite of the targeted piriformis muscle (FIG. 2,3,4). Second, the user lays on their back and places their foot on the designated area marked on the Piri-Stretcher (FIG. 5). Third, the user gently pulls the strap towards their chest until a comfortable stretch in the piriformis muscle is felt. (FIG. 6) The user then switches legs and follows steps 1-3 to stretch the opposite piriformis muscle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Brief description of the Several Views of the Drawing.

FIG. 1

1. The Piri-Stretcher is made from a contiguous piece of flexible 3 mm thick neoprene with the top surface suitable for hook and loop fastening.
2. There is a 22.0 inch by 4.0 inch by 3 mm thick neoprene thigh strap used to secure the device to the leg. This length may vary based on the anatomy and size of the user.
3. There is a 18.0 inch by 4.0 inch by 3 mm thick neoprene calf strap used to secure the device to the leg. This length may vary based on the anatomy and size of the user.
4. The device has a 2.0 inch by 4.0 inch hook and loop (Velcro) fasting system affixed to the end of both thigh and calf straps used to secure the device snugly to the leg.
5. There is a 1.75 diameter hole sewn into the center of the Piri-Stretcher for product flexibility and to guide the user in proper placement of the Piri-stretcher.
6. There is a 6.0 inch by 1.75 inch by 6 mm thick reinforced nylon mesh pull strap centered between the two fastening straps affixed above the guide hole with a ¼ inch offset away from the thigh strap. The pull strap is anchored to the Piri-Stretcher using reinforced nylon stitching on both ends of the pull strap.
7. The Piri-Stretcher has a 0.5 inch reinforced rubberized nylon finishing seam affixed to the entire outer perimeter for added integrity and strength.
8. The Piri-Stretcher has a 0.5 inch reinforced no-flex finishing seam affixed to the outer perimeter of the nylon mesh pull handle for added integrity and strength.

FIG. 2

9. The Piri-Stretcher as described in FIG. 1, item 1 is seen unfastened ready to secure to the users leg.

FIG. 3

10. The user is securing the thigh strap as described in FIG. 1 item 2 to the leg using the hook and loop fastening system described in FIG. 1, item 4.

FIG. 4

11. The user is securing the calf strap as described in FIG. 1, item 3 to the leg using the hook and loop fastening system described in FIG. 1, item 4.

FIG. 5

12. The user while laying on their back is placing the opposite foot (leg without the Piri-Stretcher) onto the Piri-Stretcher in the designated area just above the guide hole described in FIG. 1, item 5.

FIG. 6

13. The user is grasping the pull strap described in FIG. 1, item 6 and is pulling the Piri-Stretcher toward the chest allowing for an acute stretch of the right human piriformis muscle. The user simply moves the Piri-Stretcher to the right leg and repeats the steps in FIG. 2-6 on the other leg to target the left piriformis muscle.

DESCRIPTION

The Piri-Stretcher is a portable and lightweight (approx. 6 oz) stretching aid. Its main composition is a contiguous piece of flexible 3 mm thick neoprene with a 22.0″×4.0″ thigh strap and a 18.0″×4.0″ calf strap; both with hook and loop fasting systems designed to quickly and securely fasten device to users leg. The 2.0″×4.0″ hook and loop fasting systems are sewn into the outer ends of the calf and thigh straps. Other durable textiles can be used to manufacture the device however Neoprene was chosen as first preference as the properties of this textile including strength, flexibility, stain resistance and waterproofing make it best choice. There is 1.75″ diameter guide hole between the fastening straps to assist users in proper placement of the device. The device has a 6.0″×1.75″ reinforced nylon mesh pull strap centered between the fastening straps and affixed above the guide hole with a ¼″ offset away from the thigh strap. The pull strap is positioned for users to grasp and pull once the device is fastened to leg and users are in position resulting in acute piriformis stretches. The device has added integrity by affixing a 0.5″ flexible seam finishing tape around the entire perimeter. The nylon mesh reinforced handle is reinforced and protected from fraying by sewing a non-elastic 0.5″ seam finishing tape to the perimeter. To use the product, the device is first secured to the leg opposite the targeted piriformis muscle shown in (FIG. 2 through FIG. 4). Second, the user lays on their back and places their foot (of the leg without the device) onto the designated area marked ‘ankle zone’ just above the guide hole shown in (FIG. 5). Next, the user grabs the strap with both hands and gently pulls towards their chest until a comfortable stretch in the piriformis muscle is felt (FIG. 6). The device is designed to aid in the stretching of both left and right piriformis muscles by just moving the device to the leg opposite of the targeted piriformis muscle and repeating the same 3 steps.

Claims

1. I claim the aforementioned piri-stretcher device which is used to aid in stretching the human piriformis muscle: The device is made from flexible textile or neoprene material, has thigh and calf straps to secure the device to the leg and a reinforced handle positioned for optimal grip, leverage and comfort during operation. The device uses a secure hook and loop fasting system to attach and secure to leg. The device helps the user isolate and stretch the piriformis muscle consequently reducing lower back, leg and buttocks pain caused by taut piriformis muscles. Notwithstanding my claim to analogous permutations of material, size and strength as they may vary slightly based on the size of the user, the unit described in the drawings is neoprene measuring 24 inches long by 10 inches wide by 3 mm thick.