WO1998057598A2

WO1998057598A2 - Multipurpose inversion device and method of using same

Info

Publication number: WO1998057598A2
Application number: PCT/US1998/012608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jack Barreca
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-16
Filing date: 1998-06-16
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1999-12-16
Also published as: AU8471698A

Abstract

A multipurpose inversion device for; (a) treatment of back trouble by means of inversion traction, (b) massage therapy and/or (c) exercise. The multipurpose device includes additional braces for withstanding increased stresses induced, e.g. by a masseuse or due to exercised performed thereon. The multipurpose device has various attachments or configurations, including an abdominal exercise attachment, a massage unit, a heating unit and slidable reclining board for supporting a user. The slidable reclining board is supported by a frame connected to a foldable stand along a horizontal axis. The reclining board is arranged to be movable in its longitudinal direction relative to the frame, preferably in such a way that the reclining board is slidable on the frame, on wheels.

Description

"MULTIPURPOSE INVERSION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING SAME"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a multipurpose device for the treatment of back pains, for use as a massage table and for the use as an exercise table. In particular, the invention includes a stand supporting a reclining board which can be turned about a substantially horizontal shaft and a foot retaining means to retain a user on the reclining board while stretching exercising or receiving a massage .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices for the treatment of back pain are known. In using a typical one of these prior art devices, a person

(hereinafter referred to as a man for convenience of description) to be treated places himself with his feet on a foot plate and fastens his feet to the foot plate. Subsequently, he leans backwards with the upper part of his body against a board and thereby causes the board to rotate backwards. The board is typically suspended in a stand being such that the person's center of gravity inclusive of the board and the foot plate, will shift so as to become located on the other side of a horizontal rotational shaft relative to the foot plate, so that the board with the person is turned around the horizontal rotational shaft. In some devices there is some type of rotation restriction mechanism so that the board will not rotate completely over with the person having his head pointing straight downwards .

One disadvantage of these known devices is that the person's backward inclination must be rather great in order to overcome the friction between his body and the reclining board to obtain any stretching of his back. Moreover, such devices are single purpose; i.e. they do not allow a user to, for example, receive massage therapy, heat and/or vibratory massage, provide lumbar support and/or easily perform various exercises (such as abdominal strengthening exercises) safely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a multipurpose device for stretching, exercising and/or receiving massage therapy, wherein a user can be positioned at an angle of inclination where the user's head is lower to the ground than his/her feet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable reclining board that rotates to different angles of inclination, as well as locking into a desired inclination so that exercises and/or massage therapy can be performed without the board.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tiltable board device that is easily collapsible to reduce its need of space when the device is not used.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a means for massaging the back portion of a persons' body, in particular, a person' s spine from the lumbar region through the neck region. The tiltable nature of the present invention provides a unique massage experience due to the ability for a massage apparatus to be operatively associated with the portion of the device that contacts the person' s back in such a manner that a person' s vertebrae are manipulated, in concert with gravity, to relax muscles and adjust a person's spine in a superlative way.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to vibratory means associated with the tiltable board device which similarly relaxes a person's spine and body and permits a unique physical sensation given the ability to attain different angular positioning of a person's body during the vibratory massage. A further embodiment of the present invention involves the use of a lumbar support on the tiltable board device so as to support a person' s lumbar region during back stretching exercises, during use of the board as a massage table device, etc. Yet a further embodiment includes heat and/or cold therapy devices associated with the tiltable board device so as to apply heat and/or cold to portions of a person's body that contacts the tiltable board device. For example, by warming a layer on top of the board device in a manner similar to a heating blanket, it is possible to further enhance the physical sensation of relaxation achieved using the tiltable board device.

In further embodiment of the invention, a reclining board is constructed of individual portions which can move independently from each other, thus facilitating alignment of a persons spine by a masseuse or chiropractic practitioner. The ability to move various portions of the reclining board while the person is reclining thereon provides a method whereby various muscles and bone attachments of a person can be manipulated while the person is in various angular configurations. In particular, by adjusting a persons spine while the person is in a reclined position, the forces of gravity facilitate additional muscle relaxation and relief that is not possible to achieve when a person is lying in a horizontal position.

Other embodiments of the present invention relate to feet fastening means to accommodate various rotational orientations of a person's body while on the device. In one embodiment, a "doughnut-shaped" ring is provided so that a person's feet can enter through the center of the ring and the top most portion of a person' s foot can contact the underside of the ring, thus supporting the person's weight when in a reclined position. This doughnut-shaped ring device allows a person to rotate in different orientations so as to facilitate, for example, oblique muscle exercises, such as reclining side bends.

One especially advantageous embodiment of the present invention involves the use of an abdominal exercise device associated with the tiltable board device. For example, a moveable neck and/or upper back support means can be operably associated with the tiltable board device so that a person in a reclined position can do incline sit-ups without severe strain to the neck and upper back portions of a person's body due to the increased force of gravity encountered in such a position. Use of plastic materials specially conformed to the shape of a person's back and neck region, with hand holds on either side of the neck portion of such device, can be utilized by a person in a reclining position to perform abdominal exercises. Similarly, an "AB-Roller" type device can be associated with the tiltable board device so that a person can facilitate abdominal exercises by use of upright hand members that roll or pivot on the board device and that are connected to a neck support pad, thus supporting a person neck while doing incline sit-ups on the tiltable board device.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the height of the board device above the ground can be adjusted by, for example, adjusting telescoping leg members that support the tilting board device. Moreover, additional leg members can be used to support the table when used, for example, during massages (e.g. support legs can be located underneath the leg region and the upper back region of the board device to provide a firm surface upon which to conduct massage) .

Other embodiments of the present invention relate to various means for facilitating different angular orientations of a person's body while on the tiltable device. For example, the foot fastening means can be associated with the remainder of the device through a bent member that extends from the board device in a bent or curved fashion to connect to the bottom most portion of a foot plate, thus facilitating various angular configurations of the foot fastening means with respect to the rest of the board device. Other embodiments of the present invention lack any foot plate whatsoever and rather, rely upon a foot entrapping means to maintain a person in a reclined position (e.g. padded bars that traverse the upper most portions of a person's foot, thus holding the person in an inverted position when the board is reclined) .

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent in the accompanying figures and the detailed description hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described in a greater detail in the form of a non-restrictive illustrative example shown on the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of how the reclining board of

Fig. 1 is fastened. Fig. 3 shows a part of the stand of the device of Fig.

1, especially part of a locking means, partly in section.

Fig. 4 shows a locking disc for use with the locking means .

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a foot retainer that is in the general shape of a torus.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the connection of the foot plate 8 to a modified version of the rod 7.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a locking mechanism for preventing reclining board 13 from sliding. Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein an abdominal exercise device is incorporated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 shows a device according to the present invention having a stand formed by two substantially U- shaped tubular stand portions 1, 2 connected with one another by means of two fastening plates 3, wherein each leg of the stand portions 1 and Z (i.e. legs la, lb or stand portion 1 and legs 2a, 2b of stand portion Z) is connected to one of the fastening plates. The fastening plates 3 are attached (e.g. welded) at some distance from the free ends of the stand portion 1 while the free end portions of the stand portion 2 are attached to the fastening plate 3, by respective horizontal axis fasteners at 25, so that they can be turned. Approximately midway along the legs of the two stand portions 1 and 2, limiting means (e.g. wires, foldable members or chains) 4 are attached connecting the leg portions 1 and 2 with one another and preventing them from being turned apart from one another more than what is permitted by the limiting wires. In this way the stand, inclusive of the wires or chains 4, has substantially the shape of an "A."

A substantially rectangular frame 5, having an attachment 6 of a rod 7 supporting a foot plate 8 at one end, is rotatably attached to the fastening plate 3. On this foot plate 8, a fixed rear foot support 9 and an adjustable front foot support 10 are arranged, by means of which the feet of a user utilizing the present invention can be clamped to the foot plate. The rod 7 supporting the foot plate is preferably provided with a plurality of holes through the rod 7 by means of which the rod can be adjusted in different positions relative to the attachment 6, by means of a pin 10 that can be threaded through aligned holes in the attachment and the rod, so that the foot plate 8 can be adjusted in different positions for adaptation to the height of the user. The frame 5 is rotatably mounted to the fastening plate 3, and the frame 5 includes a plurality of rods having a substantially circular cross-section. A plurality of wheels 11 (Fig. 2) are arranged to roll on the frame in the directions corresponding to the length of a user's body, the wheels 11 is mounted in attaching members 12 (also best shown in Fig. 2) . As is apparent from Fig. 2, the wheels are preferably made as guide wheels, each having a concave tread so that it can roll easily on the convex surface of the frame. The attaching members 12 support, in turn, a reclining board 13 on which the user rests the main portion of his/her body when using the present invention. The reclining board 13 may be composed of various materials, such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, canvas , and accordingly can be flexible or rigid as long as the user is adequately supported thereon. The frame 5 is further provided with wheel stops 14 located at some distance from each other and on both sides of at least one of the wheels 11 for restricting the motion of the reclining board 13 on the frame 5. In this way, the reclining board 13 will be supported so that it is easily movable in its longitudinal direction relative to the frame 5.

Other embodiments of the present invention relate to other means for mounting the reclining board 13 on the frame 5, such as by slidable telescoping members (rather than wheels) which provide for translocational movement of the reclining board with respect to the frame to facilitate the desired spinal stretching function of the device. Various other means for causing the reclining board to move translocationally along the axis of a person's spine in relation to the frame 5 will be known to those of skill in the art, such means including, but not limited to, flexible and/or elastic members, magnetic devices, complimentary surface arrangements, (e.g. tongue and groove), etc. It should be appreciated, however, that various embodiments of the present invention do not utilize a reclining board that is oveable with respect to the frame. As such, the present invention includes embodiments that have for example, a cloth covering stretched across the frame to support a user's back, fixedly boards attached to the frame, etc.

In order to limit the turning or rotation of the frame 5, and consequently, the reclining board 13 about its points of suspension (i.e., these points being coincident with the transverse, horizontal axis 26) on the fastening plates 3, a locking means is included. This locking means comprises a notched locking disc 15 shown in Fig. 4, which is attached, by respective transverse, horizontal pivot pins on the axis 26, to the flanges 27 fixing the frame 5 to the fastening plate 3. As is apparent from the figures, this locking disc preferably has a notched substantially semi-circular perimetrical working edge profile. The locking means further comprises a locking pin 16 that can engage the teeth of the locking disc 15 and is guided in an elongate hole 17 in the fastening plate 3 and movable in a radial direction relative to the semicircular perimeter of the locking disc. The locking pin 16 is rigidly connected by means of a short rod 18 extending from the locking pin into an elongate opening in the tubular stand portion 1, within which the short rod 18 is connected in a sliding member 19 to a longer rod 20 extending in parallel with the stand portion 1 and substantially from the sliding member 19 up to the upper free end of the frame portion 1. The longer rod 20 is there connected to a pressure regulator 21, by means of which the longer rod 20, the sliding portion 19, the short rod 18 and consequently the locking pin 16 can be moved in a radial direction out of respective ones of the notches 24 in the locking disc 15. Moreover, beneath the sliding member 19 in the stand portion 1, there is arranged a compression spring 22 bearing on the sliding member 19 and a fixed stop means 23 in the stand portion 1. In this way, the locking pin 16 is biased to be normally pressed into a respective notch 24 in the locking disc 15, or to be at such a distance from the center of the locking disc that the locking pin strikes against the edge of the locking disc when the locking disc is turned around its center.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other types of rotation limitation means can be utilized that restrict the movement of the reclining board at some point of rotation. For example, in certain embodiments, the only rotational limitation means is at the full reclining position of the board 13 given that one of the primary functions of the present invention is to suspend an individual substantially vertically with their head in a downward position and their feet in an upward position. In a more preferred embodiment, the rotation limitation means is capable of stopping rotation of the reclining board when the board is substantially horizontal to the ground upon which the device rests, thus facilitating massage therapy on a more or less conventional flat table surface.

In addition to the above-described structure and functionality of the present invention, Fig. 1 also illustrates a novel combination of additional features incorporated into the inversion table of the present invention wherein, for example, massage therapy can be performed as well as the inversion functionality described hereinabove. In particular, the embodiment of Fig. 1 can also be used as a massage table, wherein massage may be performed by a masseuse and/or by incorporated electromechanical devices (e.g., motors, vibrators, etc.). Accordingly, the embodiment of Fig. 1 provides for both methods of massage. That is, when the reclining board 13 is utilized by a masseuse to perform massage, the locking mechanism provided by the notched locking disk 15 and the locking pin 16 may not provide sufficient stability and resistance to the forces that can be transferred to the reclining board 13 during manual massage therapy. Accordingly, upper and lower recline braces 50 and 54, respectively, are provided for stabilizing the reclining board 13 in any one of a plurality of inclining positions. That is, referring to upper incline brace 50 and its attachments to other components of the present invention, the upper incline brace 50 itself may be tubular in construction with bores 58 spaced along the length of the upper recline brace, wherein the bores operate in cooperation with bore 62 of leg 2a and adjustment pin 66 for fixedly securing the upper recline brace 50 to the leg 2a. Additionally, the upper recline brace 50 is also pivotally attached to the frame 5 by pivot assembly 70, wherein the upper recline brace, when not secured to the leg 2 by the adjustment pin 66, can pivot about the pivot assembly 70 along the directions of the arcuate double headed arrow 74. Accordingly, the upper recline brace 50 can be retracted parallel to the frame 5 and attached to flange 78 by, for example, adjustment pin 66 being received through bore 80 and one of the bores 58. Note that the flange 78 is secured to the frame 5 and that the flange in the orientation of Fig. 1 may have a cross section parallel to horizontal axis 26 that is in the shape of a downward opening "U" with a bore 80 penetrating each of the vertical sides of the flange. Thus, when the upper recline brace 50 is rotated into the center slot between the flange 78 sides, the brace can be secured by the adjustment pin 66, thereby allowing the engagement between the locking pins 16 and the notched locking discs 15 to substantially govern the inclination of the reclining board 13. Further, note than in one embodiment of the present invention, upper recline brace 50, pivot assembly 70, and flange 78 as well as the associated bores and pin 66 may be duplicated on the mirror image portions of frame 5 and leg 2b that are on the backside of the present invention as displayed in Fig. 1. Moreover, similar braces, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, may be provided between frame 5 and legs la and/or lb of stand portion 1. Referring now to lower recline brace 54, this brace also facilitates stabilizing and fixing the incline board 13 at a fixed inclination. The lower inclined brace 54 of the present embodiment may be attachable (and detachable) from the foot plate 8, or may be pivotally mounted to the foot plate for pivoting in the directions of the arcuate double headed arrow 88. Thus, in the embodiment where the lower incline brace 54 pivots, a securing flange 92 attached to, for example, the rod 7 may be provided for securing the lower recline brace 54 in a position substantially parallel to rod 7 in a manner substantially similar to the securing of the upper recline brace 50 in the flange 78 as will be described hereinbelow.

Referring now to the lower recline brace 54 in more detail, this brace consists of an outer pivotal housing 96 that pivotally attaches to the foot plate 8 and has a hollow center running lengthwise (i.e., vertically in Fig. 1), wherein an adjustable post 100 is slidable within the housing 96 in a telescoping fashion. Note that the housing 96 and the post 100 may be secured together at any of a number of positions for varying the length (i.e., the vertical extent in Fig. 1) of the lower recline brace 54 by inserting adjustment pin 104 through aligned bores: bore

108 of housing 96, and one of the bores 112 of post 100.

Additionally, in order to effectively massage certain portions of the legs, the adjustment bar 116 for adjusting foot support 10 may also be pivotable in the direction of arcuate double headed arrow 120.

Further, note that in some embodiments of the present invention, the foot supports 9 and 10 may be replaced with other configurations for securing a user's feet effectively so that the user remains securely connected to the foot plate 8 when using the present invention regardless of the inclination of inversion to which the user is subjected. In particular, a torus of fixed or variable size may be used to replace the foot supports 9 and 10 so that a user's feet may be securely held in place regardless of whether the user is lying on his/her back, stomach, or side when resting against the reclining board 13. For example, Fig 5 illustrates a torus 128 attached to the foot plate 8 by corner pedestals 134 that are attached to a reinforcing ring 136 embedded within the torus 128.

Other embodiments include a foot attachment mechanism that can be of any particular geometric configuration as long as such configuration facilitates the placement of at least one of a person's feet under a restraining bar, such restraining bar sufficient to maintain the person' s foot in a substantially static position when the person reclines using the present device.

Alternatively, in Fig. 6 another embodiment of the foot retaining capabilities of the present invention is illustrated. That is, instead of the rod 7 attaching to the foot plate 8 on the surface contacting the user's feet, the rod now is angled, for example, as at angled portion 140 so as to be offset from the user's legs and the rear of the foot plate 8. Further, the rod 7 now extends below the foot plate 8 and has a right angled portion 144 that extends to the center of the foot plate 8 wherein it is rotatably attached to the foot plate. Thus, a user may, in one embodiment, freely rotate him/herself while reclining on the reclining board 13 by merely rotating the foot plate 8 about the bottom rotational attachment 148. As an aside, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that the lower recline brace 54 (Fig. 1) may now have its outer pivotal housing 96 attached approximately at the 90° bend 152 of rod 7.

Returning now to Fig. 1, in order to use the reclining board 13 as support for a massage table, it is also an aspect of the present invention that the reclining board be able to be locked into a position so that it cannot slide with respect to frame 5 on wheels 11 as shown in Fig. 2. For example, Fig. 1 illustrates one way for locking the reclining board 13 in place, wherein bores 158 are provided along the length of the frame 5 so that when the bore 162 within the attaching member 12 aligns with one of the bores 158, a bore locking pin 166 may be provided within the aligned bores for securing the reclining board 13 in a particular position. Note that it is an aspect of the present invention that such locking of the reclining board 13 to the frame 5 may be performed after the reclining board has shifted relative to the frame 5 on wheels 11 thereby allowing the present invention to stretch the user's back when inclined prior to locking the reclining board and the frame 5 together by board locking pin 166. Additionally, a user may desire to have the reclining board 13 and the frame 5 locked together from the onset of use. In particular, if a user desires to use an embodiment of the present invention for performing exercises, then it may be preferable that there is no movement between the reclining board 13 and the frame 5. In further embodiments of the present invention, the reclining board is rotationally mounted to a frame in such a manner that permits essentially 360' degrees of movement of the board, thus facilitating a swinging action by a user. In this way a user is provided with a method whereby angular momentum can add to the gravitational forces encountered when in a reclined position. In other words, it is within the scope of the present invention to have an absence of rotational limitation means to facilitate the purposeful inversion of a person on the reclining board, and indeed a swinging of the person's head through an arcuate path substantially near the ground whereas the person's feet are elevated and moving in an arcuate path towards a ceiling. In such a manner, a person can further accentuate the downward forces on one's spine, thus facilitating stretching of back and other body muscles.

In another aspect of the present invention, the reclining board 13 may be provided with an additional layer 170 that can be provided with therapeutic devices such as various vibrators, motors and/or heating or cooling elements for further assisting in user relaxation and therapeutic massage.

In embodiment, a therapeutic mat having a moveable member is operatively attached to the reclining board. A person lying on the therapeutic device (e.g. a massage mat that has member that moves within the mat from one proximal end to another end of the mat) can control the speed and frequency of the moving member as it translates up and down a person's spine. In this manner, a person is able to achieve superlative relaxation and massage, particularly in the reclined position, due to the ability of the massage device to work in concert with gravitational forces, thus separating vertebrae and relaxing back muscles to an extent heretofore unachievable. The additional layer can be attached by, for example, Hook and Loop structures, (e.g. Velcro) so that it can be reversibly removed, alternatively, the massage device or can be fixedly attached to the reclining board 13. When such vibrators, motors (more generally, electromechanical massage units) and/or heaters are provided, e.g. within the additional layer 170, the present invention also has a control unit 174 that controls such therapeutic devices. Note that the control unit 174 is attached to the layer 170 by pivot arm 178 that pivots about attachment point 180 in the directions of arcuate double headed arrow 184. Accordingly, the control unit may be accessed whether the user is lying on his/her back or stomach. Further, a removable headrest 188 is also included into one or more embodiments of the present invention so that when the user is lying on his/her back, the headrest may be inserted into the headrest recess 192 within the layer 170 for thereby supporting the user's head. Conversely, when the user is lying his/her stomach, the headrest 88 may be removed from the headrest retaining slot 192 that penetrates both the layer 170 and the reclining board 13. Accordingly, when the user is on his/her stomach, the user's face may be provided within the headrest retaining slot 192 and receive support from the portions of the layer 170 surrounding this retaining slot.

In further embodiment, a lumbar support means is provided, such lumbar support either being detachable from the reclining board itself and/or incorporated into the reclining board and adjustable to different heights above such board. A lumbar support is useful in situations where a person is reclining with their back on the board to support various portions of a person's spine, especially in the reclined positions and particularly when a user may attempt abdominal exercises in a reclined position. A lumbar support control feature (not shown) can be provided so that various degrees of lumbar support can be achieved by a user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the additional layer 170 may also include a plurality of the magnets distributed there within for providing magneto therapy. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, various coils or other magnetic flux generating devices may be included for alienating pain and promoting healing of joint and/or bone problems such as arthritis. In one embodiment of the present invention, related to the embodiment (s) of Fig. 1, the reclining board 13 and the layer 170 may be lengthened towards the foot plate 8 so that more of the user's legs is supported, both for manual and electronic massage therapy. In one embodiment, such an extension may be a separate unit from reclining board 13 and layer 170. In particular, the extension (not shown) may be fixedly attached to an extension of frame 5 in the direction of foot plate 8.

In another embodiment of the present invention, such as shown in Fig. 9, the additional layer 170 may also include a variable lumbar support, wherein the additional layer 170 can be incrementally raised or lifted away from the plane corresponding to the surface of the reclining board 13 that is adjacent to the additional layer. Note that, one skilled in the art will appreciate that there are various ways to variably raise a portion of the additional layer 170 corresponding to a lumbar region, such as lumbar area 200. For example, such variable raising may be performed by incorporating an air bladder herein. Alternatively, this can be accomplished by a mechanical means, wherein a lever, such as lever 204, that pivots according to double headed arrow 208 for controlling the raising and lowering of a lumbar support plate (not shown) by, for example, one or more CAM Mechanisms (also not shown) .

In a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 10, the reclining board 13 and the additional layer 170 can be separated into two portions with the separation being along the axis 220. Thus, as shown in this figure, the additional layer 170 now has two distinct sections 170a and 170b. Moreover, it is an aspect of this embodiment that each of the sections can move independently, and in fact, may move in different directions. For example, the section 170a can move in the directions of double headed arrow 224 while the section 170b can move in the directions of double headed arrow 228. Thus, a user having a misaligned or miscurved spine may be better accommodated by the present embodiment of the invention. Note that in a related embodiment, section 170b can be fixedly attached to the frame 5.

It is also worth noting that some embodiments of the present invention need not have a reclining board 13 that shifts with respect to the frame 5. In particular, the additional layer 170 with its electromechanical massage, and the braces 50, 54 as well as the rotatable footplate 8 of Fig. 6 do not require the shifting of the reclining board 13.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the reclining board 13 and any additional layer may include a seat that the user may straddle when reclining board 13 is in the initially vertical orientation in which a user mounts the present inventions. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the reclining board 13 may extend substantially to the floor when in the initial vertical orientation and grasping supports may be incorporated into the board for grasping then user's ankles and/or legs instead of his/her feet. Accordingly, no footplate 8 is needed.

The function of the present invention according to the embodiments of Fig. 1 is as follows: The stand 1 is opened to the position shown in Fig. 1 and the person who is to use the device of the present invention loosens the foot fastening means 10, with the reclining board 13 in a substantially vertical position (foot plate 8 downwards) , climbs onto the foot plate 8 and thereafter clamps the foot fastening means 10 so that his ankles are locked between the foot fastening means 10 and the foot support 9. (The foot plate 8 should be adjusted before this, by means of the rod 7, to such a height that the person when standing on the foot plate will get far enough onto the reclining board 13 with the upper part of his body so that, when the person leans against the reclining board 13, the reclining board 13 will turn about the substantially horizontal axis 16 about which the reclining board 13 is rotatably attached to the fastening plate 3 of the stand by means of the frame 5) . Thus, when the person leans against the reclining board and unfastens the locking means by pressing the pressure regulator 21, the reclining board is turned with the frame 5 to approximately the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the locking pin 16 engages the first notch 24 of the locking disc 15; i.e., the uppermost notch as shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, assuming the reclining board 13 and the frame 5 are not locked together, when the reclining board 13 has only a slight downward inclination against its head end (e.g. Fig. 1), the user lying on the reclining board 13 may lie completely still and not be stretched at all due to the friction between the user's body and the reclining board. However, with further inclining of the reclining board 13, which is movable on the frame 5, the user's body and the reclining board will be pulled downwards and the user's body stretched, as a result, to attain the intended traction. By a new depression of the pressure regulator 21 the locking pin 16 is displaced out of the first notch 24 in the locking disc 15 and the reclining board 13, with the frame 5, is turned further, until the locking pin is pressed into the next notch in the locking disc, due to the action of the spring 22. In this way, the inclination of the reclining board can be adjusted to a plurality of, e.g. seven different positions, until, at the most extreme, the person is in a substantially vertical position, with his head downwards, to adjust the stretching degree.

Moreover, since the stand portions 1, 2 are collapsible, and because the stand portion 2 can be turned about its attachment in the fastening plate 3, in which the frame 5 with the reclining board 13 and the foot plate 8 can also be turned, the whole device can be easily folded up to a very compact unit requiring very little space when the apparatus is not being use. In a further embodiment to the present invention, instead of the manually manipulated locking pins, the reclining board 13 can be angularly manipulated by accessing a motorized rotating mechanism connected to the reclining board, thus allowing a person to simply flip a toggle switch type device to energize a motor that tilts the board so as to assume various angular positions.

In Fig. 8, a further enhancement of the present invention is provided, wherein an abdominal exercise assembly 196 is incorporated into the present invention. That is, the abdominal exercise assembly 196 may be of the cammed or pivoting type that can strengthen the user's abdominals and at the same time support the user's head and neck for maintaining proper exercise form. Although various embodiments of abdominal strengthening assemblies 196 may be incorporated into the present invention, the presently illustrated assembly 196 is pivotally connected to the reclining board 13 at pivot points 200 so that the assembly 196 pivots in the directions of double headed arcuate arrow 204. Thus, in operation, the user lies on his/her back on the reclining board 13 (or the layer 170) and rests his/her head on the headrest 208 and with arms and/or hands contacting the bars 212 for support. Accordingly, the user may perform horizontal or inclined abdominal muscle contracting exercises as one skilled in the art will understand. Further note that the abdominal strengthening assembly 196 can be locked into the position of Fig. 8, wherein the headrest 208 remains adjacent to the reclining board 13 (and/or layer 170) . In one embodiment, a pressure regulator 216, for example, at the free end of one of the bars 212 controls a locking sub-assembly 220, wherein when the locking sub-assembly 220 is unlocked, the abdominal strengthening assembly 196 can rotate freely in the directions of double headed arrow 204, and alternatively, when the locking sub-assembly is locked and the headrest 208 is adjacent to the reclining board 13, then the abdominal strengthening assembly 196 is prevented from pivoting about pivot points 200. Thus, by locking the assembly 196, this assembly remains in its locked position even when the reclining board 13 is in a vertical position such as when the user secures him/herself to the foot plate 8.

Further, the abdominal strengthening assembly 196 may be removable from and reattachable to the device of the present invention by, for example, removing a pivot rod extending the width of the frame by which the assembly 196 is pivotally attached to the frame 5.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge in the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The preferred embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with the various modifications required by their particular applications or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternate embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose inversion device, comprising: a foldable stand; a reclining board that pivots about a horizontal axis, said reclining board operatively connected to the stand at at least two pivot points, wherein said reclining board has a top surface for supporting a user; and a vibration unit positioned between the top surface and the user for providing massage.

2. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in

Claim 1, further including a heating element positioned between the top surface and the user.

3. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 1, further including a magnetic means positioned between the top surface and the user for providing a therapeutic magnetic field.

4. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 1, further including an additional layer between the reclining board and the user, wherein said additional layer includes a vibration unit and said additional layer is removable from said reclining board.

5. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said additional layer is reversibly attached to said reclining board.

6. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in

Claim 1, wherein said reclining board includes a slot for accepting a portion of the user' s face when the user is lying on his/her stomach on the reclining board.

7. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said reclining board is mounted to a frame that is pivotally attached to said stand, wherein said reclining board is slidable on said frame in a direction substantially traverse to said horizontal axis.

8. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said device includes a slidable attaching means that slides within a predetermined portion of said frame .

9. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 8, further including a locking means for locking said slidable attaching means so that it cannot slide.

10. An inversion device, comprising: a frame pivotally suspended from a stand; a reclining board slidably mounted to said frame; and a seat operatively connected to said reclining board for supporting a user when in an erect position.

11. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said seat is positioned on said reclining board so that the user straddles the seat when in an erect position.

12. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein said reclining board extends substantially to the floor when in a vertical position so that it is suitable for the user to sit on said seat.

13. An inversion device, comprising; a frame pivotally suspended from a stand; a reclining board slidably mounted to said frame; and a static leg grasping means attached to said frame, wherein said grasping means supports a user' s weight when said user is in an inclined position on said reclining board.

14. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said leg grasping means includes means for grasping the user's ankles.

15. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said device is devoid of any foot plate.

16. A multipurpose inversion device, comprising: a frame pivotally suspended from a stand; a reclining board mounted to said frame, said reclining board operatively connected to said frame for supporting a user on a top surface at a plurality of inclinations; and an abdominal exercise assembly connected to one of said frame and said reclining board, wherein said exercise assembly includes a neck support to support the users neck during performance of an abdominal exercise.

17. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in

Claim 17, wherein said abdominal exercise assembly is pivotally attached to one of said frame and said reclining board.

18. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said abdominal exercise assembly includes a locking means for locking the assembly into a predetermined position with respect to said reclining board.

19. A multipurpose inversion device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said abdominal exercise assembly is removable from said frame by removing a pivot rod extending across the frame and wherein said pivot rod is used to attach the abdominal exercise assembly to said frame.

20. An inversion device, comprising: a reclining board that pivots about a horizontal axis, wherein the reclining board is supported above a floor by a foldable stand; and a locking means for locking said reclining in a plurality of inclinations, wherein said locking means includes at least one lock requiring manual action both for activating and deactivating the lock.

21. An inversion device as set forth in Claim 20, wherein the height of the device above the floor is adjustable.

22. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 21, wherein said locking means includes one of a brace extending between a portion of the inversion device that pivots with said reclining board and a support for said foldable stand.

23. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 21, wherein said locking means includes a brace pivotally attached to a frame upon which said reclining board is mounted, wherein said brace extends between said frame and a portion of said foldable stand.

24. An inversion device, comprising: a frame pivotally suspended from a stand; a reclining board slidably mounted to said frame; and at least one reclining board adjustment means for adjusting a first portion of said reclining board to a desired orientation without adjusting a second portion of said reclining board.

25. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 23, wherein said first portion is mounted to said frame and said second portion is fixedly mounted to said frame.

26. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 24, wherein said first portion is slidable along a longitudinal axis of said frame and said second portion is slidable in a direction substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis.

27. An inversion device as claimed in Claim 24, wherein a contour of said second portion can be adjusted to substantially coincide with a curvature of a lumbar section of a user supported by said reclining board.