U.S. patent application number 10/123845 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for leg exercising apparatus.
Invention is credited to Knight, Jeffrey E..
Application Number | 20020137608 10/123845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46279084 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020137608 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knight, Jeffrey E. |
September 26, 2002 |
Leg exercising apparatus
Abstract
An exercise apparatus for exercising, strengthening and
conditioning the tibial and ankle areas of the leg, shin as
comprises a first strap adapted to form a loop around the foot of a
user, passing across the underside of the foot in the region of the
ball of the foot. A metal ring is slidably attached to the
underside portion of the strap to connect to an exercise
resistance, such as a pulley system weight rack or an elastic cord.
The first strap is held in place with the aid of a second strap
extending along each side of the foot and around the heel portion
and connecting at each side to the first strap.
Inventors: |
Knight, Jeffrey E.;
(Cheektowaga, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES J. RALABATE
5792 MAIN STREET
WILLIAMSVILLE
NY
14221
US
|
Family ID: |
46279084 |
Appl. No.: |
10/123845 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10123845 |
Apr 16, 2002 |
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09487933 |
Jan 20, 2000 |
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6390957 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 ;
482/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4015 20151001;
A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 2208/0233 20130101; A63B 21/0442
20130101; A63B 2208/0242 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B
21/0557 20130101; A63B 23/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 ;
482/904 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise apparatus for use in exercising the muscles and
tendons of a user's leg comprising: a first strap adapted to form a
loop around the foot of the user passing across the underside of
the foot in the region of the ball of the foot; a second strap
adapted to extend around the heel portion and along each side of
the foot of the user and attached at each end to said first strap;
a slidable loop attached to an underside of said first strap to
permit applying pressure to different portions of said foot and
said leg by locating an attached elastic cord to different sections
of said loop.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 including a movable
coupling means associated with said first strap and positioned at
the underside of the user's foot, said second strap having a longer
length than said first strap, both said first and second straps
configured to fit around the side and front portion of said
foot.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said movable
coupling means is attached to said slidable loop, said loop
slidably attached to said first strap and positioned at the
underside thereof.
4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first
strap encircles an entire front portion of said foot and includes
an adjustable fastening means.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second
strap includes an adjustable fastening means.
6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said
adjustable fastening means is a hook and loop fastener.
7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said
adjustable fastening means is a buckle.
8. An apparatus according to claim 2 additionally including an
exercise resistance device attachable to said coupling means.
9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said exercise
resistance device is a weight and pulley exercise system.
10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said
exercise resistance device is an elastic cord, said elastic cord
having varying elastic strengths to accommodate various exercise
needs.
11. An exercise apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said
elastic cord is a bungee cord having pre-selected tensile
strengths.
12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said movable
coupling means is a securing loop slidably attached to said first
strap at the underside thereof.
13. An exercise apparatus according to claim 12 additionally
including an exercise resistance device attachable to said coupling
means.
14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said
exercise resistance device is a weight and pulley system.
15. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said
exercise resistance device is an elastic cord.
16. An exercise apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said
elastic cord is a bungee cord.
17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said movable
coupling means comprises at least one hole through said first strap
on the underside thereof.
18. An exercise apparatus according to claim 17 additionally
including an exercise resistance device attachable to said coupling
means.
19. An exercise apparatus for use in exercising the muscles and
tendons of a user's leg comprising: a first strap adapted to form a
loop around the front portion of a foot of the user passing across
the underside of the foot in the ball-foot region thereof, said
first strap being adjustably securable on the upper side thereof by
a hook and loop fastener and having a movable coupling means at the
underside thereof for the attachment of an exercise resistance
means thereto; a second strap which is longer than said first strap
and is adapted to extend around the heel portion and along each
side of the foot of the user and attached at a front end to said
first strap, said second strap being adjustably securable along a
side portion thereof; an exercise resistance means attachable to
said coupling means; said first and second straps being configured
to fit around a user's foot; said first strap having a movable loop
or coupling means attached thereto, said loop movable to different
locations on the bottom of said first strap to provide the exertion
of pressure to different parts of said foot.
20. An exercise apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said
movable coupling means is a securing loop encircling said first
strap at the underside thereof and said exercise resistance means
is a bungee cord or resistance elastic tubing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to exercising devices and, in
particular, to an apparatus for exercising, conditioning and
strengthening the muscles and tendons in the leg. This application
is a Continuation-in-Part of patent application Ser. No. 09/487,933
filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Jan. 20, 2000.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Deterioration or injury of the lower leg area as an effect
of aging or from an accident or athletic injury commonly requires
physiotherapy and the use of specific apparatus designed to
exercise and condition the injured or deteriorated muscles.
Furthermore, such apparatus may be used by athletes or others for
strengthening or conditioning healthy muscles to inhibit weakening
or injury under stress. The apparatus may involve the attachment of
weights or other resistance to the leg, especially the foot, to
provide a variable weight resistance during the exercising of the
muscles. Various devices for this purpose are known in the
literature. Furthermore, various other devices and apparatus for
attachment to the foot area of a user for purposes other than
exercise, are known.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,850 to McNair discloses a strapping
device for holding ice cleats on to a user's foot to provide
traction as the wearer walks across a slippery surface, such as
ice.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,890 to Covell et al discloses an
anti-slipping attachment to be placed over shoes and held in place
by adjustable straps.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,919 to Timmer discloses an ankle
strengthening and rehabilitation device comprising a foot plate
attachable by adjustable straps to a user's foot and having a
fastener for attaching weighted discs or a proprioception balance
element.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,857 to Jennings discloses an apparatus
for applying lateral force to the leg joints of a person. The
apparatus comprises a cuff to hold the leg of a user and means to
attach the cuff to a substantially stationary object, such as a
heavy piece of furniture.
[0009] Other patents of interest to the present invention are U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,252,347 (Keeton), 1,543,346 (Titus), 5,626,544
(Foresto), 4,685,671 (Hagerman, et al), 5,558,604 (Olschansky, et
al), and 5,782,727 (Pierce).
[0010] The present invention has a structure different from all of
these prior art patents and many advantages over each of the
structures disclosed in said patents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
exercise apparatus for use in strengthening and conditioning the
medial, lateral, and anterior muscles and tendons of the leg,
especially the tibial and ankle areas.
[0012] It is a further object to provide an apparatus for
exercising the muscles and tendons of a user's lower leg that is of
simple construction and adapted for convenient use either in
professional exercise or physiotherapy facility or in the user's
home.
[0013] The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance
with the present invention which provides an exercise apparatus
comprising a first strap adapted to encircle the foot of a user,
passing across the underside of the foot in the region of the ball
of the foot; a second strap adapted to extend around the heel and
along each side of said foot and attached at each end to the first
strap; a movable coupling means on the first strap, positioned at
the underside of the foot to permit the convenient attachment of an
exercise resistance means for different portions of the foot and an
exercise resistance means attachable thereto.
[0014] The straps may be made of various strong, flexible materials
such as leather, cloth webbing, woven fabric, or various plastic
materials, preferably nylon, and the like. The straps may be made
of a moderately stretchable material such a rubber or plastic
material, to slip securely over the user's foot. However, in a
preferred embodiment, both the first and second strap include
adjustable fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners,
buckles and the like, to allow adaptation to various foot sizes,
and use on bare feet as well as on various types of footgear, such
as shoes, slippers, boots, athletic shoes and the like to allow the
apparatus to be easily and conveniently secured to a user's foot
and to maintain the apparatus securely in place during exercise.
The preferred adjustable fastening means are hook and loop
fasteners.
[0015] The movable coupling means may take the form of a securing
loop, encircling the first strap at the underside thereof, such as
a metal or plastic loop or ring, snap hook, or other device to
which the exercise resistance means may be securely, but removably
attached. In another embodiment, the movable coupling means may
constitute one or more holes, preferably three, in the strap,
optionally reinforced such as by a metal grommet, to permit the
attachment of an exercise resistance device. Optionally, a metal or
plastic ring or loop may be attached to each hole to provide a more
convenient coupling or attachment means. Alternatively, the
attachment of an exercise resistance device may be made by simply
hooking or tying the exercise resistance device, or a cord extended
therefrom, directly to the underside of the first strap.
[0016] Various exercise resistance means or devices may be employed
and attached to the exercise apparatus. For example, an exercise
resistance device such as a pulley system weight rack providing an
adjustable weight system for varying resistance requirements may be
employed. Various other exercise resistance or tension devices may
be employed, such as an elastic cord attached at one end to the
coupling and at the other end to a stationary unit, such as in an
attachment means in a wall of a room. The preferred exercise
resistance device, especially for convenient use in a user's home,
is a bungee cord.
[0017] The movable or slidable coupling means provides a secure
attachment but is adapted to slide or be repositioned to allow its
use in various directions with respect to the exercise resistance
means, allowing foot movement in different directions to exercise
different muscles and tendons. If holes in the strap are used as
the coupling means, it is preferred to position a hole in the
center region and one near each side to allow the positioning of
the attached exercise resistance device to be varied depending on
the particular exercise intended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] To further illustrate the present invention and the manner
in which it may be practiced, reference is made to the accompanying
drawing wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exercise apparatus
of the invention, in place around the foot of a user attached to an
exercise resistance, and positioned for exercising the muscles and
tendons of the leg by dorsiflexion and plantarflexion motions.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom view the apparatus of the invention in
position around the foot of a user with the foot oriented in a
direction for exercising the muscles and tendons of the leg by
eversion and inversion of the foot in a movement perpendicular to
the body of the user.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a yoking device for use in the present
invention to permit the exercising of both legs of the user at the
same time, especially for the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion
motions.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus of this invention with
different strength elastic cords or bungee cords.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, the exercise apparatus of the
present invention comprises a first strap 1 adapted to be
positioned in a loop around the forward region of a user's foot and
a second strap 2 adapted to extend along each side of the foot and
around the heel of the user. The two ends of second strap 2 are
attached to the first strap 1, for example, by sewing, riveting, or
other means as at 4a and 4b on each side. In a preferred
embodiment, each strap has an adjustable fastening means for
maintaining the apparatus securely on the foot during exercise. In
the embodiment shown, the first strap 1 is adjustably secured with
the aid of hook and loop fastener 3 and second strap 2 is
adjustably secured by means of hook and loop fastener 5.
[0025] The exercise apparatus may be secured around the foot of a
user in the manner depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. In use, the first
strap 1 encircles the foot of the user, passing across the
underside of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot and
adjustably secured to itself by means of a fastener, such as a
buckle 15 (FIG. 2), or preferably, a hook and loop fastener 3 (FIG.
1). The first strap 1 is held in place by means of second strap 2
which extends along each side of the foot and around the heel of
the user. The second strap 2 may also be adjustably secured by
means of a fastener, such as buckle 14.
[0026] On the underside of first strap 1 in the region of the ball
of the foot, a slidable securing loop 6, encircles strap 1,
optionally with an attached coupling means or fastening ring 7, to
provide an attachment point for an exercise resistance means, such
as an adjustable weight pulley system 10 (FIG. 2) or a bungee cord
13 (FIG. 3). The adjustable weight system 10 in FIG. 2, is
connected to securing loop 6 by a spring clip 8 and cord 9 which,
in turn is connected to weight 12 by means of pulleys 11 and
11a.
[0027] It is important and critical to this invention that the
coupling means be a slidable ring so as to make the various
exercises easy to perform. When the dorsiflexion exercise is
performed, the ring must be in the center 27 of the underside of
the foot in the region of the ball of the foot. When the inversion
exercise is performed, the ring must be on the outer edge of the
foot in the 29 or 25 region of the ball of the foot area depending
on what foot is used, i.e. left or right foot. When the eversion
exercise is performed, the ring must be on the inner edge of the
foot in the region of the ball of the foot 29 or 25, again, either
depending on what foot is used, see FIG. 1.
[0028] In order to vary between exercises, the user must change
his/her body position in relation to whatever stationary resistance
apparatus is being used (or the position of the resistance must
change around a stationary user--not realistic). When the user does
change position, the ring coupling means must also change position
on the foot. The ring coupling means 6 must be slidable so that the
user can change from each exercise to the next with ease and
perfectly correct positioning of the ring on the user's foot. A
slidable ring automatically slides into the perfectly correct
position on any user's foot; the same way water automatically seeks
its own level. It is a law of nature. This is especially important
because every person's foot is anatomically different from
another's. A stationary means of coupling would be too difficult to
use. Therefore, a slidable ring coupling means must be used. Again,
slidable ring 6 is critical to this invention.
[0029] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, holes 16a, 16b, and
16c are the coupling means to which hook 18 of bungee cord 13 may
be attached. In the particular embodiment shown, the attachment is
made at hole 16c near the inner side of the user's foot to permit
an exercise involving an eversive motion of the foot, in the
direction shown by the arrow.
[0030] Although the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 shows the use of
a securing loop 6 and spring clip 8 as a coupling means to connect
to the adjustable weight system 10, it will be understood that
various other attaching means may be employed. Thus, for example,
in a very simple form, the cord 9 could be directly attached by
simply looping around movable loop 6 on the strap 1 and securing in
place without the spring clip 8. In a similar fashion, a hook, such
as hook 18 at an end of the bungee cord 13 as depicted in FIG. 3,
could be hooked directly to a loop 6 attached to strap 1, with or
without the use of clip 8. However, it is highly preferred that a
securing loop 6 be used so that various parts of the foot may be
exercised. Optionally, holes, such as holes 16a-c, may be provided
and positioned to accept hook 18 at a position suitable for the
direction of motion to be used in a particular exercise. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other coupling
means may be used to accomplish the purpose so long as it is
movable or means to accommodate several locations to connect the
weight system 10 or the elastic cord 13. It is highly preferred,
however, that the movable coupling means 6 permit the apparatus to
be used in various directions to permit the exercising of various
muscles in the tibial and ankle regions. In the illustration of
FIG. 2, the user is positioned to exercise the muscles involved in
flexing the foot in a direction parallel to the user's leg. In a
different orientation, as in FIG. 3 (90 degrees from the position
shown in FIG. 2) the user may be positioned to exercise the muscles
involved in inversive or eversive movement of the foot against the
resistance of the exercise resistance device.
[0031] Various other arrangements may be made for exercising other
areas of the leg or for convenience in attaching the exercise
resistance means. Thus, for example, an elastic cord 13, such as a
bungee cord or elastic cord 13, could be looped around a leg of a
heavy piece of furniture and both hooks attached to securing loop 6
or directly to strap 2. Furthermore, the exercise apparatus may be
used from various positions. For example, the user may be in a
standing position, or sitting in a chair, or sitting or lying on
the floor during exercise. When the bungee cord 13 is used rather
than the weight rack shown in FIG. 2, it is very important to this
invention that the cords 13 be of different resistances for
different size and strength users.
[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, a yoke 24, as shown
in FIG. 4, may be employed to allow the exercise of both of a
user's legs at the same time. Yoke 24 comprises a rigid bar 21,
made, for example, of wood, metal plastic or the like, having an
attachment means, such as clips 22a and 22b, which may be of metal,
plastic, or other suitable material, at each end, and a centrally
positioned attachment means, such as ring 23. In use, clips 22a and
b are attached respectively to strap 1, for example at securing
loop 6 of the exercise apparatus on each of the user's feet and the
exercise resistance device is attached at ring 23.
[0033] In FIG. 5, a closed door or a heavy piece of furniture 30
can secure the resistance bands 13. The resistance bands 13 are
comprised of three to five individual pieces of rubber hollow
tubing or bungee cord with each having a different tensile
strength, less to greater. Each resistance band 13 is approximately
three feet long. Each band is connected to a metal or plastic
welded ring at the base of the resistance band unit (to be
described later) by a fastening means or a knot. A metal or plastic
clasp hook or other coupling means is connected to the other end of
each resistance band by a fastening means or a knot. The said clasp
hook or other coupling means is connectable to the slidable ring
coupling means at the underside of either of the first straps of
the two exercise apparatuses. Said apparatuses can be used
individually for certain exercises. The said clasp hook or other
coupling means is also connectable to the centrally positioned
fixed coupling means of the rigid bar yoke so that both exercise
apparatuses can be used at the same time.
[0034] The resistance bands 13 can be individually connected or
connected in any tandem combination to either slidable ring or to
the centrally positioned fixed coupling means of the yoke. This
allows the user to exercise with a variety of different resistance
strengths.
[0035] The aforementioned base of the resistance band unit is
comprised of a plastic, metal or wooden tube that is approximately
three inches long by two inches in diameter. Said tube is wrapped
by nylon webbing or other material as used in aforementioned
exercise apparatuses. The nylon webbing is also attached to the
aforementioned metal or plastic welded ring. Said ring is connected
to each resistance band. Said tube and, consequently, entire
resistance band unit can be securable by a closed door by sliding
nylon webbing of resistance band apparatus underneath a door and
closing the door on the webbing. This means that said tube is
closed on one side of the door, unable to slide under the door,
thus providing fixed resistance and the resistance bands will be on
the other side of the door for the user to attach to exercise
apparatuses.
[0036] The base of the resistance band 13 unit also comprises of
two pieces of nylon webbing or other material each approximately
3/4 inches wide by 12 inches long. Said pieces are attached to
nylon webbing or other material that is wrapped around
aforementioned tube. Said pieces can be tied or fastened by a snap
or other fastening device around the leg of a heavy piece of
furniture so as to provide the other means of fixed resistance for
the resistance bands.
[0037] In FIG. 5, in place of or in lieu of the weight rack 11, 11a
and 12 of FIG. 2, this FIG. 5 illustrates a bungee cord or
resistance bands 13. These resistance bands or elastic cords 13 can
be preselected depending upon the weight resistance desired. For
example, a blue elastic cord 13 or longer cord 13 have a resistance
of three pounds while a red cord 13 or shorter cord 13 may have a
resistance equal to five pounds. A woman or less muscular man or
beginner may want to start with a resistance band 13 of one pound
and eventually work up to ten pounds or higher. The elastic cord or
resistance bands 13 can be attached on one end to movable ring 6
and can be secured on the other end of a stationary object such as
the leg of a sofa, a pipe, a table leg or the like as shown as
support 30 in FIG. 5.
[0038] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *