U.S. patent application number 10/113195 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for device for assisting therapeutic lower leg, calf-muscle, ankle, foot and toe exercise for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (dvt).
Invention is credited to Flynn, Michael Richard.
Application Number | 20020142894 10/113195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9911998 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020142894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flynn, Michael Richard |
October 3, 2002 |
Device for assisting therapeutic lower leg, calf-muscle, ankle,
foot and toe exercise for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT)
Abstract
A lower leg exercise device (1) has an upper panel (2) and a
lower panel (3) which are hingedly attached together along opposing
longitudinal sides. A pair of elliptical forming panels (8) are
hingedly attached to the lower panel (3) and are each foldable
between a first position in which they lie substantially flat
against the lower panel, whereby the upper panel may be collapsed
flat against the lower panel for compact storage, and a second
position in which they engage between the first and second panels
in an upstanding manner so as to maintain the panels in spaced
apart relationship. In said second position, the loading applied by
the convexly curved upper and lower edges of the forming panels (8)
to the upper and lower panels (2, 3) results in said panels each
adopting a convexly curved shape. In use, the device is placed on
the floor in its erect configuration, the user placing their feet
on the upper panel and rocking the device back and forth on the
curved lower panel.
Inventors: |
Flynn, Michael Richard;
(Scotland, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle, Anderson &
Citkowski, P.C.
280 N. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 400
Birmingham
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
9911998 |
Appl. No.: |
10/113195 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/121 ;
482/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2209/00 20130101;
A63B 2022/0033 20130101; A63B 22/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/121 ;
482/131 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02; A63B
021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 2001 |
GB |
GB 0108123.1 |
Claims
1. A lower leg exercise device comprising a first and a second
panel which are hingedly connected together along a first pair of
opposing edges, and at least one forming panel which is movable
between a first position in which said first and second panels lie
substantially flat against each other, and a second position in
which at least one of said first and second panels adopts a
convexly curved shape.
2. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one forming panel is a rib member which, in said second
position, engages between said first and second panels
substantially perpendicularly thereto so as to maintain said panels
in spaced apart relationship.
3. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one forming panel is pivotally connected to one of said first
and second panels for pivotal movement between said first position,
in which the at least one forming panel lies substantially coplanar
with said one of said first and second panels, and said second
position in which the at least one forming panel projects
substantially perpendicularly between said first and second
panels.
4. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 3, wherein at
least one of said first and second panels includes at least one
integrally formed actuating flap which is connected to its
associated panel along a hinge line and which is foldable about
said hinge line between a first position in which the at least one
flap engages in a complimentary shaped access opening formed in its
associated panel, and a second position in which the at least one
flap extends substantially vertically between said first and second
panels, the at least one forming panel being attached to the at
least one actuating flap.
5. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the at
least one forming panel is hingedly attached to an end edge of one
of the first and second panels.
6. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 5, further
comprising at least one forming panel disposed on each end of the
device.
7. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one forming panel includes at least one convexly curved edge,
which, in said second position, engages against one of said first
and second panels so as to deform said one panel into a convexly
curved shape.
8. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 7, wherein the at
least one forming panel is elliptical in shape such that, in said
second position, both said first and second panels are deformed
into a convexly curved shape.
9. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, further
comprising stop means disposed on at least one of said first and
second panels for facilitating positioning of the at least one
forming panel in said second position.
10. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said
first and second panels are hingedly connected along said first
pair of opposing edges by a web of flexible material.
11. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 10, wherein the
flexibility of said hinge material is greater than the flexibility
of said first and second panels.
12. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, further
comprising a pair of forming panels which are spaced longitudinally
along the device.
13. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1, wherein when
the at least one forming panel is in its first position, the first
and second panels are collapsible substantially flat against each
other for compact storage.
14. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the
first and second panels are connected together along a second pair
of opposed edges spaced apart from said first pair of opposed
edges.
15. A lower leg exercise device according to claim 10 where said
first and second panels are hingedly connected along each of said
first and second pair of opposed edges by a web of flexible
material.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of British Patent
Application GB 0108123.1 filed Mar. 30, 2001, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for facilitating
exercise of the lower leg, calf-muscle, ankle, foot, and toe in
order to help to reduce the risks of deep vein thrombosis, for
example during long commercial airline flights.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a medical problem which is
related to lack of exercise of certain vital muscles in the legs
which aid pumping blood back up the body from the feet and the
lower legs to the heart, and can be associated with periods of
prolonged stasis or inactivity, for example as a result of
immobility after medical treatment, during long car journeys and
also when travelling on long-haul flights, during which passengers
typically remain seated for long periods of time, when the muscles
of the lower legs and feet are not worked. This can lead blood to
pool in the lower legs, which, in some cases, can result in blood
clots forming, and this, in turn, carries the danger of one of the
clots breaking off and travelling through the body to the lungs
where it can cause a Pulmonary Embolism--a potentially fatal
condition. Exercise of the lower leg has been shown medically to
reduce the risk of DVT. To reduce the risk of DVT to airline
passengers, then, it now being recommended that, whilst on-board,
passengers should ensure that regular exercise of the lower legs
and feet is undertaken to help improve circulation, the most
obvious form of which is to walk up and down the aisles at regular
intervals. However, it is generally undesirable to have large
numbers of people moving around an aircraft during flight since it
can lead to further safety risks to the passengers, for example as
a result of unexpected turbulence, and also causes disruption to
the cabin crew trying to carry out their duties as a result of
inevitable congestion of the aisles.
[0004] A number of devices have, therefore, been proposed for
enabling exercise of the lower legs and feet to be carried out
whilst the user is stationary. However, these known devices
typically suffer the disadvantages of bulk, weight, and complexity
of manufacture and operation. Some devices also need to be inflated
prior to use and then deflated after use for storage. Furthermore,
these known devices often require considerable space for operation
and the need for specialised knowledge or qualified guidance for
effective operation.
[0005] Once such known device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,159,111 and comprises a treadle apparatus including a base with a
pair of foot pedals pivotally mounted thereon which are operated by
the user through a stepping motion of the feet. This device has the
drawback, however, that it is bulky and hence difficult both to
store and also to use within a confined area such as in the
passenger seating area of an aircraft.
[0006] Another device is known which has a pair of foot pedals
pivotally mounted on a base with a rocking arm extending
therebetween so as to constrain the pedals to move in opposite
directions in a stepping motion. Furthermore, the rocking arm is
removable and the base foldable so as to enable the device to be
collapsed for compact storage. However, this device is again bulky
when in its erect configuration, making it difficult to use
effectively within the confines of an aircraft cabin, and is also
very difficult to erect and collapse.
[0007] An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide
an effective device which permits individual exercise of the lower
leg and feet within a restricted area. It is also an object to
provide a device which requires minimal storage space when in its
collapsed state.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided an
exercise device which is free standing and foldable with at least a
convex lower, and preferably also a convex upper surface. More
particularly, the present invention provides a lower leg exercise
device comprising a first and a second panel which are hingedly
connected together along one pair of opposing edges, and at least
one forming panel which is movable between a first position in
which said first and second panels lie substantially flat against
each other, and a second position in which at least one of said
first and second panels adopts a convexly curved shape.
[0009] A lower leg exercise device in accordance with the invention
has the advantage that it provides a simple and effective means for
exercising the lower legs and feet within a confined space which is
light weight, enabling a rocking motion to be executed which has
been found to provide effective exercise for the lower leg,
calf-muscle, ankle, foot and toes for reducing the risk of DVT, and
can easily be folded flat for compact storage and carriage in a bag
or in the pocket of a seat. It is also quick and easy to erect for
use and is cheap and simple to manufacture.
[0010] Preferably, the or each forming panel takes the form of a
hinged internal shaping former which is placed between the upper
and lower surfaces, which, in the second position, applies a load
to the first and second panels which deforms at least one thereof
into a convexly curved shaped, which deformed panel then provides a
rocking surface for executing the design exercise. In particular,
the device advantageously includes a pair of longitudinally spaced
forming panels which are realised as rib members that, in the
second position, engage between inner surfaces of the first and
second panels substantially perpendicularly thereto so as to
maintain said panels in spaced apart relationship. This arrangement
has the advantage that a particularly effective support system for
the erect device is produced. Furthermore, the forming panels are
preferably pivotally connected to one of the first and second
panels by means of a suitable hinge system and are pivotally
moveable about said hinge between said first and second positions.
This has the advantage of producing a self contained device which
is particularly compact and to which all the necessary parts are
permanently fastened, thereby eliminating the risk of essential
components becoming lost.
[0011] The connection between the forming panels and the main
panels may be particularly effectively achieved by providing
integrally formed actuating flaps and associated access openings in
the first panel. Each said actuating flap then has attached thereto
one of the forming panels and is pivotally moveable about a hinge
line between a first position in which it engages in its associated
opening and the attached forming panel lies substantially flat
against the inner surface of first panel and a second position in
which it extends towards the inner surface of the second panel, the
attached forming panel engaging said second panel and retaining the
device in its erect configuration. In this way, the access openings
enable the forming panels easily to be moved manually from the
first to the second positions and the open ends of the device then
facilitate the return movement to the collapsed configuration when
the exercise is completed.
[0012] In an alternative arrangement, a forming panel may be
pivotally attached to the end edges of one or possibly both of the
first and second panels for engagement, in their second positions,
in the open ends of the device, which arrangement is particularly
cheap and simple to manufacture.
[0013] The forming panels may be shaped with at least one convexly
curving edge which engages with said at least one first or second
panel and distorts it into a convexly curved shape. In the
preferred embodiment, the forming panels may be elliptically shaped
resulting in both the first and second panels adopted a convexly
curving shape. This has the advantage that in addition to the floor
engagement surface being curved for enabling rocking motion to be
executed, the foot engagement surface is also curved, which has
been found to further increase the effectiveness of the
exercises.
[0014] Correct assembly of the device from the collapsed
configuration may be further simplified by provision of stops on
the inner surface of one of the first and second panels which
prevent the forming panels being pivotally moved beyond the correct
second positions.
[0015] The device may be constructed from a variety of different
materials including, but not limited to plastic, card, corrugated
card or plastic or the like. It is also advantageous for the
material to be non-slip or have reduced slip properties so as to
prevent sliding movement between the device and the operating
surface and also between the device and the operator's feet.
Alternatively, a reduced or non-slip finish could be applied to the
outer surfaces of the first and second panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order that the invention may be well understood, there
will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of
example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a device according to
the invention in an erect configuration;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in
an erect configuration showing the forming panels in phantom;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in its erect
configuration;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an end view of the device of FIG. 1 in its erect
configuration;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1 in its erect
configuration;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in a collapsed
configuration;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1 in its
collapsed configuration;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an end view of the device of FIG. 1 in a collapsed
configuration;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
device according to the invention in a semi-erect
configuration;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a
collapsed configuration;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a
collapsed configuration; and
[0028] FIGS. 12 to 14 are top, side and end views, respectively, of
the second embodiment in an erect configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a lower leg
exercise device 1 which comprises an upper panel 2 and a lower
panel 3 joined together along opposing longitudinal edges 4, 5 by
means of hinges 7, which, in the illustrated embodiment, take the
form of flexible webs of material. These webs may be integrally
formed with the upper and/or lower panels or may be separately
attached thereto. In FIG. 1, the device is illustrated in an erect
position in which a pair of forming panels 8 are engaged
transversely between the upper and lower panels 2, 3 and at
opposite ends of the device so as to maintain the panels 2, 3 in
spaced apart relationship. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the
forming panels 8 are elliptical in shape and take the form of ribs
which engage with an upper curved edge 9 against the upper panel 2
and a lower curved edge 10 against the lower panel 3 so that said
upper and lower panels 2, 3 are urged into a convex shape, the
hinges 7 allowing the panels 2, 3 to move apart to form the device
into an elliptical cross-section as shown in FIG. 4.
[0030] As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the forming panels 8
are, themselves, pivotally connected to the lower panel 3 by means
of hinged operating panels 12. In particular, the operating panels
12 are integrally formed with the lower panel 3, and, by means of a
fold line 13, are each foldable between a first position in which
they are substantially co-planar with the lower panel 3, engaging
in access openings 14 formed therein, and a second position in
which they extend substantially perpendicularly from the lower
panel 3 towards the upper panel 2, each said operating panel 12
having attached to it one of said forming panels 8. In this way,
when the operating panels are in their first positions folded into
the access openings 14 in the lower panel 3, the forming panels lie
substantially flat with the lower panel 3 as shown in FIG. 7,
wherein the upper panel 2 lies against the lower panel 3 with the
forming panels 8 positioned therebetween and the device is
collapsed for compact storage.
[0031] In order to erect the device for operation, the operating
panels 12 are manually pressed from the first position towards the
upper panel using access opening 14 formed in the lower panel 3.
This results in their pivoting about fold lines 13 towards their
second positions shown in FIG. 2, during which movement the upper
and lower panels 2, 3 are urged apart into convexly curved shapes,
resulting in the device assuming an elliptical shape shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. Retaining stops 15 are provided on the inner surface of
the upper panel which prevent the forming panels being moved beyond
their perpendicular positions.
[0032] Once so erected, the device is positioned with the lower
panel 3 on any working surface. The operator then places the feet
on the curved upper surface of the upper panel 2 and exercises by
using the toes and heels to rock the device back and forth.
[0033] Upon completion of exercises, the device is returned to its
flat configuration by the operator inserting their fingers through
the open ends of the device and manually pivotally moving the
forming panels 8 away from the retaining stops 15 and back into
flat engagement with the lower panel 3.
[0034] It will, of course, be understood that although the
described embodiment includes two forming panels which are spaced
longitudinally along the device, preferably at positions which
coincide with the points at which the feet of the operator will be
applied to the upper panel 2 so as to ensure that maximum support
is provided for the loading which will be applied by the operator
to the upper surface during use, it is also possible to use just a
single former located centrally of the device in order to maintain
the device in the necessary shape for operation. The or each
forming panel may also be connected to the upper panel instead of
the lower panel. Furthermore, instead of being located part way
along the device as in the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, the
forming panels may instead be pivotally attached to the end edges
of the upper and/or lower panels.
[0035] In particular, in an alternative embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 9 to 14, the device 101 includes four forming panels 108
attached to each end of the upper panel 102 and the lower panel 103
along fold lines 104. In order to erect the device according to
this embodiment for operation, the longitudinal sides 105, 106 of
the device are pressed towards each other, which, due to the
flexibility of the upper and lower panels, causes said panels to
bow convexly away from each and hence the device 101 to adopt an
elliptical shape. The forming panels 108 carried on each end of the
device are then folded along the now convexly curved fold lines 104
into the elliptical mouth at each end of the device so as to
overlap each other, each said panel extending across the whole of
the open mouth of the device, whereupon the device will be held in
the erect configuration. Secondary flaps 109, as shown in FIGS.
10-14, may also be provided on the forming panels 108 to assist in
fixing them in place, although other methods may also be used such
as locating studs or grooves. Due to the fact that, in the erect
configuration, the hinge lines connecting the forming panels to the
upper and lower panels 102, 103 will be curved, each panel will,
when folded into the device, adopt a concavely curved shape, making
them difficult to grasp in order to withdraw them from the ends of
the device when collapsing it. For this reason, cut-out portions
110 are provided on the forming panels to facilitate their removal
from the ends of the device 101. It will, of course, be understood
that the cut-out portions may be replaced by other means for
facilitating withdrawal of the panels such as tags for the like.
For example, actuating tags may be provided on the forming panels
so as to facilitate their movement between the first and second
positions by the operator.
[0036] Of course, it will be understood that the hinged forming
panels of the above described embodiments may be replaced by panels
which are detachable from the device and simply inserted into the
device and removed therefrom through the mouth formed at each end
by the spaced apart transverse edges of the upper and lower
panels.
[0037] In another embodiment of the invention which is not
illustrated, the transversely extending rib type forming panels are
replaced by a single forming panel which is located midway between
the hinged edges of the upper and lower panels and which extends
longitudinally along the device so as to engage the upper and lower
panels along their longitudinal centre lines only, the rigidity of
the material of the upper and lower panels then resulting in said
panels adopting convexly curving shapes. The forming panel in this
case may again be pivotally attached, by means of a suitable hinge,
to the upper or lower panel or may instead be formed as a separate
component which is inserted through the end of the device in a flat
orientation and then rotated through 90 degrees so as to urge the
longitudinal centre lines of the upper and lower panels apart.
* * * * *