U.S. patent application number 11/473587 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for lower extremity exercise device.
Invention is credited to Michael M. Soletski.
Application Number | 20070298949 11/473587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38874235 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070298949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soletski; Michael M. |
December 27, 2007 |
Lower extremity exercise device
Abstract
A portable, compact lower extremity exercise device, suitable
for exercising feet and legs of the user while the user is sitting
or standing with his/her heels on the floor or ground. The device
is adapted and configured to be used where foot space is limited,
such as at a desk, a work table, or in an airliner seat. The bottom
of the exercise device has first and second sides, and a rocking
surface between the sides and proximate the middle of the device.
Foot ramps at the top of the device, are spaced from each other and
angled downwardly toward the front of the device, thus downwardly
toward the user. The working unit can be suspended in a frame, and
the frame supported from the floor. The device is used by rocking
the device back and forth under the user's feet.
Inventors: |
Soletski; Michael M.; (Green
Bay, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILHELM LAW SERVICE, S.C.
100 W LAWRENCE ST, THIRD FLOOR
APPLETON
WI
54911
US
|
Family ID: |
38874235 |
Appl. No.: |
11/473587 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/146 ;
482/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/16 20130101;
A61H 2209/00 20130101; A61H 1/0266 20130101; A63B 23/085 20130101;
A63B 2208/0233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/146 ;
482/80 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/08 20060101
A63B023/08; A63B 22/16 20060101 A63B022/16; A63B 23/10 20060101
A63B023/10 |
Claims
1. A lower extremity exercise device, comprising: a top; a bottom;
generally opposing front and back sides extending between the top
and the bottom; and opposing ends; a length, defined between the
opposing ends, a width, defined between the front side and the back
side, a thickness, defined between the top and the bottom, a middle
of said lower extremity exercise device being defined generally
mid-way along the length between the opposing ends, the bottom
having first and second sides thereof associated with respective
ones of the ends of said lower extremity exercise device, the first
and second sides of the bottom extending toward each other, and
defining a rocking surface proximate the middle of said lower
extremity exercise device, and about which said lower extremity
exercise device can rock when said lower extremity exercise device
is placed on a floor, first and second foot ramps being defined at
the top of said lower extremity exercise device, spaced from each
other, foot-receiving surfaces of said foot ramps extending from
upper ends thereof, at the back side of said lower extremity
exercise device, downwardly toward the front side of said lower
extremity exercise device, to lower ends of said ramps.
2. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein first
and second sides of the bottom extend along generally mirror-image
paths toward the rocking surface.
3. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said
ramps extend in generally common directions.
4. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said
lower extremity exercise device is generally symmetric with respect
to the middle of said lower extremity exercise device.
5. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein a
distance from an underlying floor to said foot ramps, when both
said foot ramps are at a common height, is no more than about 7
inches to the lower ends of said foot ramps.
6. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein lower
ends of said foot ramps extend to the front side and wherein the
lower ends of said foot ramps are readily accessible to receive a
user's feet thereon.
7. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein, when
said exercise device is placed on a floor, the lower ends of said
ramps are positioned at heights relative to such floor, and said
ramps are inclined at corresponding angles relative to such floor,
such that a user sitting in a chair adjacent said lower extremity
exercise device can place heels of his feet on such floor and rest
balls of his feet on said ramps, with bottoms of such user's feet
generally extending along extensions of the foot-receiving surfaces
defined by said ramps.
8. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said
foot ramps define angles .beta. of about 5 degrees to about 15
degrees with respect to a front-to-back definition of the rocking
surface.
9. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein the
length is no more than about 17 inches and each of the width and
thickness is no more than about 2.5 inches.
10. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said
lower extremity exercise device is made of a plastic shell, and has
a central light-weight or hollow interior cavity defined inwardly
of said plastic shell, whereby said lower extremity exercise device
is light in weight and correspondingly readily portable.
11. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 1 wherein the
rocking surface is an arcuate surface, centered at the middle of
said lower extremity exercise device, the arcuate surface having an
effective rocking radius of at least about 0.13 inch, and extending
to planar surfaces which define at least substantial portions of
the first and second sides of the bottom.
12. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 11 wherein
relatively more remote portions of the planar surfaces of the
bottom function as stop surfaces which stop instantaneous rocking
motion of said lower extremity exercise device when the
corresponding more remote portions of the planar surfaces of the
bottom come into contact with an underlying floor.
13. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 11 wherein the
planar surfaces of the first and second sides of the bottom define
angles .alpha. of about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees with respect
to the upper ends of said ramps.
14. A lower extremity exercise device, comprising: a top; a bottom;
generally opposing front and back sides extending between the top
and the bottom; and opposing ends; a length, defined between the
opposing ends, a width, defined between the front side and the back
side, a thickness, defined between the top and the bottom, a middle
of said lower extremity exercise device being defined generally
mid-way along the length between the opposing ends, the bottom
having first and second sides thereof associated with respective
ones of the ends of said lower extremity exercise device, the first
and second sides of the bottom generally defining straight-line
wedges with respect to the top, and meeting each other proximate
the middle of said lower extremity exercise device, and defining an
arcuate rocking surface proximate the middle of said lower
extremity exercise device, about which rocking surface said lower
extremity exercise device can rock when said lower extremity
exercise device is placed on a floor, first and second foot ramps
being defined at the top of said lower extremity exercise device,
foot-receiving surfaces of said foot ramps extending from upper
ends thereof at the back side of said lower extremity exercise
device, downwardly toward the front side of said lower extremity
exercise device.
15. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 14 wherein the
first and second sides of the bottom define angles .alpha. of about
10 degrees to about 20 degrees with respect to the upper ends of
said ramps.
16. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 14 wherein the
straight line wedges of the sides of the bottom define stop
surfaces, and wherein a such stop surface stops the rocking motion
of said lower extremity exercise device when the respective stop
surface comes into contact with an underlying support surface.
17. A lower extremity exercise device, comprising: a top; a bottom;
generally opposing front and back sides extending between the top
and the bottom; and opposing ends; a length, defined between the
opposing ends, a width, defined between the front side and the back
side, a thickness, defined between the top and the bottom, a middle
of said lower extremity exercise device being defined generally
mid-way along the length between the opposing ends, the bottom
having first and second sides thereof associated with respective
ones of the ends of said lower extremity exercise device, the first
and second sides of the bottom extending along generally
mirror-image paths toward each other, and defining an arcuate
rocking surface proximate the middle of said lower extremity
exercise device, and about which said lower extremity exercise
device can rock when said lower extremity exercise device is placed
on a floor, the arcuate surface having an effective rocking radius
of at least about 0.13 inch, first and second foot ramps being
defined at the top of said lower extremity exercise device, spaced
from each other, foot-receiving surfaces of said foot ramps
extending from upper ends thereof, at the back side of said lower
extremity exercise device, downwardly in generally common
directions toward the front side of said lower extremity exercise
device, to lower ends of said ramps, said lower extremity exercise
device being generally symmetric with respect to the middle
thereof, and wherein a distance from an underlying floor to said
foot ramps, when both said foot ramps are at a common height, is no
more than about 7 inches to the lower ends of said foot ramps.
18. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 17 wherein the
first and second sides of the bottom define generally straight-line
wedges with respect to the top.
19. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 18 wherein the
length is no more than about 17 inches and each of the width and
thickness is no more than about 2.5 inches.
20. A lower extremity exercise device as in claim 17 wherein the
first and second sides of the bottom define angles .alpha. of about
10 degrees to about 20 degrees with respect to the upper ends of
said ramps and wherein the straight line wedges of the sides of the
bottom define stop surfaces, and wherein a such stop surface stops
the rocking motion of said lower extremity exercise device when the
respective stop surface comes into contact with an underlying
support surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates generally to exercise devices. It is
well known that prolonged sitting, such as at a desk or in an
airplane results in poor blood circulation in the lower
extremities, especially in the lower portion of the leg below the
knee and in the foot.
[0002] A known remedy for such poor circulation is to periodically
exercise the lower extremities. Where the person has the option of
periodically getting up and walking about, such walking exercise
can alleviate at least some of the poor circulation issues.
[0003] However, many people work at jobs which require that they
remain at their work stations for prolonged periods of time,
negating the option of getting up and walking around to address
such circulation issues.
[0004] For those who are unable to get up and walk around, it is
desirable that they engage into some form of exercise while in the
sitting position.
[0005] A variety of exercise devices are known which can be put
under a desk or table, such as at home or at work, thus to engage
the legs and/or feet in order to get the desired exercise. However,
such devices known to the inventor of this invention are so large,
or so heavy that they are inconvenient to work with, and/or too
large to be carried onto an airplane and placed under the seat in
front of the user. Thus, there remains a need for an exercise
device which solves the above described physical health problems
which attend the passive work environment.
[0006] A related problem of poor circulation exists among people
who have limited mobility for other reasons, such as those who have
foot or leg injuries or degradations, those who are too weak to
walk, the aged, those recovering from certain medical procedures,
and the like. Such people encounter the same problems with getting
enough exercise of the legs and feet to ensure proper levels of
blood circulation.
[0007] It would be desirable to provide a lower extremity exercise
device which is simple and convenient to use, and compact in size,
so as to be readily used under a desk, under a table, or under an
airplane seat.
[0008] It would be desirable to have such lower extremity exercise
device which is small enough, and light-weight enough to be readily
portable.
[0009] It would be desirable to have such lower extremity exercise
device which is adapted for use by medically challenged people such
as the handicapped, or adapted for use by those suffering from
temporary infirmity, or adapted for use by those recovering from
medical procedures, or adapted for use by the aged, or other
medically challenged people.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention provides a portable, compact lower extremity
exercise device suitable for exercising the feet and legs of the
user while the user is in a sitting position. The device is adapted
and configured, without limitation, to be used by a user sitting in
a limited-space environment such as at a desk, a work table, or in
an airliner seat. The exercise device has first and second sides. A
rocking surface is located on the bottom of the device, between the
sides and proximate the middle of the device. First and second foot
ramps are disposed at the top of the device, spaced from each other
and angled downwardly in a common direction toward the user.
Foot-receiving surfaces of the foot ramps extend downwardly toward
the front side of the exercise device, thus downwardly toward the
user. The device is used by rocking the device back and forth under
the user's feet by alternately applying and relieving force to
first one foot and then the other.
[0011] In general, the invention comprehends a lower extremity
exercise device, comprising a top, a bottom, generally opposing
front and back sides extending between the top and the bottom; and
opposing ends; a length, defined between the opposing ends, a width
defined between the front side and the back side, and a thickness
defined between the top and the bottom. A middle of the lower
extremity exercise device is defined generally mid-way along the
length between the opposing ends. The bottom has first and second
sides associated with respective ones of the ends of the lower
extremity exercise device. The first and second sides of the bottom
extend toward each other, and define a rocking surface proximate
the middle of the lower extremity exercise device, and about which
the lower extremity exercise device can rock when the lower
extremity exercise device is placed on a floor. First and second
foot ramps are defined at the top of the lower extremity exercise
device, spaced from each other. Foot-receiving surfaces of the foot
ramps extend from upper ends thereof, at the back side of the lower
extremity exercise device, downwardly toward the front side of the
lower extremity exercise device, to lower ends of the ramps.
[0012] In some embodiments, first and second sides of the bottom
extend along generally mirror-image paths toward the rocking
surface.
[0013] In some embodiments, the ramps extend in generally common
directions.
[0014] In some embodiments, the exercise device is generally
symmetric with respect to the middle of the lower extremity
exercise device.
[0015] In some embodiments, the distance from an underlying floor
to the foot ramps, when both foot ramps are at a common height,
e.g. the top of the device is horizontal, is no more than about 7
inches to the lower ends of the foot ramps.
[0016] In some embodiments, the lower ends of the foot ramps extend
to the front side and are readily accessible to receive a user's
feet thereon.
[0017] In some embodiments, when the exercise device is placed on
the floor, the lower ends of the ramps are located at heights
relative to the floor, and the ramps are inclined at corresponding
angles relative to the floor, such that a user sitting in a chair
adjacent the lower extremity exercise device can place the heels of
his feet on the floor and rest balls of his feet on the ramps, with
the bottoms of the user's feet generally extending along extensions
of the foot-receiving surfaces defined by the ramps.
[0018] In some embodiments, the foot ramps define angles .beta. of
about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees with respect to a front-to-back
definition of the rocking surface.
[0019] In some embodiments, the planar surfaces of the first and
second sides of the bottom define angles .alpha. of about 10
degrees to about 20 degrees with respect to the upper ends of the
ramps.
[0020] In some embodiments, the length of the exercise device is no
more than about 17 inches and each of the width and thickness is no
more than about 2.5 inches.
[0021] In some embodiments, the exercise device is made of a
plastic shell, and has a central light-weight or hollow interior
cavity defined inwardly of the plastic shell, whereby the lower
extremity exercise device is light in weight and correspondingly
readily portable.
[0022] In some embodiments, the rocking surface is an arcuate
surface, centered at the middle of the exercise device, the arcuate
surface having an effective rocking radius of at least about 0.13
inch, and extending to planar surfaces which define at least
substantial portions of the first and second sides of the
bottom.
[0023] In some embodiments, relatively more remote portions of the
planar surfaces of the bottom function as stop surfaces which stop
instantaneous rocking motion of the lower extremity exercise device
when the corresponding more remote portions of the planar surfaces
of the bottom come into contact with an underlying floor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a pictorial view of an exemplary lower
extremity exercise device of the invention, illustrating the top
and front of the device.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the exercise device taken at
2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of the device of FIG.
1.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the device of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the device of FIG. 1, as in FIG.
4, with a user's feet superimposed on the device.
[0030] The invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction or the arrangement of the components set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced
or carried out in other various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the terminology and phraseology employed herein is for purpose
of description and illustration and should not be regarded as
limiting. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like
components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a pictorial view of an exemplary lower
extremity exercise device 10 of the invention. The exercise device
has a top 12, a generally opposing bottom 14, a front 16, a back
18, and opposing ends 20. The front and back generally extend
between the top and the bottom. The ends generally define the
longitudinal extremities of the exercise device.
[0032] The device has a length "L" between ends 20, a width "W"
between front 16 and back 18, and a thickness "T" between top 12
and bottom 14.
[0033] A middle "M" of the exercise device is defined generally
mid-way along the length between ends 20.
[0034] Bottom 14 has opposing left and right bottom sides 22, 24 as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Between bottom sides 22, 24 is
rocking radius 26. In the illustrated embodiment, bottom sides 22
and 24, together with rocking radius 26 collectively define the
entirety of bottom 14. In other embodiments, bottom 14 can be
otherwise configured such that the bottom is not entirely defined
by bottom sides 22 and 24 and rocking radius 26.
[0035] Top 12, as illustrated, has foot ramps 28 disposed toward
ends 20 of the device, and a centrally-located foot spacing
platform 30 between the foot ramps. Foot ramps 28 extend, in planar
configurations, from upper ends of the ramps at or adjacent back
18, downwardly toward the floor or ground, and reach the lower ends
of the ramps at or adjacent front 16. The ramps typically extend in
common directions, typically within a common imaginary plane 31.
Accordingly, the bottoms of the feet 33 of a user of such exercise
device are typically in a common imaginary plane when placed on the
foot ramps.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, bottom sides 22 and 24 extend
toward each other along intersecting paths. Bottom sides 22 and 24
are illustrated as being planar from ends 20 to where they merge
into rocking radius 26. Where a bottom side is thus planar/flat for
a significant portion of the length of the bottom side, the
respective bottom side generally functions as a stop surface,
stopping the rocking motion of the exercise device when the
planar/flat portion of the bottom side comes into typically
interfacial contact with the underlying floor or the ground.
[0037] Bottom sides 22 and 24 can well have other surface
characteristics. The bottom sides can be represented by structural
framework rather than solid surfaces. Similarly, the front, the
back, and the top can be fabricated as other than solid surfaces.
Thus, there can be mentioned structural framing configurations
which carry corresponding foot ramps. The critical feature is the
foot ramps, associated with corresponding bottom sides in suitable
spatial relationships so as to enable the rocking motion exercise
contemplated herein, with the user in a sitting position.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates cross-grooving 32 in the rocking radius
portion of the bottom surface thereby to discourage "walking" of
the device on a textured floor such as on carpeting.
[0039] The exercise device of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 2 as having been made of wood. And indeed wood is an
acceptable material of choice in some embodiments. However, in
order to reduce weight, facilitate manufacture, and control cost,
the device can well be made of plastic, e.g. molded plastic. Such
device can be solid plastic. However, in the interest of
controlling cost, where continuous surfaces are contemplated to
enclose the exercise device, the central portion of the device is a
hollow cavity, or can comprise a central portion filled with a
low-density relatively rigid material such as expanded foam
polystyrene or other light-weight, relatively rigid, cost effective
material.
[0040] Yet further, the device can be made as a connecting series
of stringers and braces, as in bridge and/or truss construction,
with the foot ramps strategically located as illustrated in the
drawings, and properly supported with respect to strength. In such
instances, the quantity of material used can be optimized.
Similarly, such bridgework or truss structure can be readily molded
by plastic molding machines, and assembled as needed.
[0041] As illustrated in the drawings, rocking surface 26 is
optionally arcuate. While the rocking surface can have other
configurations, an arcuate configuration provides the least
resistance to the rocking exercise contemplated for the exercise
device disclosed herein. In that regard, a relatively larger
rocking radius generally facilitates the rocking activity. To that
end, the rocking radius typically, though not necessarily, defines
an effective radius of at least about 0.13 inch. "Effective radius"
of a stated dimension means a surface which enables the exercise
device to rock back and forth in an exercise action which
simulates, or approximates, the action of a radius of a
corresponding dimension. An illustrative, though not limiting,
efficient radius is about 2 inches to about 2.25 inches.
[0042] The effective radius can have any of a wide range of sizes,
so long as the radius is large enough to provide a smooth
transition from side to side, and so long as some stop structure is
provided in association with bottom 14.
[0043] The exercise device of the invention, as illustrated, is
symmetrical about middle "M". While such symmetry is not required,
symmetry typically accompanies devices of the invention and
facilitates their use.
[0044] Devices of the invention can be fabricated in a wide variety
of dimensions, so long as the dimensions are compatible with the
exercise activity contemplated herein. Thus, any length "L" can be
used so long as the feet can be separated, and so long as both feet
can be placed on the device at the same time. A typical, though not
limiting, length "L" is about 12 inches to about 17 inches. Typical
width "W" is about 1 inch to about 3 inches, commonly no more than
about 2.5 inches. Similarly, thickness "T" is typically about 1
inch to about 3 inches, commonly no more than about 2.5 inches.
[0045] Overall, a handy size device is about 15 inches overall
length "L", and 1.5 inches each in width "W" and thickness "T".
[0046] Typical width for the foot ramps, measured along length "L"
of the device, is about 4.75 inches, with a range of e.g. about 3.0
inches to about 5.0 inches.
[0047] With the exercise device resting on the floor, with both
ends at equal heights above the floor, thus with the top of the
device level/parallel with the floor, bottom sides 22, 24 define
angles .alpha. of about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees with respect
to the floor. An angle of about 15 degrees is found be about
optimal.
[0048] With the exercise device 10 in the orientation, relative to
the floor, as described immediately above, and as illustrated in
FIG. 3, each foot ramp 28 extends, from an upper end 34 at or
proximate back 18 of the exercise device, downwardly toward front
16 of the exercise device, at an angle .beta. of about 5 degrees to
about 15 degrees with respect to bottom 14 of the device, and
accordingly to the underlying floor. Angles of about 7 degrees to
about 8 degrees are found to be about optimal when the thickness of
the device is about 1.25 inch to about 1.5 inch. Each foot ramp 28
ends at a lower end 36 at or proximate front 16 of the exercise
device.
[0049] Typically, foot ramps 28 extend in generally common
directions, generally aligned with, or in, a common imaginary plane
31. In keeping with the contemplated uses of the invention, when
the exercise device is in a generally horizontal position, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, e.g. with both foot ramps at the same height
"H" above the floor, height "H" of the foot ramps at lower ends 36
is at heights which facilitate use of the exercise device when the
user is sitting, with his/her heels on the floor adjacent the
ramps. If the height is too low, the device is ineffective to
facilitate the desired level of exercise. If the height is too
high, the balls of the user's feet do not reach to the lower ends
of the ramps while the heels are on the floor. In the alternative,
the user can use the toes of his/her feet on ramps 28, which
extends the height range to a limited extent.
[0050] Another factor which affects the height "H" at the lower
ends of ramps 28 is the thickness "T" of exercise device 10
proximate ends 20, and specifically at ramps 28. The thicker the
device proximate ends 20 the less the vertical travel distance
between the top of the rocking action of the device, illustrated at
the right end in dashed outline on FIG. 3, and the bottom of the
rocking action, illustrated at the left end in dashed outline on
FIG. 3. Specifically, the critical dimension is the vertical
difference between the lower end of a ramp and the configuration of
bottom side 22 or 24 adjacent that ramp. Namely, the relationship
between the lower end of the ramp, and the adjacent bottom side 22
or 24 of bottom 14 of the device, establishes the extremities of
the vertical distance between the bottom of the rocking motion and
the top of the rocking motion.
[0051] At the bottom of the rocking motion, the ball of the foot
can approach floor level. At the top of the rocking motion, the
ball of the foot can be as high off the floor as the ball can go
with the heel still on the floor, and without overstressing the
available range of motion of the foot about the user's ankle. In
that regard, the upper limit of height "H" of lower end 36 of ramp
28, at the top of the rocking motion, as at the ramp on the right
side of the device in FIG. 3, is about 9 inches.
[0052] With the upper limit of the rocking motion established at
about 9 inches to lower end 36 of the ramp, the range of motion
between the upper limit and the lower limit is further established
by the position of bottom side 22 or 24 relative to the lower end
of the ramp. In the embodiments illustrated, the bottom side of the
ramp is about 0.1 inch to about 0.2 inch below the remote end of
ramp 28 at lower end 36. With the location of bottom side 22 or 24
thus established relative to a foot ramp 28, the vertical range of
the rocking motion can thus be determined.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiments, the lower end of the foot
ramp is typically between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch off the floor at
the lower limit of the rocking motion. Minor increments downward
can be achieved if desired. At the upper limit of the rocking
motion, the lower end of the raised foot ramp, as shown in dashed
outline on the right side of FIG. 3, is between about 6 inches and
about 7 inches off the floor. FIG. 3 illustrates the fact that
distance from the floor to the ramps 28 varies from the distal end
of the respective ramp to the proximal end of the same ramp. Thus,
the recited distances are approximations only, within the limits of
the rocking motion of the exercise device.
[0054] A comfortable range of motion, as measured at the lower ends
of the ramps most distal from middle "M" of the exercise device, is
about 0.25 inch off the floor at the lower limit of the range of
motion and about 2.5 inches off the floor at the upper limit of the
range of motion. Thus, an illustrative range of rocking motion,
without limitation, is about 2 inches to about 3 inches, from the
bottom the motion of an end 20 to the top of the range of motion of
that same end.
[0055] While a user's perception varies depending on what specific
part of the foot is on the ramps, as the ramps approach the floor,
the ball of the user's foot approaches the floor, whereby the user
can perceive that his/her foot has reached the floor. Thus, the
user may perceive a lower limit of the rocking motion as being a
situation where his/her foot is approximately in contact with the
floor.
[0056] As illustrated in the drawings, a typical such exercise
device is symmetrical about the middle "M" of the device, whereby
the left and right sides of the device are mirror images of each
other.
[0057] Angles .beta. are defined with respect to the bottom of the
exercise device. When the exercise device is placed on the floor,
the same angles .beta. also define the angles between the ramps and
the underlying floor. With the exercise device placed on the floor
with the ramps at a common height, the angles .beta. of the ramps
generally represent angles where the user can comfortably maintain
his/her feet on the ramps for an extended period of time, without
undue stress and/or discomfort. In that orientation, the user's
feet can readily be aligned with the angles .beta. of the ramps,
with the user's heels on the floor, such that the bottoms of the
user's feet, optionally wearing generally flat-soled shoes, define
angles approximating the same angles .beta. of foot ramps 28 with
the floor, whereby the user's feet are generally aligned with the
surfaces of the foot ramps.
[0058] As is discussed briefly following, while the exercise device
of the invention interfaces with the user's feet, the exercise
activity involved in use of device 10 provides substantial exercise
to the legs as well as to the feet.
[0059] Using the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, an
exercise device of the invention is used as follows. The user
places the exercise device on the floor in front of e.g. a chair,
within easy reach of the user's feet when the user is sitting in
the chair. The exercise device is oriented with the front of the
device facing the chair. In that orientation, the lower ends of the
ramps are closer to the chair than are the upper ends of the
ramps.
[0060] The user sits in the chair and places the heels of his/her
feet between the chair and the device, with the balls or toes of
his feet over the ramps. The user then places the balls or toes of
both feet on the ramps while maintaining his/her heels on the
floor. Assuming the user's feet apply equal weight on both ramps,
the equal weight maintains the ramps at approximately equal
heights. The user then places a relatively greater weight on one
ramp while placing a relatively lesser weight on the other
ramp.
[0061] As a result of the weight imbalance, the ramp which receives
the greater weight moves downwardly while the ramp which receives
the lesser weight moves upwardly, thus starting the rocking motion
which typically characterizes use of exercise devices of the
invention. For example, the left ramp moves down while the right
ramp moves up, as illustrated in dashed outline in FIG. 3.
[0062] The relative weight imbalance can be achieved by adding a
greater level of downward force to the ramp which is to move
downwardly such as by applying more weight, or by releasing some of
the downward force on that ramp such as by applying a lifting force
to that foot e.g. by applying a rotationally-upward force about the
ankle, thus lifting upwardly on the ball of the foot. In the
alternative, the relative weight imbalance can be achieved by
simply lifting the ball of the foot under which the ramp is to
rise. Yet further, the weight imbalance can be achieved by a
combination of applying weight/force to the ramp which is to move
downwardly while releasing weight from the ramp which is to
rise.
[0063] The left ramp reaches the bottom of its path of travel when
the left bottom side 22 of bottom 14 reaches the floor, as
suggested in dashed outline in FIG. 3. The user then reverses the
weight/force imbalance by applying relatively more force/weight on
the right foot ramp and relatively less force/weight on the left
foot ramp, which results in a reverse direction motion, namely the
rising of the left foot ramp and the downward motion of the right
foot ramp. When the right bottom side 24 of bottom 14 reaches the
floor, the user again reverses the weight imbalance, which again
moves the left side of the exercise device downwardly while the
right side moves upwardly. This process is repeated as desired,
resulting in a rocking motion of the exercise device, and
corresponding movements in the feet of the user, with cooperative
contraction and expansion of the muscles in the user's legs.
[0064] When the user uses the device of the invention in a sitting
position, and as desired, the user can raise his/her heels off the
floor, placing relatively more weight on the balls or toes of the
feet, thus on ramps 28. In this position, the user then uses
his/her leg muscles to raise and lower the legs, and thus the
corresponding ramps, to effect the above-described rocking motion,
but as an exercise primarily for building leg muscle as well as for
lower extremity blood circulation.
[0065] While exercise devices 10 of the invention have been
described in the context of use by a person sitting in a chair,
devices 10 can as well be used by a person who is standing in one
location for a substantial period of time. For example, a person
standing at a work bench can place the balls of his/her feet on the
device and rock the device back and forth at will in that one
location thus to exercise the legs and feet.
[0066] The invention as described above, and illustrated in the
drawings, is a stand-alone one-piece device. In an alternative
embodiment (not shown), the exercise device includes a supporting
frame. The exercise device shown is supported from the frame by a
rod or other supporting pivot structure which passes through the
middle of the device at an appropriate height, and thence extends
to supporting structures on the frame, which thus suspends the
working portion of the exercise device from the frame and
vicariously from the floor. The frame rests on the floor and
suspends the exercise device at a low height above the floor.
[0067] In such case, the amount of energy needed to activate and
rock the exercise device can be controlled and/or adjusted by
mounting extension springs or compression springs proximate the
ends of the device, and which springs extend e.g. from the top of
the device to the frame. Similarly, compression springs can be
mounted to bottom 12 of the device, and extend downwardly to the
frame. Finally, a combination of extension springs and compression
springs can be mounted proximate the ends of the device so as to
cooperate with each other, e.g. work against each other, in
defining the amount of force required to rock the device back and
forth, somewhat as described above. In a given such structure, the
springs can be arranged so as to work against each other, and
optionally so as to present the exercise device with the foot ramps
at a common height when the device is not under use load.
[0068] As desired, lesser-force springs can be replaced with
greater-force springs, or greater-force springs can be replaced
with lesser-force springs, in order to achieve the desired levels
of energy consumption, circulation stimulation, and muscle
development, as the device is being used.
[0069] In the suspended embodiments, the function of rocking radius
26 is taken over by the suspension system, whereby the exercise
device is supported by the pivot pin at middle "M", and the device
is not supported by contact between the bottom of the exercise
device and the floor. In such embodiment, rocking radius 26 is
obviated, and is omitted.
[0070] Those skilled in the art will see that certain modifications
can be made to the apparatus and methods herein disclosed with
respect to the illustrated embodiments, without departing from the
spirit of the instant invention. And while the invention has been
described above with respect to the illustrated embodiments, it
will be understood that the invention is adapted to numerous
rearrangements, modifications, and alterations, and all such
arrangements, modifications, and alterations are intended to be
within the scope of the appended claims.
[0071] To the extent the following claims use means plus function
language, it is not meant to include there, or in the instant
specification, anything not structurally equivalent to what is
shown in the embodiments disclosed in the specification.
* * * * *