U.S. patent application number 11/910324 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for calf exerciser.
This patent application is currently assigned to 9114 1135 Quebec Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephane Bedard, Jean-Francois Boulay.
Application Number | 20110152047 11/910324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37052889 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110152047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bedard; Stephane ; et
al. |
June 23, 2011 |
Calf Exerciser
Abstract
The present invention is dedicated to a calf exerciser including
a foot unit having foot-palm and heel support surfaces. The foot
unit provides efficient resistance training of calf muscles by
permitting both eversion or inversion movements of the foot-palm in
synchronization with the plantar flexion dorsiflexion muscular
contraction. This is achieved by inclining the foot-palm support
surface either towards the exterior or the interior sides of the
foot unit, by anteo-posteriolly curving the heel support surface
from the foot-palm surface to the bottom of the foot unit and by
including a gradual inclination of the heel support surface towards
the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, thus forming a
variable angulation foot sole gradient area. This variable
angulation foot sole gradient area accentuates the eversion and
inversion movements at the foot-palm and reduces the biomechanical
stress by eliminating coronal rotation at the heel.
Inventors: |
Bedard; Stephane; (St.
Augustin-de-Daemaures, CA) ; Boulay; Jean-Francois;
(Quebec, CA) |
Assignee: |
9114 1135 Quebec Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37052889 |
Appl. No.: |
11/910324 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 31, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2005/000488 |
371 Date: |
January 6, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/10 20130101;
A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 23/085 20130101; A63B 2208/0204
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. A calf exerciser comprising: at least one foot unit, each of
said at least one foot unit comprising: a heel section comprising:
a first heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a
left and a right edges, said first heel support surface anterior
edge forming a first downward left incline from said right edge to
said left edge, said heel support surface posterior edge forming a
second downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge
and said first heel support surface forming an anteo-posterior
curve; a second heel support surface having an anterior, a
posterior, a right and a left edges, said first heel support
surface anterior edge forming a first downward right incline from
said left edge to said right edge, said heel support surface
posterior edge forming a second downward right incline from said
left edge to said right edge and said second heel support surface
forming an anteo-posterior curve; wherein said first heel support
surface right edge and said second heel support surface left edge
are adjacent; a foot-palm section comprising: a first foot-palm
support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right
edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward left
incline from said right edge to said left edge; a second foot-palm
support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a right and a left
edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward right
incline from said left edge to said right edge; wherein said first
foot-palm support surface right edge and said second foot-palm
support surface left edge are adjacent; wherein said first heel
support surface anterior edge and said first foot-palm support
surface posterior edge are adjacent; wherein said second heel
support surface anterior edge and said second foot-palm support
surface posterior edge are adjacent.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
support unit for supporting said at least one foot unit.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said support unit
includes at least one guide and each of said at least one foot unit
further comprises a slider element moveably engageable to said at
least one guide.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said at
least one foot unit further comprises a locking element which is
operable with said support unit for stopping said foot unit from
moving.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot-palm
section comprises a single foot-palm support surface having an
anterior, a posterior, a left, and right edges and a pivot having
an axis of rotation oriented from said posterior edge to said
anterior edge such that said foot-palm support surface may be
selectively inclined either towards said left edge or said right
edge.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anterior
downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said first
foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at an
angle of 10 degrees.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said first
foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is
adjustable.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second
foot-palm support surface further forming a posteo-anterior
downward incline at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said second
foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at an
angle of 10 degrees.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said second
foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is
adjustable.
12. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first
foot-palm support surface downward left incline is at an angle
between 4 and 15 degrees.
13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said first
foot-palm support surface downward left incline is at an angle of 8
degrees.
14. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said first
foot-palm support surface downward left incline an is
adjustable.
15. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second
foot-palm support surface downward right incline is at an angle
between 4 and 15 degrees.
16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said second
foot-palm support surface downward right incline is at an angle of
8 degrees.
17. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said second
foot-palm support surface downward right incline angle is
adjustable.
18. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first heel
support surface first downward left incline is at an angle between
4 and 15 degrees.
19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said first heel
support surface first downward left incline is at an angle of 8
degrees.
20. The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said first heel
support surface first downward left incline angle is
adjustable.
21. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first heel
support surface second downward left incline is at an angle between
4 and 15 degrees.
22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said first heel
support surface second downward left incline is at an angle of 8
degrees.
23. The apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said first heel
support surface second downward left incline angle is
adjustable.
24. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second heel
support surface first downward right incline is at an angle between
4 and 15 degrees.
25. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said second heel
support surface first downward right incline is at an angle of 8
degrees.
26. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said second heel
support surface first downward right incline angle is
adjustable.
27. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second heel
support surface second downward right incline is at an angle
between 4 and 15 degrees.
28. The apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said second heel
support surface second downward right incline is at an angle of 8
degrees.
29. The apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said second heel
support surface second downward right incline angle is
adjustable.
30. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot-palm
section further comprises a left, a right and an anterior
walls.
31. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot-palm
section further comprise a harness to help maintain a foot of a
user in position.
32. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first heel
support surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal.
33. The apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein said ellipsoidal
curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length L and
height h: x 2 h 2 + y 2 L 2 = 1. ##EQU00002##
34. The apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein said height h may
be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F.times.L, where
0.25.ltoreq.F.ltoreq.2.
35. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second heel
support surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal.
36. The apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said ellipsoidal
curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length L and
height h: x 2 h 2 + y 2 L 2 = 1. ##EQU00003##
37. The apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said height h may
be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F.times.L, where
0.25.ltoreq.F.ltoreq.2.
38. A calf exerciser foot unit, comprising: a heel support surface
having an anterior, a posterior, a first side and a second side
edges, said first and second side edges being generally in
alignment with an anteo-posterior axis, said heel support surface
anterior edge forming a first downward incline from said first side
edge to said second side edge, said heel support surface posterior
edge forming a second downward incline from said first side edge to
said second side edge and said heel support surface forming an
anteo-posterior curve; a foot-palm support surface having an
anterior, a posterior, a first side and a second side edges, said
first and second side edges being generally in alignment with said
anteo-posterior axis, said foot-palm support surface forming a
downward incline from said first side edge to said second side
edge; wherein said heel support surface anterior edge and said
foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent.
39. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said foot-palm
support surface further forming a posteo-anterior downward incline
at an angle between 0 and 15 degrees.
40. The apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein said foot-palm
support surface posteo-anterior downward incline is at an angle of
10 degrees.
41. The apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein said foot-palm
support surface posteo-anterior downward incline angle is
adjustable.
42. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said foot-palm
support surface downward incline is at an angle between 4 and 15
degrees.
43. The apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein said foot-palm
support surface downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees.
44. The apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein said foot-palm
support surface downward incline angle is adjustable.
45. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said heel support
surface first downward incline is at an angle between 4 and 15
degrees.
46. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein said heel support
surface first downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees.
47. The apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein said heel support
surface first downward incline angle is adjustable.
48. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said heel support
surface second downward incline is at an angle between 4 and 15
degrees.
49. The apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein said heel support
surface second downward incline is at an angle of 8 degrees.
50. The apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein said heel support
surface second downward incline angle is adjustable.
51. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said foot-palm
support surface further comprises a first side, a second side and
an anterior walls.
52. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said foot-palm
support surface further comprises a harness to help maintain a foot
of a user in position.
53. The apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said heel support
surface anteo-posterior curve is ellipsoidal.
54. The apparatus as defined in claim 53, wherein said ellipsoidal
curve is expressed as a mathematical function of length L and
height h: x 2 h 2 + y 2 L 2 = 1. ##EQU00004##
55. The apparatus as defined in claim 54, wherein said height h may
be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F.times.L, where
0.25.ltoreq.F.ltoreq.2.
56. A calf exerciser comprising: A first foot unit, comprising: a
heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a
right edges, said heel support surface anterior edge forming a
first downward left incline from said right edge to said left edge,
said heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward
left incline from said right edge to said left edge and said heel
support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; a foot-palm
support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right
edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward left
incline from said right edge to said left edge; wherein said heel
support surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surface
posterior edge are adjacent; a second foot unit, comprising: a heel
support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right
edges, said heel support surface anterior edge forming a first
downward right incline from said left edge to said right edge, said
heel support surface posterior edge forming a second downward right
incline from said left edge to said right edge and said heel
support surface forming an anteo-posterior curve; a foot-palm
support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a left and a right
edges, said foot-palm support surface forming a downward right
incline from said left edge to said right edge; wherein said heel
support surface anterior edge and said foot-palm support surface
posterior edge are adjacent; and a support unit for supporting said
first and said second foot units.
57. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said support unit
includes at least one guide and each of said first and second foot
units further comprise a slider element moveably engageable to said
at least one guide.
58. The apparatus as defined in claim 57, wherein each of said
first and second foot units further comprise a locking element
which is operable with said support unit for stopping said first
and second units from moving.
59. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces further
forming posteo-anterior downward inclines at angles between 0 and
15 degrees.
60. The apparatus as defined in claim 59, wherein said first foot
unit, and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces
posteo-anterior downward inclines are at an angle of 10
degrees.
61. The apparatus as defined in claim 59, wherein said first foot
unit and said second foot unit foot-palm support surfaces
posteo-anterior downward inclines angles are adjustable.
62. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and said
second foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline
are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees.
63. The apparatus as defined in claim 62, wherein said first foot
unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and said
second foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline
are at an angle of 8 degrees.
64. The apparatus as defined in claim 62, wherein said first foot
unit foot-palm support surface downward left incline and said
second foot unit foot-palm support surface downward right incline
angles are adjustable.
65. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface first downward left incline and said
second foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline
are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees.
66. The apparatus as defined in claim 65, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface first downward left incline and said
second foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline
are at an angle of 8 degrees.
67. The apparatus as defined in claim 65, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface first downward left incline and said
second foot unit heel support surface first downward right incline
angles are adjustable.
68. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface second downward left incline and said
second foot unit heel support surface second downward right incline
are at angles between 4 and 15 degrees.
69. The apparatus as defined in claim 68, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface second downward left incline and said
second foot unit heel support surface second downward right incline
are at an angle of 8 degrees.
70. The apparatus as defined in claim 68, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface second downward left incline and said
second foot unit heel support surface second downward right incline
angles are adjustable.
71. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit foot-palm support surface and said second foot unit foot-palm
support surface further comprise a right, a left and an anterior
walls.
72. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit foot-palm support surface and said second foot unit foot-palm
support surface further comprise a harness to help maintain a foot
of a user in position.
73. The apparatus as defined in claim 56, wherein said first foot
unit heel support surface and said second foot unit heel support
surface anteo-posterior curves are ellipsoidal.
74. The apparatus as defined in claim 73, wherein said ellipsoidal
curves are expressed as a mathematical function of length L and
height h: x 2 h 2 + y 2 L 2 = 1. ##EQU00005##
75. The apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein said height h may
be expressed in terms of length L as: h=F.times.L, where
0.25.ltoreq.F.ltoreq.2.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a calf exerciser.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The world of physical training has greatly evolved over the
years, which has seen significant improvements in training
equipment and apparatus due to technological innovations as well as
a better understanding of the human body. Regardless of this
evolution, there are still some cases where the technological
development has not followed the course of the evolution in
knowledge or new physical training tendencies, and especially in
the case of leg resistance training.
[0003] A common complaint from athletes is that of a saturation
effect in the muscular development of their calves. For a number of
athletes, the muscular development efficiency curve quickly
saturates and tends to even decline after a few training sessions
based upon conventional training methods. As the calves represent a
very important muscular system for many sporting disciplines, and
that there are no apparatus or method that significantly improves
the efficiency of conventional training methods, there is a reel
need to provide such an apparatus.
[0004] Conventional calves resistance training techniques may
provide good resistance training in conformance with natural
movements if they are properly executed using appropriate
equipment. The efficiency of those movements is regretfully limited
because the training is geared mainly to the overall muscular
system. The muscular contraction of a single specific muscle is
very difficult to achieve with those types equipment. As may be
seen in FIG. 1, the prior-art equipment foot-rest (2), providing
support to the feet (4) of the user (6), is not appropriate for
effective power and strength training. The flat-uniform surface
with a 90 degree support area of the foot-rest (2) does not provide
the necessary stability and comfort for an intense training
session, does not restrain adequately the movement of the feet (4)
and does not emphasize proper biomechanical mobility of the ankle
joints during the exercise. After a number of repetitions, the feet
(4) have a tendency to move out of alignment with the natural axis
of the movement. Furthermore, the rectangular shape of the common
foot-rest (2) causes a pressure line at the metatarsals (8), which
obstructs blood flow, which becomes very uncomfortable for the user
(4). Finally, these foot-rests (2) do not allow a proper
positioning of the feet (4) in accordance with the specific anatomy
and the biomechanics of the leg-ankle-foot musculo-skeletal
mechanism.
SUMMARY
[0005] Accordingly, there is provided, in accordance with one
aspect of the present invention, a calf exerciser including a foot
unit having foot-palm and heel support surfaces. The foot unit
provides efficient resistance training of calf muscles by
permitting both eversion or inversion movements of the foot-palm in
synchronization with the plantar flexion dorsiflexion muscular
contraction. This is achieved by inclining the foot-palm support
surface either towards the exterior or the interior sides of the
foot unit, by anteo-posteriolly curving the heel support surface
from the foot-palm surface to the bottom of the foot unit and by
including a gradual inclination of the heel support surface towards
the exterior or the interior sides of the foot unit, thus forming a
variable angulation foot sole gradient area. This variable
angulation foot sole gradient area accentuates the eversion and
inversion movements at the anterior part of the foot (foot-palm)
and reduces the biomechanical stress by eliminating coronal
rotation at the posterior part of the foot (heel).
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a calf exerciser comprising:
[0007] at least one foot unit, each of the at least one foot unit
comprising:
[0008] a heel section comprising:
[0009] a first heel support surface having an anterior, a
posterior, a left and a right edges, the first heel support surface
anterior edge forming a first downward left incline from the right
edge to the left edge, the first heel support surface posterior
edge forming a second downward left incline from the right edge to
the left edge and the first heel support surface forming an
anteo-posterior curve;
[0010] a second heel support surface having an anterior, a
posterior, a right and a left edges, the second heel support
surface anterior edge forming a first downward right incline from
the left edge to the right edge, the second heel support surface
posterior edge forming a second downward right incline from the
left edge to the right edge and the second heel support surface
forming an anteo-posterior curve;
[0011] wherein the first heel support surface right edge and the
second heel support surface left edge are adjacent;
[0012] a foot-palm section comprising:
[0013] a first foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a
posterior, a left and a right edges, the foot-palm support surface
forming a downward left incline from the right edge to the left
edge;
[0014] a second foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a
posterior, a right and a left edges, the foot-palm support surface
forming a downward right incline from the left edge to the right
edge;
[0015] wherein the first foot-palm support surface right edge and
the second foot-palm support surface left edge are adjacent;
[0016] wherein the first heel support surface anterior edge and the
first foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent;
[0017] wherein the second heel support surface anterior edge and
the second foot-palm support surface posterior edge are
adjacent.
[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a calf exerciser wherein the foot-palm
section comprises a single foot-palm support surface having an
anterior, a posterior, a left, and a right edges and a pivot having
an axis of rotation oriented from the posterior edge to the
anterior edge such that the foot-palm support surface may be
selectively inclined either towards the left edge or the right
edge.
[0019] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a calf exerciser wherein the support
unit includes at least one guide and each of the at least one foot
unit further comprises a slider element moveably engageable to the
at least one guide and wherein each of the at least one foot unit
further comprises a locking element which is operable with the
support unit for stopping the foot unit from moving.
[0020] In accordance with a further still aspect of the present
invention, a calf exerciser foot unit, comprising:
[0021] a heel support surface having an anterior, a posterior, a
first side and a second side edges, the first and second side edges
being generally in alignment with an anteo-posterior axis, the heel
support surface anterior edge forming a first downward incline from
the first side edge to the second side edge, the heel support
surface posterior edge forming a second downward incline from the
first side edge to the second side edge and the heel support
surface forming an anteo-posterior curve;
[0022] a foot-palm support surface having an anterior, a posterior,
a first side and a second side edges, the first and second side
edges being generally in alignment with the anteo-posterior axis,
the foot-palm support surface forming a downward incline from the
first side edge to the second side edge;
[0023] wherein the heel support surface anterior edge and the
foot-palm support surface posterior edge are adjacent.
[0024] In accordance with a further still aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a calf exerciser foot unit with heel
support surface anterior and posterior downward inclines at angles
between 4 and 15 degrees.
[0025] In accordance with a further still aspect of the present
invention; there is provided a calf exerciser foot unit with
foot-palm support surface downward incline at angles between 4 and
15 degrees.
[0026] In accordance with a further still aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a calf exerciser foot unit with a
foot-palm support surface posteo-anterior downward incline at an
angle between 0 and 15 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a user training with a prior art calf
exerciser.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a user training with a calf exerciser.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an perspective view of the calf exerciser.
[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a foot unit.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled foot unit of
FIG. 3.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the partial foot unit and
showing the support surface in the right incline.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the partial foot unit and
showing the support surface in the left incline.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partial foot unit without
the foot palm support block and without the side walls.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the partial foot unit and
showing a support surface having both a right and a left
incline.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partial foot unit
separated into two parts, one having a right incline and another
having a left incline.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the foot unit of FIG. 5 where the side walls are replaced by a
support harness.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a side view of a foot unit module.
[0040] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an incline surface.
[0041] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a support unit.
[0042] FIG. 15 shows the calf exerciser being used in a free weight
configuration.
[0043] FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the calf
exerciser being used in a machine weight configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a user (6) training with
a calf exerciser (10) in accordance with a particular embodiment of
the present invention. The calf exerciser (10), as best shown in
FIG. 3, may comprise two foot units (100), which may accommodate
either foot, one for the left foot and one for the right foot, and
a support unit (200), each of which will be further described
below.
[0045] For the sake of clarity the right foot unit is described and
as such is generally positioned at the right of the support unit
(200). However, it is to be understood that the left foot unit is
similar to the right foot unit but that it is generally positioned
at the left of the support unit (200) and that the lateral and
medial references are interchanged. Furthermore, it is also to be
understood that the right side and the left side of the foot unit
(100) are in reference to a view from its heel portion to its foot
palm portion. Thus, when describing the right foot unit the lateral
(external) side corresponds to the right side of the foot unit
(100) and the medial (internal) side corresponds to the left side
of the foot unit (100). Similarly, if the left foot unit was to be
described, the medial (internal) side would correspond to the right
side of the foot unit (100) and the lateral (external) side would
correspond to the left side of the foot unit (100).
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exploded
perspective view of a foot unit (100). In the particular
embodiment, the foot unit (100), positioned at the right side of
the support unit (200), comprises a main module (110), an anterior
block (130), a foot-palm support block (140), a rod (144), a pair
of laterally spaced, opposed medial (146) and lateral (148) walls,
an anterior wall (149), a set of slider blocks (152, 156) and a
locking block (160). FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the various
components of the foot unit (100) assembled. The foot unit (100)
may be made, for example, of polymer, aluminium, steel, composite
material, carbon fiber, Kevlar.TM., fibreglass, hardwood or any
combination thereof.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, a heel lateral (external) incline (112)
and medial (internal) incline (114), as well as a foot-palm support
block (140) form a main module (110) support surface (150) that may
support the foot (4) of the user (6), imposing either an eversion,
i.e. towards the outside, or inversion, i.e. towards the inside,
movement during plantar flexion. This eversion or inversion
movement may be achieved by inclining the foot-palm support block
(140) either towards the exterior or the interior such that the
foot is placed on the exterior (lateral) or the interior (medial)
side, respectively, of the main module (110) support surface (150).
The support surface (150) may thus provide two different
inclinations, each corresponding to a specific muscular region of
the calf: the lateral inclination corresponding to calf muscles
associated with the eversion movement and plantar flexion such as
the lateral gastrocnenius, as shown by the grey zone identified by
numeral (151) in FIG. 6, and the medial inclination corresponding
to calf muscles associated with the inversion movement and plantar
flexion such as the head medial gastrocnenius, as shown by the grey
zone identified by numeral (153) in FIG. 7. The heel lateral
incline (112) and medial incline (114) have a posteo-anterior
curvature such that the their intersection with the foot palm
support block (140), when the foot palm support block (140)
inclined laterally or medially, respectively, forms a continuous
support surface (150) and have a 0 degree inclination at the bottom
of the main module (110). The resulting support surface is known as
the variable angulation foot sole gradient area. The variable
angulation foot sole gradient area has two functions: a first
function is to accentuate the eversion and inversion movements at
the anterior part of the foot, meaning the part of the foot
including the metatarso-phalangeal joint and the toes, which are
essential to an efficient resistance workout of the calf muscles
and the second function is to reduce bio-structure stress by
eliminating coronal rotation at the posterior part of the foot,
meaning behind the metatarso-phalangeal joint. In gradually
reducing the inclination of the support surface from the toes
towards the heel, the support surface (150) properly copies the
biomechanics of the foot.
[0048] In order to induce either an lateral or an medial incline to
the foot-palm support block (140), the main module (110) further
comprises a center pivot spine (116), as best shown in FIG. 8, and
two sets of matched inclination support surfaces; a set of lateral
inclination support surfaces (117, 121) and a set of medial
inclination support surfaces (118, 122). Each set of matched
inclination surfaces, (117, 121) and (118, 122), comprises a center
support surface (117) and (118) and an edge support surface (121)
and (122). The foot-palm support block (140) which has a palm
positioning area (141), is positioned on top of the center pivot
spine (116) and is held in place by a rod (144) passing through a
hollow channel (142) within the foot-palm support block (140), as
best seen in FIG. 4, and secured at one end by engaging a posterior
receptive cavity (124) in the main module (110), and at another end
by engaging an anterior receptive cavity (132) in the front block
(130), which is secured to the main module (110). In use, when the
weight of the user (6) is biased towards the medial side, the
foot-palm support block (140) pivots towards the inside until it
rests upon both the center (117) and edge (121) medial support
surfaces. Conversely, when the weight of the user (6) is biased
towards the lateral side, the foot-palm support block (140) pivots
towards the outside until it rests upon both the center (118) and
edge (122) lateral support surfaces. FIG. 6 shows the foot-palm
support block (140) in the lateral inclination state, while FIG. 7
shows it in the medial inclination state. As mentioned previously,
the description of the main module (110) as illustrated in FIGS. 6
and 7 assumes that it is used for the right foot of the user (6),
in the case where the illustrated main module (110) were to be used
for the left foot then FIGS. 7 and 8 would be showing the foot-palm
support block (140) in the medial and lateral inclination states,
respectively. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, the
foot-palm support block (140) may be incorporated into the main
module (110) so as to be fixed and have both an lateral incline
(143) and an medial incline (145). In another alternative
embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the main module may be separated in
two. In the case where this embodiment is used for resistance
training of the lateral part of the calf muscles (eversion movement
and plantar flexion), foot unit (100a) is used for the right foot
of the user (6) and foot unit (100b) is used for the left foot of
the user (6), both foot units (100a, 100b) creating lateral
inclines. In the case where this embodiment is used for resistance
training of the medial part of the calf muscles (inversion movement
and plantar flexion), foot unit (100a) is used for the left foot of
the user (6) and foot unit (100b) is used for the right foot of the
user (6), both foot units (100a, 100b) creating medial
inclines.
[0049] Optionally, a pair of laterally spaced, opposed medial (146)
and lateral (148) walls and an anterior (149) wall, as best shown
in FIG. 5, are provided so as to help prevent the foot (4) of the
user (6) from slipping out of position during use. In an
alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, the walls (146, 148, 147)
may be replaced by an adjustment harness (149) that supports the
exterior and the front of the foot (4) and immobilizes the foot
during plantar flexion movements. The height of the adjustment
harness may diminish gradually until it is minimal at the heel.
There is thus maximum support at the front of the foot and minimum
support at the tarsometatarsial articulation. This provides support
for the proper execution of the movement as well as the necessary
freedom in the final phase of the movement, this freedom being
essential to a natural plantar flexion. The adjustment harness
(149) may also be, for example, in the form of a partial training
shoe (not shown)
[0050] All of the calves muscle training movements involve
hyperdorsiflexion that bends the sole of the foot (4) in a concave
manner. The dorsiflexion curvature of the heel incline surfaces
(112, 114) renders this position comfortable by eliminating the
pressure line under the foot (4). This characteristic eliminates
the blood blockage sensation usually experienced with conventional
foot-rests (2), such as, for example, the one illustrated in FIG.
1. The posteo-anterior curvature (111) of the heel incline surfaces
(112, 114), as shown in FIG. 12, is mathematically determined in
order to adequately and effectively adapt to the biomechanics of
the foot.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, five basic parameters may be
used to specify the heel lateral (112) and medial (114) inclines;
the heel anterior inclination angle .beta., the heel posterior
inclination angle .delta., the posteo-anterior curvature (111),
length L and height h. It is to be understood that although FIG. 13
shows the heel anterior (.beta.) and posterior (.delta.)
inclination angles for the heel medial incline (114), the same
angles apply to the heel lateral incline (112). The posteo-anterior
curvature (111) may be expressed as a mathematical function of
length L and height h such as, for example, the equation of an
ellipse:
x 2 h 2 + y 2 L 2 = 1. Equation 1 ##EQU00001##
[0052] For practical purposes, the height h may be expressed in
terms of length L as:
h=F.times.L, where 0.25.ltoreq.F.ltoreq.2. Equation 2
[0053] In the particular embodiment shown, the length L is set to
110 mm and the proportionality factor F is set to 1.25. As it may
be understood, the expression of the posteo-anterior curvature
(111) is not limited to the mathematical function of Equation 1 and
may be expressed as, for example, other curvilinear mathematical
functions. It may also be understood that different values of
length L and proportionality factor F may be selected.
[0054] The remaining parameters .beta. and .delta. may be both set,
in the particular embodiment, at 8 degrees. In alternative
embodiments, .beta. and .delta. may be set from 4 to 15 degrees. In
a further alternative embodiment, the foot unit (100) may be
designed such that .beta. and .delta. are user (6) adjustable.
[0055] As may be seen in FIG. 12, the set of lateral inclination
support surfaces (118) and (122) may be downwardly inclined in the
posteo-anterior axis at an angle .theta.. It is to be understood
that in the event that the set of lateral inclination support
surfaces (118) and (122) are inclined at an angle .theta., even
though they are not shown, the set of medial inclination support
surfaces (117) and (121) will also be inclined downwardly in the
posteo-anterior axis at an angle .theta.. The posteo-anterior
inclination of the foot-palm support block (140) helps to improve
the stability and accentuate the hyperdorsiflexion of the foot (4)
during training movements because the increase in angular distance
between the heel lateral (112) and medial (114) inclines and the
foot-palm support block (140). In the particular embodiment .theta.
may be set at 10 degrees. In alternative embodiments, .theta. may
be set from 0 to 15 degrees. In a further alternative embodiment,
the foot unit (100) may be designed such that .theta. is user (6)
adjustable.
[0056] Referring back to FIG. 3, the two foot units (100) engage
with the support unit (200). This allows the user (6) to set the
spacing between each foot unit (100) as best suits him or her.
Furthermore, the support unit (200) provides stability to the calf
exerciser (10) during exercising.
[0057] The support unit (200), such as in the particular embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 14, generally comprises a base (202) supported
by a beam (204) connected to two or more legs (206, 208, 210). In
an alternate embodiment, the support unit (200) may not have any
legs (206, 208, 210) or beam (204) and thus have its base (202)
lying directly upon a surface. In a further embodiment, the support
unit (200) may be embedded within a Nautilus.TM. type mechanical
structure comprising resistance mechanism such as, for example, a
weight stack, elastics, etc. When the support unit (200) is part of
a mechanical structure, the central leg (210) may be replaced by a
connection to the mechanical structure.
[0058] On the base (202), between two end plates (212, 214) are
disposed, in a generally parallel configuration, a set of guides
(216, 218) and a rail (220), the rail (220) having a number of
slots (222) therein. As may be seen in FIG. 4, each main module
(110) comprises a recess (126) where are located the set of slider
blocks (152, 156) which are designed such as to be movably
engageable with the set of guides (216, 218) using corresponding
openings (154, 158), respectively. This ensures that each foot unit
(100) may move in a single translation axis.
[0059] Also, located in the recess (126) is a locking block (160)
which is positioned so as to be generally above the rail (220) when
the slider blocks (152, 156) are engaged with the guides (216,
218). The locking block (160) comprises a locking mechanism (162)
having a handle (164) operatively connected with a pin (166) which
is biased outwardly from the locking mechanism (162). The handle
(164) and the pin (166) are operatively connected such that pulling
the handle (164) as for effect the retraction of the pin (166) into
the locking mechanism (162). When the slider blocks (152, 156) are
engaged with the guides (216, 218), the locking block (160) is
positioned above the rail (220) in such a manner that the pin (166)
of the locking mechanism (162) is in alignment with and engages a
slot (222). The foot unit (100) is thus locked in place when the
pin (166) is engaged with a slot (222) and may be moved by pulling
on the handle (164), thus retracting the pin (166) into the locking
mechanism (162), so that the foot unit (100) is free to move along
the guides (216, 218). To lock the foot unit (100) in place once
more, the handle (164) is released so as to allow the pin (166) to
engage a slot (222) at the desired position along the rail
(220).
[0060] In use, the particular embodiment of the calf exerciser (10)
may be used in a free weight configuration, as shown in FIG. 15,
while its alternative embodiment may be used in a machine weight
configuration, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0061] Although the present invention has been described by way of
particular embodiments and examples thereof, it should be noted
that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that
modifications may be applied to the present particular embodiment
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *