DEVICE FOR TRAINING THE MUSCLES OF THE SOLE OF THE FOOT

Abstract

A device for training the muscles of the sole of a foot, comprises a base, the upper face of which provides a standing surface for both soles of the feet from the heels to the balls of the feet, and a toe support, which is movably arranged on the base adjacent to the ball region of the standing surface. The toe support is arranged at one end of at least one projecting leaf spring, the other end of which is secured to the base. The at least one leaf spring is supported in its central region on a support slide which is mounted on the base in a manner adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring/s.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosed subject matter relates to a device for training the muscles of the sole of the foot, comprising a base, the upper face of which provides a standing surface for the soles of both feet from the heels to the balls of the feet, and a toe support, which is movably arranged on the base adjacent to the ball region of the standing surface, wherein the toe support is arranged at one end of at least one projecting leaf spring, the other end of which is secured to the base.

BACKGROUND

A device of this kind is known from JP 2022011573 A. A similar device, but without a standing surface for the soles of the feet, is described in DE 10 2014 113 458 B3.

In devices known from JP 10179793 A, JP 2015-221202 A, US 2012/0190515 A1 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,861, the toe support is pivotably hinged to the ball-side end of the standing surface via a hinge and acted on by means of separate springs, elastic elements or weights, to form a “pedal” that can be pressed down by the toes. However, the hinge bearing of the toe support causes a physiologically mismatched movement of the toe support, i.e. it does not follow the anatomical movement of the toes correctly when the muscles of the sole of the foot are tensed and the arch of the foot is curved, which impairs the physiotherapeutic training effect of the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The objective of the disclosed subject matter is to create a training device for the muscles of the sole of the foot which enables ergonomic and effective training.

This objective is achieved by a device of the kind mentioned at the outset, which is distinguished according to the disclosed subject matter in that the at least one leaf spring is supported in its central region on a support slide, which is mounted on the base in a manner adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the leaf spring/s.

The arrangement of the toe support at the end of a projecting leaf spring according to the disclosed subject matter enables a movement of the toe support that follows the curvature of the foot arch anatomically correctly when the muscles of the sole of the foot are tensed and the associated toe movement, thus achieving training that is physiologically particularly gentle and efficient. By means of the support slide both the counter force and the curvature of the leaf spring/s can be adjusted. This allows the device to be adjusted on the one hand to people with varying muscle strength and/or to different training tasks. On the other hand, the curvature of the leaf spring can be adjusted when the toe support is actuated so that it is optimally adapted to the pivot point of the big toe joint, for example to take into account or treat misalignments of the big toe such as hallux valgus.

Optionally, said other end of the leaf spring is fixed to at the base near the heel region of the standing surface. The leaf spring thus extends over the entire length of the plantar tendon of the arch of the foot up to the toe support, so that it implicitly follows the curvature of the arch of the foot when the toe rest is actuated. In addition, a particularly compact structure of the device is achieved, as the longitudinal extension of the leaf spring can be accommodated along the installation space available at the base for the standing surface from the heels up to the balls of the feet.

In order to optimally adjust the curvature of the leaf spring to the pivot point of the big toe joint when the toe support is actuated, for example to take into account or treat misalignments of the big toe such as hallux valgus, it is particularly advantageous if the upper face of the support slide slopes down towards the toe support, e.g. in a rounded form.

The support slide can be adjusted for example by means of grip tabs, manual pushers, actuating rods etc. which are accessible via corresponding openings in the base. In some embodiments however, the support slide can be adjusted by means of a threaded spindle mounted rotatably on the base, which enables a particularly sensitive adjustment of the position of the support slide along the leaf spring/s.

According to a further optional feature of the disclosed subject matter the standing surface can be formed by two spaced apart standing plates, between which the at least one leaf spring extends from the heel region to the ball region and beyond. As a result, the space remaining between the feet when standing in a relaxed position can be used as an installation space for the leaf spring.

In an optional embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, two leaf springs extending in parallel to one another can be provided. This achieves better lateral stabilization of the toe support when it is pressed down.

The toe support can be a cross bar for example that is pressed down by the toes in the manner of a toe pedal. Optionally, the toe support is formed by a cross bar, which is mounted in its center on the at least one leaf spring. Due to its rounded shape, the bar form allows the toes to roll on it when pressing down.

For this purpose, it is also particularly advantageous if a sleeve is rotatably mounted on each end of the cross bar so that there is no friction between the toes and the toe support when the toes are pressing down. As the sleeves rotate relative to the cross bar, they can be provided with a non-slip coating so that the toes can roll without slipping when they are pressed down, which is particularly beneficial for protecting the big toes.

The leaf spring/s in the position of rest of the device can extend parallel to the standing surface, i.e. in particular horizontally, and in the same plane as the standing surface, below it or alternatively above. In an alternative embodiment of the disclosed subject matter each leaf spring in its position of rest can be inclined downwards at an angle of 5° to 30°, e.g. at an angle of 10° to 20°, optionally at an an angle of around 15°, to the standing surface towards the toe support. In this way it is possible for the toe support to lie at the end of the leaf spring/s level with or below the plane of the standing surface or slightly above it. The user thus does not need to bend the toes excessively in the starting position, i.e. before pressing down on the toe support.

The inclined position of the leaf spring/s is particularly favorable in conjunction with a toe support in the form of a crossbar, on which the leaf spring/s engage radially so that the upper end of the crossbar does not protrude or protrudes only slightly above the plane of the standing surface.

If desired, each leaf spring can be combined with at least one auxiliary leaf spring to form a leaf spring assembly to increase the spring force. One end of each auxiliary leaf spring can be mounted on the toe rest and the other end can slide on the respective leaf spring or in a sliding guide of the base.

Alternatively or additionally, to increase the spring force, a coiled auxiliary spring with two projecting ends can be mounted on the base, with the one end engaging on the base and the other end engaging on the underside of the respective leaf spring or on the toe rest.

In a further variant of the embodiment according to the disclosed subject matter with a support slide, the coiled auxiliary spring is mounted on the support slide with two projecting ends, the one end engaging on the support slide or on the base and the other end engaging on the underside of the respective leaf spring or on the toe rest.

In each of the embodiments mentioned, according to a further optional feature of the disclosed subject matter, the base can be equipped with a pull rope with a hand grip on its side facing the toe rest. This allows the user to additionally pull against the standing surface in order to counteract the counterforce applied by the leaf spring with increased body tension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed subject matter is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the device of the disclosed subject matter in a plan view (FIG. 1) and in a cross-section (FIG. 2) along the section line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the device of the disclosed subject matter in a plan view;

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the device of the disclosed subject matter in a schematic side view; and

FIGS. 5-7 show a fourth embodiment of the device of the disclosed subject matter in a plan view (FIG. 5), in a cross-section (FIG. 6) along the section line VI-VI of FIG. 5 and in a rear view (FIG. 7).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a device 1 for training the muscles of the feet. The device 1 has a base 2, e.g. a frame or other supporting structure which on its underside is placed flat or via supports 3 on the floor 4. On its upper face the base 2 is provided with a standing surface 5 for the soles of the feet—from the heels up to the balls of the feet—of a user standing thereon.

In the example shown, the standing surface 5 is formed by two spaced apart standing plates 6, 7. Users stand with their left foot on the left standing plate 6 and with their right foot on the right standing plate 7, in each case from the heel to the balls of their feet. The standing surface 5 or the standing plates 6, 7 thus each have a heel region 8 and a ball region 9.

A toe rest 10 is arranged next to the ball region 9 of the standing surface 5, on which the user's toes rest when standing on the standing surface 5. The toe rest 10 can be a crossbar for example, whose upper side is slightly above the plane E of the standing surface 5, so that users have to angle their toes slightly upwards in the resting or starting position. In the example shown, the toe rest 10 is a crossbar with an approximately round cross-section. A sleeve 12, 13 is optionally rotatably mounted on each end of the crossbar 11. The sleeves 12, 13 can be provided with a non-slip covering, such as foam or rubber, as can the standing surface 5 and/or the standing plates 6, 7.

The toe support 10 (here: the cross bar 11) is movably mounted on the base 2 via at least one (here: two) leaf spring/s 14, 15. The toe support 10 can thus be pressed down by the user by means of the toes from the initial position or position of rest shown in FIG. 2 by solid lines into an actuating position shown in FIG. 2 by dashed lines. In detail, the toe rest 10 is arranged at the freely projecting “ball-side” ends 16 of the leaf springs 14, 15 projecting from the standing surface 5, while the opposite “heel-side” ends 17 of the leaf springs 14, 15 are fixed to the base 2.

In the example shown, the leaf springs 14, 15 extend in the intermediate space between the standing plates 6, 7. However, if the standing surface 5 forms a continuous surface for example, the leaf springs 14, 15 could also extend below the standing surface 5 in a corresponding recess of the base 2.

The ball-side ends 16 of the leaf springs 14, 15 can be connected rigidly to the toe support 10 in any manner, e.g. plugged, screwed, riveted, glued, welded etc., can even be made in one piece with the toe support 10. In the example shown, the ball-side ends 16 of the leaf springs 14, 15 pass diametrically through the cross bar 11 and are welded to the latter at 18.

The heel-side ends 17 of the leaf springs 14, 15 are clamped or screwed securely in a clamp 19 of the base 2 by means of screws 20. Alternatively, they can be fixed to the base 2 in any other way, e.g. plugged, screwed, riveted, glued, welded etc.

The leaf springs 14, 15 can cantilever freely from their fixed heel-side ends 17. If desired, they could then also be shorter than the longitudinal extension of the standing surface 5 from the heel region 8 to the balls of the feet, e.g. only half as long or a third as long. For this purpose, the clamp 19 could for example be located in the middle or closer to the region of the balls of the feet 9 of the standing surface 5. In the example shown however, the leaf springs 14, 15 extend over the entire length of the standing surface 5 or standing plates 6, 7 from their heel region 8 to the region of the balls of the feet 9 and beyond to the toe support 10.

In their central region, i.e. between the ends 16, 17, the leaf springs 14, 15 are optionally supported on a support slide 21, which is mounted on the base 2 so as to be adjustable in longitudinal direction R of the leaf springs 14, 15. For example, the support slide 21 bears on a sliding guide 22 of the base 2 and can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction R of the leaf springs 14, 15 using a threaded spindle 23. The threaded spindle 23 engages for example in a threaded hole 24 of the support slide 21, is rotatably mounted in a bearing 25 of the base 2 and projects outwards from the base 2, where it can be provided with a knurled wheel 26, ball head, internal or external hexagon etc. in order to be able to turn it easily.

The support slide 21 is rounded on its upper face towards toe support 10 at 27, whereby the leaf springs 14, 15 follow the rounding 27 of the support slide 21 when the toe support 10 is pressed down, see FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the leaf springs 14, 15 are inclined in their position of rest at an angle a of around 15° to the standing surface 5, and downwards towards the toe support 10. As a result, in its starting position, the upper end of the cross bar 11, when the leaf springs 14, 15 are radially attached to it, is not too far above the plane E of the standing surface 5, so that users do not have to angle their toes upwards too much in the starting position. In order to adjust the support slide 21 parallel to the longitudinal direction R of the leaf springs 14, 15, the guiding surface 22 is inclined at the same angle α. In general terms, the angle α can be in the range of 0°-30°, in the range of 5°-30°, or in the range of 10°-20°, e.g. around 15°.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1, wherein only the differences from the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be discussed in the following. Instead of two leaf springs 14, 15 here a single central leaf spring 14 is provided which is positioned between the two standing plates 6, 7. An eyelet 28 for anchoring a pull rope with a hand grip (not shown) is formed in a tab 29 projecting from the base 2 below the toe support 10. Alternatively, the tab 29 could also be attached to the toe support 10. By means of the pull rope users can also pull themselves against the device 1 when standing on the standing surface 5.

FIG. 4 shows schematically a third embodiment of the device 1. The (at least) one leaf spring 14 extends here approximately horizontally (α=0). Below the leaf spring 14, an auxiliary spring 30 is wound onto a cross pin 31 of the support slide 21, and such that it has two oppositely projecting ends 32, 33. The one end 32 is fixed to the base 2, e.g. sliding in a slot 34, whilst the other end 33 bears on the underside of the leaf spring 14 and thus reinforces its spring force. Alternatively, the other end 33 could engage directly with the toe support 10. It is also possible to mount the auxiliary leaf spring 30 directly on the base 2, especially if no support slide 21 is provided.

FIGS. 5-7 show a fourth embodiment of the device 1, here again with (at least) one leaf spring 14, which is horizontal (α=0). The leaf spring 14 is clamped at its heel-side end 17 in the clamp 19 of the base 2 with washers 34 placed in between, so that a gap 35 remains above and a gap 36 remains below in the clamp 19.

An auxiliary leaf spring 37 is inserted by sliding into the gap 35. The auxiliary leaf spring 37 bears by sliding on the leaf spring 14 and is mounted with its ball-side end 16 on the toe support 10. Leaf spring 14 and the overlying auxiliary leaf spring 37 thus form a spring assembly.

It should be noted that more than one auxiliary leaf spring 37 can be provided and that these can extend both above and below the leaf spring 14. It is particularly advantageous, if the auxiliary leaf springs 37 are located above the leaf spring 14, as this results in fewer slip-stick effects between the springs of the leaf spring assembly when they are pressed down (see FIG. 2).

In general terms, the heel-side end 17 of the auxiliary leaf spring/s 37 can be guided in a sliding manner in a sliding guide of the base 2, or also directly on the respectively assigned leaf spring 14 or 15, e.g. by means of a holding ring 38 (FIGS. 1-3), which grips around the respective leaf spring 14, 15. Also the auxiliary leaf spring 37 could be fixed with its heel-side end to the base 2 and guided in a sliding manner with its ball-side end on the respective leaf spring 14, 15.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 3-7 the leaf springs 14, 15 which extend approximately horizontally and parallel to the standing surface 5 in the position of rest, can lie with their optional auxiliary leaf springs 37 approximately at the level of plane E of the standing surface 5, below or above it.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the base 2 can be provided with a left and a right eyelet 28 for anchoring a hand grip pull rope via a pull rope triangle. The two eyelets 28 are located e.g. close to the region of the balls of the feet 9 of the standing surface 5. Instead of a threaded spindle 23 a push rod 39 is provided here for adjusting the support slide 21, which protrudes from the base 2 and can be actuated there via a ball head 40.

All leaf springs 14, 15, auxiliary springs 30 and auxiliary leaf springs 37 can be made of any elastically deformable material, e.g. flexible plastic, spring steel, stainless spring steel or titanium spring steel. All other components of the device 1 can be made of any other material, for example metal, wood and/or plastic.

The disclosed subject matter is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes all variants, modifications and combinations thereof that fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A device for training muscles of a sole of a foot, the device comprising a base, an upper face of which provides a standing surface for both soles of the feet from heels to balls of the feet, and a toe support, which is movably arranged on the base adjacent to a ball region of the standing surface, wherein the toe support is arranged at one end of at least one projecting leaf spring, the other end of which is secured to the base, wherein, in a central region of the at least one leaf spring, the at least one leaf spring is supported on a support slide which is mounted on the base in a manner adjustable in longitudinal direction of the leaf spring/s.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said other end is fixed to the base close to a heel region of the standing surface.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein an upper face of the support slide slopes downwards towards the toe support.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support slide can be adjusted by means of a threaded spindle rotatably mounted on the base.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the standing surface is formed by two spaced apart standing plates, between which the at least one leaf spring extends from the heel region to the ball region and beyond.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein two leaf springs are provided extending in parallel next to one another.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the toe support is formed by a cross bar which is mounted in a center of the cross bar on the at least one leaf spring.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein a sleeve is rotatably mounted on each of two ends of the cross bar.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the sleeves are provided with a non-slip coating.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein each leaf spring in a position of rest extends parallel to the standing surface.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein each leaf spring in a position of rest is inclined downwards at an angle α of 5° to 30°, relative to the standing surface in the direction of the toe support.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein each leaf spring is combined with at least one auxiliary leaf spring to form a leaf spring assembly.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein each auxiliary leaf spring is mounted with one end on the toe support and is guided in a sliding manner with an other end on the respective leaf spring or in a sliding guide of the base.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein a coiled auxiliary spring with two projecting ends is mounted on the base, and wherein one of the two projecting ends engages on the base and the other one of the two projecting ends engages on the underside of the respective leaf spring or on the toe support.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein a coiled auxiliary spring with two projecting ends is mounted on the support slide, and wherein one of the two projecting ends engages on the support slide or on the base and the other one of the two projecting ends engages on the underside of the respective leaf spring or on the toe support.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with a pull rope with a hand grip on a side facing the toe support.

17. The device according to claim 3, wherein the upper face of the support slide slopes downwards towards the toe support with a rounded form.

18. The device according to claim 10, wherein each leaf spring in the position of rest extends beyond the standing surface.

19. The device according to claim 11, wherein each leaf spring in the position of rest is inclined downwards at an angle α of 10° to 20° relative to the standing surface in the direction of the toe support.

20. The device according to claim 11, wherein each leaf spring in the position of rest is inclined downwards at an angle α of 15° relative to the standing surface in the direction of the toe support.