Patent Application
20130239440
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to a removable attachment placed onto a users shoe to improve their form, challenge their physical abilities, and improve their physical fitness during exercise. Specifically, the disclosed device easily attaches to the users shoe to place the foot in a declined position raising the toes above the heel of the user when doing specific exercises. This device includes multiple attachments to vary the slope of the decline and provide for other uses for specific physical exercise activities based upon the attachment used.
The benefits of placing the foot in a declined position are well known. The prior art shows several varying models and styles of footwear that place the foot in this declined position. This art is directed to footwear for everyday use and towards an entire shoe. However, this prior art is not specifically designed for exercise, is not removable, and is not adaptable to varying exercises. Therefore, there is a need for a removable device used for exercise that places the foot in an declined position with the toes raised relative to the heel.
The present invention provides a removable exercise attachment to the footwear of the user. This device is easily strapped onto the forefoot portion of a users existing shoe and includes a base. The base conforms to the bottom forefoot portion of the users shoe and is constructed out of a durable and resilient material. The lower part of the base includes an accessory engagement groove that allows for the attachment of various accessories. Preferably this groove extends the width of the base perpendicular to the length of the shoe and is of a common dovetail variety.
The accessory will have a projection corresponding to the shape of the accessory engagement groove to allow the accessory to be engaged with the base. Preferably, the accessory is slidably received within the dovetail groove of the accessory engagement groove. A multitude of interchangeable accessories are available for various types of exercises, level of activity, and requirements for the proper form of the exercise to be completed. Anticipated accessories are a wheel with varying heights and different shapes, materials, and heights of sole.
In an alternate embodiment the base will be constructed directly into the sole of the forefoot portion on the shoe. This shoe will be specifically designed for use with the various accessories and provide an alternative to the removable device.
In use for a given activity, a user will determine the exercise to be completed choose the proper accessory for the given exercise, affix the accessory to the base, and then affix the base to the forefoot portion of the shoe using the strap. The user will then complete the exercise remove the base from the shoe and continue their normal workout. The various accessories will aide in the completion and execution of specific exercises. For example a user intending to complete “mountain climbers,” an exercise were the user places their extended arms palms downward on the floor and supports themselves in the prone position, and extends their legs rearward, alternating each leg, will use a wheel accessory. This wheel accessory will ensure that the user uses the proper form by keeping their body low and feet in contact with the floor engaging their core muscles and preventing the user from jumping or putting added strain on their joints.
A user intending to a do a basic squat or lunge exercise will select an accessory with a heightened sole. This heightened sole will force the user to use the preferred and proper form by raising the user's toes and forcing the user's heel into the ground. This will allow the user to work the proper muscles during this exercise and minimize any potential injury by ensuring the user is in the proper anatomical position.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to further explain the principles of the invention. Other aspects of the invention and the advantages of the invention will be better appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the Detailed Description when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings, and wherein:
Referring now to
Additionally, an additional strap 103 may be used to secure the device 100 to the shoe 10 heel by extending parallel to the sole and around the heel of the shoe 10 with each end of the strap 103 affixed to an edge of the device 100.
The base 101 top side provides a platform in communication with the sole of the shoe and has a width and length to accommodate the forefoot portion of a shoe substantially encompassing the forward or toe portion of the shoe. The base 101 top side may include an anti-skid portion in communication with the sole of the shoe 10 to prevent slippage during use.
The base 101 bottom side includes the accessory engagement groove 102 and a central aperture 105. The accessory engagement groove 102 extends the width of the base perpendicular to the length of the shoe 10 and receives a pin 201 present on the accessory 200. The accessory engagement groove may have a lip present on an end to ensure that accessory 200 is fully engaged in the base 101. The preferred shape of the accessory engagement groove 102 is a dovetail shape to securely hold the accessory 200 and distribute the forces of exercise throughout the base 101. The central aperture 105 is located central to the base 101 bottom side and is designed to receive a raised detent 208 present on the accessory 200 top. Preferably the base 101 is constructed out of a durable moldable plastic for its cost, durability, and flexibility and includes two accessory engagement grooves 102.
The accessory 200 includes the pin 201 and raised detent 208 on its top edge. The pin 201 is shaped to correspond to and be slidably received in the accessory engagement groove 102. Preferably the pin 201 is tail shaped to be received in the dovetail shaped accessory engagement groove 102. The raised detent 208 is shaped to correspond to and be received in the central aperture 105. The raised detent 208 provides confirmation and security to the user to ensure the accessory 200 is properly seated in the base 101. Preferably the raised detent 208 is spring loaded to allow the user to easily disengage the raised detent 208 from the central aperture 105.
The accessory 200 may include a wheel 207 or a solid bottom 203. The wheel 207 is provided in varying sizes and heights for various exercises, as shown in a short wheel accessory 206 and a larger wheel accessory 202. The solid bottom accessory 203 is available in several different sizes, shapes, and materials to allow customization by the user for specific exercises as seen in a small solid bottom accessory 204, a short solid bottom accessory 205, and a pointed solid bottom accessory 209. All of the various accessories are easily interchangeable for various exercises and workouts. Although several various and different accessories are disclosed, there are several other configurations, materials, and shapes that may be used. Various materials may be rubber, foam, plastic, an air bladder, or other resilient and durable material.
In any given workout or exercise a specific type of accessory may be desired based upon the demands of the exercise or the body movements associated with that exercise. When doing a squat or lunge exercise it is desired that the users toes be positioned higher than the users heel to ensure proper form and reduce the strain on the users joints, therefore a user may use the solid bottom 203 accessory. Depending upon the user's ability they may wish to use a higher or lower decline by using an accessory such as the short sold bottom accessory 205. When doing an exercise that requires movement of the individual's legs they may prefer to use the wheel 202 accessory. This is especially desirable when doing an exercise such as a “mountain climber.” To vary the degree of difficulty of this type of exercise a user may wish to use the short wheel accessory 206 or the larger wheel accessory 202.
In use, a user will attach the device 100 to the forefoot of the toe portion of their shoe 10. To do this, a user will engage the top of the base 101 with the sole of the shoe 10 and securely affix the device 100 to the shoe 10 using the strap 103. The user will then select the appropriate accessory 200 for the workout and slidably engage the pin 201 in the accessory engagement groove 102. The user will ensure the accessory 200 is secure by aligning the raised detent 208 in the central aperture 105. To change accessories a user will press the raised detent 208 to disengage it from the central notch 105 and slide the accessory 200 off of the base 101.
Referring now to
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) but that the invention will include all embodiments falling with the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/611,235 filed 2012 Mar. 15 by the present inventor.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61611235 | Mar 2012 | US |
