Patent Application
20240424340
While there are many exercise devices such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,368. However, most are not compact, lightweight, and portable like the present subject matter. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,368, the device requires plantarflexion by pushing the foot against resistance at the distal end of the lower leg.
The Foot Exercise Device found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,368 results in the user's gluteus maximus and quadriceps muscles performing some or most of the work because the user tends to push down on the entire leg instead of performing plantarflexion exclusively. This causes less effective isolation and exercise for the soleus muscle.
Furthermore, the proximal end of the lower leg is not fixed so while attempting to perform plantarflexion by pushing down on the foot, part of the work intended for the soleus muscle is lost because the knee/thigh moves up against no resistance.
Without the knee/thigh fixed to the resistance mechanism, its motion is the path of least resistance. This results in a percentage of the work performed to produce plantarflexion by the soleus muscle being lost in upward knee/thigh motion against no resistance.
Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,171,219 and 6,132,342 are not lightweight, compact, and portable compared to the present subject matter. They also do not isolate the soleus muscle because the knee is not bent at a near 90-degree angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,342 requires pushing the foot against a fixed footstool at the distal end of the lower leg. The prior art requires pushing against the footstool at a particular angle where the thighs/legs result in the user's gluteus maximus and quadriceps muscles perform most of the work because the user tends to push down on the entire leg instead of performing plantarflexion exclusively. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,342 works more like a leg press machine that targets the gluteus maximus and quadriceps. The result is less effective isolation and exercise for the soleus muscle.
Additionally, even if the exercise is performed with the knee bent to about 90 degrees and plantarflexion is performed with the foot to isolate the soleus muscle, part of the work intended for the soleus muscle is lost because the knee/thigh moves up against no resistance. Without the knee/thigh fixed to the resistance mechanism, its motion is the path of least resistance. This results in a percentage of the work performed to produce plantarflexion by the soleus muscle being lost in upward knee/thigh motion against no resistance.
An additional drawback of this device is that using the rocking chair as resistance does not produce enough resistance for the soleus muscle to work against because very little resistance is required to move the rocking chair backward.
Like other prior art in the field, EP 0,205,018 is not lightweight, compact, and portable. EP 0,205,018 requires plantarflexion by pushing the foot against resistance at the distal end of the lower leg. The drawback of the Leg Exerciser is that plantarflexion against moveable resistance at the foot results in the user's gluteus maximus and quadriceps muscles performing some or most of the work because the user tends to push down on the entire leg instead of performing plantarflexion exclusively. The result is less effective isolation and exercise for the soleus muscle.
The proximal end of the lower leg is not fixed so while attempting to perform plantarflexion by pushing down on the foot, part of the work intended for the soleus muscle is lost because the knee/thigh moves up against no resistance. Without the knee/thigh fixed to the resistance mechanism, its motion is the path of least resistance. This results in a percentage of the work performed to produce plantarflexion for the soleus muscle being lost in upward knee/thigh motion against no resistance.
EP 1,304,144 is not a lightweight, compact, or portable soleus muscle exercising device compared to the present subject matter. This device requires plantarflexion by pushing the foot against resistance at the distal end of the lower leg. The drawback of the Passenger Seat device is that plantarflexion against the moveable resistance at the foot results in the user's gluteus maximus and quadriceps muscles performing some or most of the work because the user tends to push down on the entire leg instead of performing plantarflexion exclusively. The result is less effective isolation and exercise for the soleus muscle.
The proximal end of the lower leg on prior art EP 1,304,144 is not fixed so while attempting to perform plantarflexion by pushing down on the foot, part of the work intended for the soleus muscle is lost because the knee/thigh moves up against no resistance. Without the knee/thigh fixed to the resistance mechanism, its motion is the path of least resistance. This results in a percentage of the work performed by the soleus muscle to be lost in upward knee/thigh motion against no resistance.
The soleus pump of US 2003/0060339 is again not lightweight, compact, or portable like the present subject matter. This prior art requires plantarflexion by pushing the foot against resistance at the distal end of the lower leg. The drawback of the Soleus Pump is that plantarflexion against moveable resistance at the foot results in the user's gluteus maximus and quadriceps muscles performing some or most of the work because the user tends to push down on the entire leg instead of performing plantarflexion exclusively. The result is less effective isolation and exercise of the soleus muscle.
Like other prior art, the proximal end of the lower leg in US 2003/0060339 is not fixed so while attempting to perform plantarflexion by pushing down on the foot, part of the work intended for the soleus muscle is lost because the knee/thigh moves up against no resistance. Without the knee/thigh fixed to the resistance mechanism, its motion is the path of least resistance. This results in a percentage of the work performed to produce plantarflexion for soleus muscle being lost in upward knee/thigh motion against no resistance.
Prolonged sitting is harmful, however, hospital patients, airline pilots/passengers, the elderly with limited mobility and office workers have few good choices of exercise options to increase blood flow. Medical research has linked prolonged sitting with higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and depression. Muscle and joint issues are also a significant concern.
The average person sits 7-12 hours a day. A majority of working Americans have jobs that require them to sit. Office workers spend almost 75% of their waking hours sitting. Sitting for 8 hours a day or more increases the odds of the previously mentioned diseases.
Metabolism also slows down 90% after 30 minutes of sitting. Enzymes that remove bad fat from your blood stream are inhibited after extended periods of sitting. After just two hours of sitting good cholesterol drops 20 percent. Extended periods of sitting also increases risks of swelling, blot clots, and varicose veins in the legs.
A simply way to exercise the calf muscles and more specifically, the soleus muscles, in the sitting position at a light to moderate resistance level for people who have little choice but to sit for prolonged periods of time has been shown to improve metabolic health in the rest of the body. Research has also shown that individuals that engage in soleus muscle exercises throughout the day experience improvements in blood sugar regulation.
The present subject matter device is the only device that effectively isolates the soleus muscle. It is an improvement on the prior art because it is designed to target only the soleus muscle with no ability for the user to “cheat” by using compensating techniques (such as lifting the knee/thigh against no resistance or using other muscles such as the gluteus maximus and quadriceps) that takes work off the soleus muscle.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.
As described herein, the term “pivotally connected” shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more identified objects are joined together in a manner that allows one or both of the objects to pivot, and/or rotate about or in relation to the other object in either a horizontal or vertical manner.
As described herein, the term “removably coupled” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
In addition, it should be understood that embodiments of the invention include both hardware and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic based aspects of the invention may be implemented in software. As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components may be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and that other alternative mechanical configurations are possible.
The present subject matter comprises of four main elements, the footplate, thigh strap, resistance mechanism, and hardware. The footplate goes on the distal end of the lower leg and is placed below the user's foot. The footplate provides a stable surface to hold the resistance mechanism. Additionally, the footplate raises the front of the foot so the soleus muscle can be better targeted by allowing increased range of motion of the ankle joint while exercising.
The thigh strap goes on the proximal end of the lower leg which is placed on the front of the thigh near the knee. The user then sits with knee bent between 50 to 130 degrees. The thigh strap is then connected to the resistance mechanism. This allows the soleus muscle to work against resistance when plantarflexion of the foot (a heel lift motion) is performed.
The resistance mechanism connects to the footplate on the distal end of the lower leg and the thigh strap placed on the user's thigh on the proximal end of the lower leg. The resistance mechanism provides resistance for the soleus muscle to work against.
The present subject matter currently uses D-ring loops on the ends of the thigh strap that connects with carabiners. The carabiners also connect to ball and lock mechanisms. The ball and lock mechanisms connect to the resistance band and allow the length and tension of the resistance band to be adjusted.
In some embodiments the footplate is fixed at 10 degrees of elevation in front. The resistance mechanism attaches to the footplate by going through the middle of the footplate.
In some embodiments the footplate can be redesigned such that the resistance mechanism goes under the footplate or attaches to “hooks”, “buckles” or “loops” on the sides of the footplate.
In some embodiments the footplate can also be redesigned to be fixed at different elevations from 0 to 30 degrees. It can also be redesigned to be adjustable from 0 to 30 degrees.
In some embodiments, the present subject matter can be designed to be used with both feet simultaneously.
In some embodiments, the footplate is constructed from plastic, metal, or wood.
In some embodiments, the footplate is wrapped in non-skid synthetic rubber but can be designed with non-skid cork or other non-skid materials.
In some embodiments, the thigh strap is 1 to 4 inches wide and the usable length is 8 to 30 inches. The thigh strap may also include padding or non-slip material on the side touching the user's thigh. The thigh strap may also be of an adjustable length which uses a hook and loop or buckle mechanism. The thigh strap may also be made from solid material like plastic or metal instead of webbing.
In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism includes a 1 to 4 inch wide by 10 to 60-inch-long exercise resistance band made from an elastic material such as latex or rubber.
In some embodiments, the elastic resistance band may have different widths and shapes like tube resistance bands, fabric resistance bands, and light therapy resistance bands. Different resistance mechanisms may also be included such as steel springs.
In some embodiments, hardware is used to connect the footplate, thigh strap, and resistance mechanism. The product may use 2 D-ring loops, 2 carabiners, and 2 ball lock mechanisms.
In some embodiments, the hardware may be replaced with 2 buckles. The buckles attach to the thigh strap on one end and the resistance mechanism on the opposite end. The buckles allow the resistance mechanism to be adjustable in length and tension.
The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation.
The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom.
