Method and apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements

• US 10,639,518 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2017
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kent Fulks
• Original Assignee: Kent Fulks
• Inventors: Fulks, Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Andrew S
• Application Number:
  US15/810,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20180064985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 905 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0266 Foot
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1253 driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1633 Seat A61H2201/0149 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0431 in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0094 for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4049 Rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/16 Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like exercising apparatus with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0056; other exercising apparatus for improving balance A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/08 for ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/10 for feet or toes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 Leg restraining devices

Abstract

Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements has a main-frame with a seat and upwardly extending columns at either side to support a “U” shaped sub-frame, mounted so that it pivots about a horizontal axis passing very nearly through the ankles of a seated user and interconnecting linkages simultaneously enforcing ankle inversion, with plantarflexion and then ankle aversion, with dorsiflexion, about perpendicularly intersecting axes, while resisting such movements, so as to provide bidirectional ankle exercises according to a progressive resistance program, thus strengthening the ankle muscle groups for enhanced balance and dynamic stability.

Claims

1. Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising:

a main-frame including a base and at least one upwardly extending frame support;

a sub-frame including a cross member which pivots parallelly about a horizontal first axis passing transversely at or near the ankles of a user;

at least one pedal member mounted to the sub-frame cross member for pivotal movement about a second axis, substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the horizontal first axis;

a motion transfer link connecting said main-frame to said at least one pedal, whereby pivotal movement of the at least one pedal member about the first axis will simultaneously force pivotal movement of the pedal member about its respective second axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a support for positioning a user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

an incrementally adjustable resistance opposing pivotal movement of the sub-frame in a downward direction, so that selected ankle exercise forces may be exerted against the at least one pedal member for downward movement of the sub-frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said seat comprises a height and wherein said seat support is vertically adjustable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a lever for manually effecting movement of the at least one pedal member about the first and second axes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

an incrementally adjustable resistance opposing such simultaneous pivotal movement of the sub-frame about the first and second axis, so that an exercise force must be exerted therefor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one pedal member comprises a right and left pedal members, and an interconnected linkage coupling said right and left pedal members so that the right and left pedal members are caused to pivot in opposite directions.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising

a thigh constraining member to prevent upper leg participation in ankle exercise movements.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

an incrementally adjustable resistance opposing pivotal movement of the sub-frame in an upward direction, so that selected ankle exercise forces may be exerted upwardly against the at least one pedal member for upward pivotal movement.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upwardly extending frame support comprises two upwardly extending frame supports at both sides thereof.

11. Apparatus for bi-directional ankle exercise movements, comprising:

a main-frame including a generally symmetrical base and side supports extending upwardly at each side thereof to provide for a horizontal first axis passing therethrough at the approximate location of a user'"'"'s ankles;

a first sub-frame comprising a cross-bar located forward of the horizontal first axis, said first sub-frame being mounted to pivot up and down about the horizontal first axis;

at least one pedal member mounted to the sub-frame cross-bar on a second axis, so as to pivot in symmetrical inversion and eversion movements, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the first axis;

a motion transfer linkage connecting said main-frame to said at least one pedal, whereby pivotal movement of the cross-bar about the horizontal axis simultaneously forces pivotal movement of the pedal member about its second axis.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising:

a resisting force opposing pivotal movement of the cross-bar, so that an exercise force must be exerted therefor.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a lever for manually effecting movement of the at least one pedal member about the first and second axes.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising:

an incrementally adjustable resistance opposing such simultaneous pivotal movement of the sub-frame about the first and second axes, so that an exercise force must be exerted therefor.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a foot restraining member to provide for ankle exercise forces exerted for upward movement of the sub-frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising a thigh constraining members to prevent upper leg participation in ankle exercise movements.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising:

an incrementally adjustable resistance opposing pivotal movement of the sub-frame in an upward direction, so that selected ankle exercise forces may be exerted upwardly against the at least one pedal member for upward pivotal movement.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a centrally mounted seat for supporting a user.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said at least one pedal member comprises a right and left pedal members, and an interconnected linkage coupling said right and left pedal members so that the right and left pedal members are caused to pivot in opposite directions.