Resistive therapeutic device and methods of making and using the same
First Claim
1. A device for strengthening a user'"'"'s leg and foot muscles, the device comprising:
- a foot receiving pedal comprising a pair of rear brackets and a pair of front brackets;
a calf support comprising;
a pair of parallel braces comprising a top end and a bottom end;
a band configured at the top end of the pair of braces, configured to extend at least partially about the user'"'"'s leg, behind a knee;
an adaptor comprising a plurality of aligned holes configured on each brace;
wherein a bottom end of each brace pivotally attaches to a rear bracket to form a joint;
a pair of springs, each spring attaching between the front brackets of the pedal and a hole of the adaptor;
wherein the springs provide variable resistance when the pedal is moved in an upward and downward direction about a pivot pin at the joint relative to the support, wherein the pivot pin is positioned such that the pedal pivots about an axis passing approximately through a user'"'"'s ankle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a device that can be used to exercise and/or strengthen the muscles of the foot, ankle, and/or leg of a user. The device includes foot-receiving pedal that is sized and shaped to provide support for a user'"'"'s foot or shoe. The pedal includes a first pair of brackets positioned at the rear of the pedal that allow connection to the support at a joint. The support can include a band that rests against the user'"'"'s leg to provide comfort during use. The joint allows the pedal to move relative to the support. One or more resistive elements (e.g., springs) attach the support to a second pair of brackets positioned at the front portion of the pedal to provide resistance to the movement of the joint. The support includes an adapter that allows the attachment of the springs to be modified to vary resistance and/or be customized to a user'"'"'s particular leg shape or length.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for strengthening a user'"'"'s leg and foot muscles, the device comprising:
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a foot receiving pedal comprising a pair of rear brackets and a pair of front brackets; a calf support comprising; a pair of parallel braces comprising a top end and a bottom end; a band configured at the top end of the pair of braces, configured to extend at least partially about the user'"'"'s leg, behind a knee; an adaptor comprising a plurality of aligned holes configured on each brace; wherein a bottom end of each brace pivotally attaches to a rear bracket to form a joint; a pair of springs, each spring attaching between the front brackets of the pedal and a hole of the adaptor; wherein the springs provide variable resistance when the pedal is moved in an upward and downward direction about a pivot pin at the joint relative to the support, wherein the pivot pin is positioned such that the pedal pivots about an axis passing approximately through a user'"'"'s ankle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of strengthening a user'"'"'s foot and leg muscles, the method comprising:
positioning a user'"'"'s foot on a foot-receiving pedal of a device comprising; a foot receiving pedal comprising a pair of rear brackets and a pair of front brackets; a calf support comprising; a pair of parallel braces comprising a top end and a bottom end; a band configured at the top end of the pair of braces, configured to extend at least partially about a user'"'"'s leg, behind a knee; an adaptor comprising a plurality of aligned holes configured on each brace; wherein a bottom end of each brace pivotally attaches to a rear bracket to form a joint; a pair of springs, each spring attaching between the front brackets of the pedal and a hole of the adaptor; wherein the springs provide variable resistance when the pedal is moved in an upward and downward direction about a pivot pin at the joint relative to the support, wherein the pivot pin is positioned such that the pedal pivots about an axis passing approximately through the user'"'"'s ankle; raising and lowering a front portion of the user'"'"'s foot by overcoming the resistance of the springs, whereby the user'"'"'s foot and leg muscles are strengthened. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification