Structure and method for increasing proprioceptive demands on foot, ankle and lower leg

• US 20050170935A1
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Karl Manser
• Original Assignee: Karl Manser
• Inventors: Manser, Karl
• Application Number:
  US10/772,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170935A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1284 using own weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/169 Physical characteristics of the surface, e.g. material, relief, texture or indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1692 Enhanced rubbing effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1695 Enhanced pressure effect, e.g. substantially sharp projections, needles or pyramids
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• 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

Abstract

An exercise surface for increasing the proprioceptive demands on the foot, ankle and lower leg. The exercise surface includes a plurality of projections extending upward therefrom, and is adapted for use as an exercise mat or a treadmill belt.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a base having a plurality of projections extending upward from the base; and

at least one removable overlay having a thickness and apertures corresponding to the plurality of projections.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of projections have different heights.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of projections have a different modulus of elasticity.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two removable overlays having different respective thicknesses.

5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein there are three removable overlays having different respective thicknesses.

6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the respective thicknesses of the three removable overlays are ¼

inch, ½

inch and 1 inch.

7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections are randomly spaced.

8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a surface treatment covering at least one of the base and the plurality of projections.

9. A belt kit for a treadmill, the belt kit comprising:

at least two belts dimensioned for use on the treadmill, the at least two belts each comprising a base having a plurality of projections extending upward from the base,

wherein the at least two belts are different from each other in at least one of a size of the plurality of projections and a surface treatment.

10. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein at least two of the plurality of projections on one of the at least two belts have different heights.

11. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein at least two of the plurality of projections on one of the at least two belts have a different modulus of elasticity.

12. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of projections of one of the at least two belts are different in height than the plurality of projections of a second of the at least two belts.

13. The belt kit according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of projections of one of the at least two belts has a different modulus of elasticity than the plurality of projections of a second of the at least two belts.

14. An exercise system comprising:

at least two exercise mats, the at least two exercise mats each comprising a base having a plurality of projections extending upward from the base, and

wherein the at least two exercise mats are different from each other in at least one of a size of the plurality of projections and a surface treatment.

15. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein at least two of the plurality of projections on one of the at least two exercise mats have different heights.

16. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein at least two of the plurality of projections on one of the at least two exercise mats have a different modulus of elasticity.

17. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of projections of one of the at least two exercise mats are different in height than the plurality of projections of a second of the at least two exercise mats.

18. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of projections of one of the at least two exercise mats has a different modulus of elasticity than the plurality of projections of a second of the at least two exercise mats.