Foot and Ankle Exercise Device

• US 20100317495A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products, Ltd.
• Inventors: DiGiovanni, Craig S., Patton, Blair R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,955,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/129
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/08 for ankle joints

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foot and ankle exercise device. The exercise device may include a foot strap, a pull strap, a handle, and a resistance band. The foot strap may be adjustable to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot. The pull strap may have a first end attached to the foot strap. The handle may be disposed on a second end of the pull strap and may be configured to allow the user to apply tension to the pull strap. The resistance band may be disposed on the pull strap between the first end and the second end of the pull strap.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a foot strap adjustable to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot;

an inelastic pull strap having a first end directly attached to the foot strap and a second end;

a handle disposed on a second end of the pull strap, the handle configured to allow the user to apply tension to the pull strap; and

an elastic resistance band disposed on the pull strap entirely between the first end and the second end of the pull strap.

2. An exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising an ankle safety strap.

3. An exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more comfort handles having a conical shape.

4. An exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising the resistance band attached in parallel to the pull strap.

5. An exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising:

the resistance band having two ends;

the resistance band attached in parallel to the pull strap; and

a connector between the pull strap and the resistance band located at each of the two ends of the resistance band, the connectors providing a maximum extension length for the resistance band;

wherein the maximum extension length for the resistance band is generally equivalent to the length of the pull strap disposed between the two ends of the resistance band.

6. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the length of the pull strap disposed between the two ends of the resistance band is adjustable.

7. An exercise device comprising:

a foot strap adjustable to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot;

a pull strap having a first end attached to the foot strap and a second end;

a handle disposed on a second end of the pull strap, the handle configured to allow the user to apply tension to the pull strap; and

a resistance band disposed on the pull strap between the first end and the second end of the pull strap;

the resistance band having two ends;

the resistance band attached in parallel to the pull strap; and

a connector between the pull strap and the resistance band located at each of the two ends of the resistance band, the connectors providing a maximum extension length for the resistance band;

wherein the maximum extension length for the resistance band is generally equivalent to the length of the pull strap disposed between the two ends of the resistance band;

wherein the resistance band includes a length of tube; and

wherein each connector includes;

a ball disposed with the length of tube; and

two sides fixed together to compress the resistance band around the ball disposed within the length of tube;

wherein the force exerted by the two sides against the resistance band and the ball resists any axial force exerted by the extension of the resistance band when the exercise device is used.

8. An exercise device comprising:

an inelastic pull strap having a first end and a second end;

a handle disposed on the first end of the pull strap, the handle configured to allow a user to apply tension to the pull strap;

an elastic resistance band disposed on the pull strap entirely between the first end and the second end of the pull strap;

a foot strap configured to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot; and

the foot strap directly connected to the second end of the pull strap by a connector configured to provide full freedom of rotation between the pull strap and the foot strap.

9. An exercise device according to claim 8, further comprising an ankle safety strap.

10. An exercise device according to claim 8, further comprising one or more comfort handles having a conical shape.

11. An exercise device according to claim 8, further comprising the elastic resistance band attached in parallel to the pull strap.

12. An exercise device according to claim 8, further comprising:

the elastic resistance band having two ends;

the elastic resistance band attached in parallel to the pull strap; and

a connection between the pull strap and the elastic resistance band located at each of the two ends of the resistance band, the connection providing a maximum extension length for the resistance band;

wherein the maximum extension length for the elastic resistance band is generally equivalent to the length of the pull strap disposed between the two ends of the elastic resistance band.

13. An exercise device according to claim 8, wherein the length of the pull strap disposed between the two ends of the resistance band is adjustable.

14. An exercise device comprising:

a pull strap having a first end and a second end;

a handle disposed on the first end of the pull strap, the handle configured to allow a user to apply tension to the pull strap;

an elastic resistance band disposed on the pull strap between the first end and the second end of the pull strap;

a foot strap configured to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot;

the foot strap connected to the second end of the pull strap by a connector configured to provide full freedom of rotation between the pull strap and the foot strap;

the elastic resistance band having two ends and a generally tubular shape;

the elastic resistance band attached in parallel to the pull strap; and

a connection between the pull strap and the elastic resistance band located at each of the two ends of the resistance band, the connection providing a maximum extension length for the resistance band;

wherein the maximum extension length for the elastic resistance band is generally equivalent to the length of the pull strap disposed between the two ends of the elastic resistance band.

wherein each connection includes;

a ball disposed within the elastic resistance band; and

two sides fixed together to compress the elastic resistance band around the ball disposed therein;

wherein the force exerted by the two sides against the elastic resistance band and the ball resists any axial force exerted by the extension of the elastic resistance band when the exercise device is used.

15. A method of using an exercise device, the method comprising:

engaging a foot strap to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot;

applying tension to a handle disposed on a pull strap, the pull strap having a first end attached to the foot strap and a second end including the handle; and

moving the user'"'"'s foot against the tension applied to the pull strap so as to stretch a resistance band disposed on the pull strap between the first end and the second end of the pull strap.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

engaging an ankle safety strap to secure the device to a user'"'"'s foot.

17-21. -21. (canceled)